Diese Seite auf Deutsch anzeigen?
MailStore Software GmbH

“An error has occurred. Authentication failed (EWS)”

Microsoft Disables Basic Authentication for Microsoft 365 Customers Definitively

Some of our customers who are using Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online are currently receiving different error messages, all of which, however, have the same cause. On 1 October, Microsoft began disabling basic authentication for Microsoft 365 customers once and for all; from now on, support will be provided for modern authentication only. If you recall, we discussed this issue with you back in 2020. Needless to say, our software does remain fully compatible with Microsoft 365 and, in fact, has supported modern authentication since Version 13. So, going forward, you won’t have to miss out on the benefits of independent, third-party archiving.

If you’ve not yet switched to modern authentication and are getting error messages in MailStore, we’ll explain in this article how to fix the problem. The fix applies to both MailStore Server and the MailStore Service Provider Edition.

Possible Error Messages

At the moment, Microsoft 365 customers still using basic authentication may be receiving various error messages in MailStore Server. This is because Microsoft has begun disabling this form of authentication once and for all. Also affected are MSPs using the MailStore Service Provider Edition who are providing support to customers who are still using Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online via basic authentication.

The following issues/error messages can appear:

  • an-error-occured-authenticationUser synchronization and archiving profiles are not executed properly. These issues appear in the status reports as well.
  • “An error has occurred. Authentication failed (EWS). Check user name and password. If the password is correct, try specifying your UPN Logon (e.g. [email protected]) or DOMAIN\username in the user name field.”
  • error-unable-to-log-inMailStore was unable to log in to the server. Maybe your user name or password are wrong, or your account is currently disabled.”

Troubleshooting

The steps you need to run through in order to fix the problem depend on which version you’re using and, with regard to MailStore Server, whether you have an active Update & Support Service (USS). You’ll find the latter information on the start page of the MailStore Server Client or, in the case of the MailStore SPE, in the MailStore Management Console. Please follow the steps that correspond to your situation. If you need assistance from our technical support staff, you’ll need to have an active USS.

MailStore Server Customers Using Version 13 or a Later Version

If you’re using Version 13 or a later version, you already have a MailStore version that supports modern authentication.

MailStore Server Customers With Active Update & Support Service Using Version 12 or an Older Version

Versions older than Version 13 do not support modern authentication.

  • If you’re using Version 12 or an earlier version of MailStore Server and have an active Update & Support Service, please update your MailStore Server software first. Please take care to read the update notices as well.
  • After that, please follow the instructions provided under “MailStore Server customers using Version 13 or a later version” above.

MailStore Server Customers Without Active Update & Support Service Using Version 12 or an Older Version

If you’re using an obsolete version of MailStore Server, modern authentication will not be supported. In this case, please update your software and install the latest MailStore Server version.

  • If you do not have an active Update & Support Service (USS), you will first need to renew your USS in order to be able to install updates. Please contact our sales team at [email protected] and specify your product key to receive a quote for an upgrade. If you purchased MailStore Server from a reseller, please contact them.
  • Having reactivated your USS, please now update your MailStore Server software. Please take care to read the update notices as well.
  • After that, please follow the instructions provided under “MailStore Server customers using Version 13 or a later version” above.

MSPs Using the MailStore SPE

  • If you’re an MSP and you’re using the MailStore SPE, please check first which version of the MailStore SPE you are currently using. You can find this information on the start page of the Management Console. Please be aware that MSPs are required always to use the latest version of the MailStore SPE in order to receive technical support.
  • If you’re using the latest version of the MailStore SPE, please follow the instructions provided under “MailStore Server customers using Version 13 or a later version” above.

Why Is Basic Authentication Being Discontinued?

Switching to modern authentication ensures that your user accounts and the data they contain are much better protected than with basic authentication. What’s more, modern authentication can significantly improve the user experience. You will find more information on the history of authentication and the difference between basic and modern authentication in our blog post „Why You Should Use Modern Authentication with OAuth2 Right Now“.

Google Workspace

Google announced back in June 2020 that it intended to switch off “less secure app access” (Google’s equivalent of basic authentication) on Google Workspace accounts. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has postponed the event until further notice. Nevertheless, if you’re a Google Workspace customer, you should take a look at modern authentication right now to make sure MailStore and your other software works properly going forward. You will find more information on this subject in our help article: https://help.mailstore.com/en/server/index.php?title=Google_Workspace_Integration

MailStore Customers Intending to Migrate to Microsoft 365 Shortly

If you’re already a MailStore customer and are planning to switch from another email server to Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online in the near future, you won’t, of course, have to dispense with any of the benefits of independent third-party archiving you’ve been used to.

Just make sure that you’re running at least Version 13 (or better still, the latest version of MailStore!) and configure modern authentication (see the section “MailStore Server customers using Version 13 or a later version) in order to continue using your archive as usual. The Tech Tip below summarizes everything you need to know: Tech Tips: Migrating from Exchange Server to Microsoft 365

Summary

Microsoft is discontinuing basic authentication for Microsoft 365 customers definitively. For this reason, you can no longer use MailStore software with Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online via basic authentication, and will need to switch to modern authentication, which our software has supported since Version 13. Customers still using basic authentication must switch to modern authentication as a matter of urgency in order to continue using MailStore with Microsoft 365. In the following help article, we explain everything you need to look out for: https://help.mailstore.com/en/server/Archiving_Emails_from_Microsoft_365_-_Modern_Authentication

As described above, please be aware of your individual scenario. Google Workspace customers, too, should switch to modern authentication without delay as Google has already announced that it is switching off “less secure app access”.

Needless to say, our software remains compatible with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Read here to find out why we strongly recommend you to maintain an independent email archive even when using Microsoft 365: Archiving Emails in Microsoft Exchange 365. Google Workspace customers: read here to find more about why a third-party solution can make sense for you too.

 



Your reply