With Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 reaching end of support in October 2025, many organizations running hybrid environments are asking:
How do we continue managing mailboxes without keeping an Exchange Server on-premises?
Microsoft officially recommends two options – but neither is particularly appealing:
Microsoft’s Two Options (and Why They Suck)
Install an Exchange Management Server
Install an Exchange Management ServerThis means keeping a full Exchange Server installation (and upgrading to Exchange SE) just for mailbox management. It’s:
Bulky – requires significant resources and maintenance.
Hard to manage – a complex, monolithic application.
Risky – Exchange on-premises has historically been a frequent target for zero-day exploits, creating a security liability.
Install the Exchange Management Tools
Install the Exchange Management ToolsThis is lighter than a full server but comes with its own drawbacks:
PowerShell-only interface – no GUI for managing mailboxes.
Harder for first-line support – increases reliance on scripting skills.
Error-prone and inefficient – leads to frequent escalations to senior IT, slowing down issue resolution.
A Better Way: EasyEntra
With EasyEntra, you can provision hybrid mailbox-enabled users directly from Active Directory without Exchange Server or Management Tools installed.
This lightweight client application replaces ADUC for hybrid user administration and offers a modern, intuitive UI that enables IT teams of all skill levels to handle mailbox tasks. Best of all, this functionality is completely free.
Provision a Hybrid Mailbox User With EasyEntra
Here’s how you can easily create a hybrid user account with a mailbox using EasyEntra.
(Pre-req: You need a hybrid license-assigning group to complete this procedure)
Right-click the OU where you want the new user and select New User.
Enter and configure the basic properties like display name and logon names.
Join the user to an on-premises synchronizied license assignment group.
Go to the Mailbox tab and configure the email alias and email addresses.
- Click Entra Connect delta sync to immediately sync the user to Entra ID.
EasyEntra supports configuring all user and mailbox properties in one operation, making it a true one-stop solution for creating new hybrid user accounts.
Other Free Features in EasyEntra
Other Free Features in EasyEntraHybrid mailbox provisioning is just one of the many capabilities EasyEntra offers at no cost. With the free version, you also get:
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Manage mail attributes on group and contact objects.
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One-click Microsoft Entra Connect sync – no need to open PowerShell.
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Instant AD search results as you type.
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Support for LDAP queries in the AD search field.
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Proprietary “relaxed typed” LDAP queries, like:
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disabled=true -
lastlogon<2025-01-01 -
lockedout=true
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Access advanced object properties directly from search results.
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Adaptive password generator – complex but user-friendly password generation with adaptive length.
All of this comes in a single lightweight client application designed for speed and simplicity.
Watch the advanced AD search capabilities here:
What’s in the Full Version?
What’s in the Full Version?For organizations looking to optimize help desk efficiency and streamline identity management, the full version of EasyEntra delivers:
Unified management of Active Directory, Entra ID, and Exchange Online mailbox properties.
Eliminates constant switching between ADUC, Microsoft 365 Admin Center, Exchange Online Admin Center, and various PowerShell modules.
Advanced configurations that normally require PowerShell:
Calendar permissions
Outlook auto-mapping
Mailbox localization
…and much more.
Automated onboarding and offboarding – streamline user lifecycle management.
License cost-saving reports – identify unused licenses and optimize spending.
Why Use EasyEntra?
No Exchange SE required – manage mailboxes without the overhead.
Save time – create mailbox-enabled users in seconds.
GUI for everyone – empower first-line IT to work efficiently and confidentially.
Free for core hybrid tasks – zero cost to get started.
Reduce risk – avoid running legacy Exchange servers prone to exploits.
Get Started Today
You don’t need to keep an aging, unsupported Exchange server or do the tedious upgrade to Exchange SE. Download EasyEntra and simplify your hybrid user provisioning today.
