Outlook Integration Internet Explorer 11 End of support

UPDATED August 4, 2021

What is changing?
 

The Outlook integration uses Internet Explorer 11 to launch the Salesforce add-in from desktop versions of Outlook. This requirement is true for all add-ins built on that framework, not just the Salesforce add-in. Previously, we announced that support for accessing Lightning with IE11 was ending in December 2020, which meant that users on older versions of Outlook would also lose access to the integration. We are extending support for the Outlook integration on older versions of Outlook that use Internet Explorer 11 until December 31, 2022. This continued support applies only to the Outlook integration. It doesn’t apply to Salesforce for Outlook or using Internet Explorer 11 to access Lightning Experience.

Customers NOT using Office version 16.0.11629 or later (i.e. Office 365 or 2019 one-time-purchase RETAIL only) and running Windows 10 version 1903 or later (e.g. Outlook 2016 and 2013) should make plans to upgrade to the latest version of Outlook and Windows to ensure support after December 31, 2022. These newer versions of Outlook use Edge instead of Internet Explorer 11.

What does this mean for you?

Unsupported versions of Outlook including Outlook 2016 MSI installations will see a red banner in the Outlook Integration panel stating: "Salesforce Support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 ends December 31,2022. To continue using the integration, contact your IT department about updating your browser. These versions should still work if the organization opted in the past for  "extended support for Internet Explorer 11" but functionality cannot be guaranteed.

• Office version 16.0.11629, i.e. Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) or 2019 one-time-purchase (retail only)

• Windows 10 version 1903

What action do I need to take? 

Microsoft Exchange admins will have to upgrade to Office, version 16.0.11629 or later and Windows 10 version 1903 or later (this includes Office 365 and 2019 one-time purchase (retail) by December 31, 2022. With these two upgrades, users are able to access the Outlook integration without the need for Internet Explorer 11, since it is launched with Edge instead.

Alternatively, users can access Outlook on the web, which doesn’t require updates to Outlook or Windows.

To determine your Office version, see the Microsoft documentation.

Why is Salesforce making this change?
 

Salesforce announced its end of life for accessing Lightning with IE11 back in 2017 due to security concerns. Admins were able to opt-in for extended support for Internet Explorer 11 through December 2020, at which point access will be retired. For the Outlook integration only, support is now extended to December 31, 2022. 

For more information, see Browsers supported by the Outlook Add-in.