(Updated) Reminder: Exchange Online moderation approvals – legacy voting buttons support ends September 30, 2026

Updated August 5, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[What and Why:]

This is a reminder for organizations using Exchange Online message moderation (MC1230457). Earlier this year, we introduced streamlined moderation approvals using Actionable Messages adaptive cards, enabling moderators to approve or reject moderated messages directly from Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the web, and Outlook mobile. This update also reduced the number of approval emails moderators typically receive.

As previously announced, support for the legacy Outlook voting buttons experience will end on September 30, 2026. After this date, moderation approvals will be supported only through the Actionable Messages adaptive card experience where available.

[Rollout Schedule:]

September 30, 2026: Legacy voting button-based moderation approvals support ends

Beginning October 1, 2026:

• Legacy voting button-based moderation approvals will no longer be supported
• Moderation approval requests will use the Actionable Messages adaptive card experience
• Moderators must have mailboxes hosted in Microsoft 365 and be able to receive Actionable Messages

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Who is affected:

• Organizations using Exchange Online message moderation
• Moderators responsible for approving moderated messages
• Organizations still using the legacy voting button experience

Platforms/Services:

• Exchange Online
• Outlook for Windows
• Outlook for Mac
• Outlook on the web
• Outlook mobile

What will happen:

Organizations that have already transitioned to Actionable Messages should experience no change.

Organizations using legacy voting buttons should review their moderation configuration before September 30, 2026.

Key considerations:

• Moderation approvals using Actionable Messages are supported in Microsoft 365.
• Organizations with on-premises moderator mailboxes should review their moderation workflows and moderator mailbox placement.
• Moderators can approve or reject messages from Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the web, and Outlook mobile using the Actionable Messages experience.

[Action Required / Recommendations:]

Verify that Actionable Messages is enabled in your organization.

If the feature has been disabled, re-enable it using Exchange Online PowerShell:

Set-OrganizationConfig -SmtpActionableMessagesEnabled $true
Set-OrganizationConfig -ConnectorsActionableMessagesEnabled $true

• Review moderator mailbox placement: Ensure users responsible for approving moderated messages are using supported Microsoft 365 mailboxes and clients. Shared mailboxes are not supported.
• Update internal documentation and training materials: Remove references to Outlook voting buttons for moderation approvals and update guidance to reference the Actionable Messages approval experience.
• Test your moderation workflows before September 30, 2026: Validate that moderators can successfully approve and reject moderated messages using the new experience and that message moderation continues to function as documented in Exchange Online moderation scenarios.

Learn more:

• Manage message approval in Exchange Online | Microsoft Learn 
• Streamlined Moderation Approvals, Now in All Outlook Clients | Microsoft Community Hub

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.