Exchange Online Direct Send and Shared Mailbox

Question

Exchange Online Direct Send and Shared Mailbox

rr-4098 2,051

In know one of the requirements to use Direct Send is that you need a licensed mailbox. Can you use a shared mailbox and enabled the associated account so you do not have to use a license?

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Answer 1

Yuki Sun-MSFT 41,376 Moderator

Hi @rr-4098 ,

In know one of the requirements to use Direct Send is that you need a licensed mailbox.

Are you talking about the "Direct Send" used to send mails from printer or application? If yes, actually according to the official document below, it doesn't require a licensed mailbox:
Option 2: Send mail directly from your printer or application to Microsoft 365 or Office 365 (direct send)

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rr-4098 2,051 Reputation points

2023-05-01T12:22:11.5266667+00:00

Thank you for the reply. How is it possible for o365 mailbox to work without a license?
Yuki Sun-MSFT 41,376 Reputation points Moderator

2023-05-02T05:37:14.3233333+00:00

Hi @rr-4098 ,

As indicated in the first highlighted sentence above, it doesn't require "a M365 or O365 mailbox". It doesn't mean it requires a mailbox without a license. And per my understanding, the second highlighted sentence should be read like "Does not require a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 mailbox (with a license)".

Direct send just needs an "email address" which doesn't require a mailbox:

Answer 2

Vasil Michev 119.7K MVP Volunteer Moderator

No, that's against the license agreement/terms of usage. Any form of direct login to a shared mailbox is not allowed. You can however use this method with Send As permissions granted to a user with licensed mailbox.

rr-4098 2,051 Reputation points

2023-04-29T01:13:26.56+00:00

Are there any other special items I should be aware of when setting up Direct Send?
Vasil Michev 119.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-04-29T05:54:48.3766667+00:00

This is not specific to Direct send, simply a usage restriction on shared mailboxes. If you want to directly login to a mailbox, be it to access messages therein or send new ones, you need to have the mailbox licensed. Or use delegate permissions, such as Send As.

Answer 3

rr-4098 2,051

Thank you for the great feedback. I looks like I need to use option 1 since I need to be able to send outside my organization.

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Exchange Online Direct Send and Shared Mailbox

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