Microsoft has officially scrapped its plan to restrict Exchange Online users to a daily maximum of 2,000 external recipients. This reversal follows significant pushback from customers who argued the restriction would disrupt legitimate business operations and bulk communication needs.
The decision to cancel the limit comes after the policy was originally introduced in early 2024 as a measure to combat spam and resource abuse. While the restriction was scheduled to take effect for existing accounts throughout 2025, Microsoft has now decided to set the plan aside indefinitely to prioritize user experience and operational continuity.
Customer feedback played a central role in this shift, with many organizations expressing that the 2,000-recipient cap created major hurdles for their daily workflows. The Exchange Team acknowledged these challenges, stating that they are now looking for alternative, more adaptive ways to secure the platform without causing unnecessary friction for their clients.
Despite the cancellation of this specific cap, existing protections remain in place to maintain service quality. Microsoft will continue to enforce its standard recipient rate of 10,000 per day and a tenant-wide external limit of 5,000 recipients, ensuring that while bulk sending is still possible, the system is protected from extreme overusage.
This move contrasts with the stricter approach taken by other major providers like Google, which has moved forward with rigorous authentication requirements for high-volume senders. While Google now mandates specific security protocols and one-click unsubscribe options for bulk mail, Microsoft is pivoting toward a more flexible strategy to balance security and usability for its business subscribers.
Source: Microsoft Cancels Plans To Rate Limit Exchange Online Bulk Emails