CodeTwo Backup freeware version FAQ

The new version of CodeTwo Backup is completely free to use. It also introduces some major changes:

• On-premises environments are no longer supported. If you need to continue backing up such environments, stay on your current version of CodeTwo Backup.
• The program uses Microsoft Graph instead of EWS to connect to Exchange Online. This ensures CodeTwo Backup continues to work now that Microsoft has begun disabling EWS in Exchange Online, a process that started on October 1, 2026.

Check the program’s version history for the complete list of changes.

See the FAQ below for more information about the freeware version.

1. Do I need to do anything now?
2. What happens to the previous, paid version after EWS retirement?
3. Will the new, freeware version continue to work after April 1, 2027?
4. Can I keep using the previous, paid version after my subscription expires?
5. Can I move my backups to another computer?
6. Will CodeTwo provide support for the freeware version?
7. Can I use the freeware version commercially?
8. Will you continue to develop CodeTwo Backup?
9. Will the previous, paid version continue to work with on-premises Exchange?
10. Will the previous, paid version remain available for download?
11. Does the new freeware version still support SharePoint Online?
12. What happens to my current paid subscription? Do I need to cancel it?
13. My Exchange Online backup/restore jobs stopped working after updating to the freeware version. What should I do?

1. Do I need to do anything now?

If you use CodeTwo Backup to back up or restore Exchange Online (Microsoft 365) data, such as mailboxes and public folders, we recommend updating to the latest freeware version. The new version uses Microsoft Graph instead of EWS, so there’s no need to wait until Microsoft retires EWS.

To update the program, simply download the latest version and install it on top of your current version. You existing settings and jobs are retained when upgrading, and your installation will automatically switch to the freeware version.

Next, you’ll need to reconfigure your existing connections to Exchange Online to use Microsoft Graph instead of EWS. See how to do that

If you use CodeTwo Backup with on-premises Exchange, stay on the previous version (2.5.x).

2. What happens to the previous, paid version after EWS retirement?

After April 1, 2027, the previous version (2.5.x) will no longer be able to back up or restore Exchange Online data.

Your existing backups will remain intact and can still be restored with the new, Graph-compatible version, even if they were created using EWS.

You can still use the previous version to back up and restore data in on-premises Exchange.

3. Will the new, freeware version continue to work after April 1, 2027?

Yes, the freeware version uses Microsoft Graph instead of EWS to connect to Exchange Online, so it will continue to back up and restore Exchange Online mailboxes and public folders after EWS is retired.

4. Can I keep using the previous, paid version after my subscription expires?

If you use the program to back up on-premises Exchange data (mailboxes and public folders), contact our Customer Success team to extend your subscription for another 5 years.

If you back up Exchange Online data (mailboxes and public folders), install the latest version, as described in FAQ 1. Your installation will automatically switch to freeware, and your existing backups will remain available for restore.

5. Can I move my existing backups to another computer?

Yes. You can archive your existing backups and import the archive on another computer. This allows you to move your backed-up data to a new installation of CodeTwo Backup. This applies whether you’re moving data between installations of the same version or from the previous EWS-based version to the new Graph-based version. 

6. Will CodeTwo provide support for the freeware version?

You’ll continue to receive support until your paid subscription expires. After that, technical support will not be available.

7. Can I use the freeware version commercially?

Yes, it can also be used for commercial purposes.

8. Will you continue to develop CodeTwo Backup?

We might release new versions, but our focus will be on other solutions.

9. Will the previous, paid version continue to work with on-premises Exchange? 

Yes, you can continue using the previous version (2.5.x) of CodeTwo Backup to back up and restore on-premises Exchange mailboxes and public folders.

However, we cannot guarantee that all features will continue to work if Microsoft introduces changes that affect the program’s functionality.

10. Will the previous, paid version remain available for download?

The previous version (2.5.x) of CodeTwo Backup, which supports on-premises Exchange, will remain available for download for now. You can download it using this link.

11. Does the new freeware version still support SharePoint Online?

Yes. CodeTwo Backup continues to support backing up and restoring SharePoint Online data. This functionality is not affected by Microsoft’s EWS retirement.

12. What happens to my current paid subscription? Do I need to cancel it?

You don’t need to cancel your existing subscription or take any other action regarding it. You can install the latest freeware version of CodeTwo Backup, and your installation will automatically switch to freeware. 

If your paid subscription is still active, you’ll continue to receive technical support until it expires.

13. My Exchange Online backup/restore jobs stopped working after updating to the freeware version. What should I do?

After updating to the freeware version, you need to reconfigure your existing Exchange Online connections used by these jobs to use Microsoft Graph instead of EWS. See this article for reconfiguration instructions.