custom domain email hosting with Exchange, access using outlook desktop

Question

I have 365 family subscription. I already have an email with a personal domain registered under the 365 account. I'm looking for the most efficient way to have MS host another (different) domain for another email address. From what I've been able to find, I can only have a single domain under a 365 account (although each 365 user can have an address on that domain). Is this correct?

Also, assuming that is true, it appears that the best way for me to have MS host an additional custom domain email is to add an Exchange online (plan 1) account for a single user. Does that sound like a correct solution? I assume this exchange account will act as a separate account from 365. Should I expect any difficulties when adding that exchange hosted, custom domain email address on outlook desktop under the 365 account?

Thanks for any thoughts

Answer 1

Hi. I'm Brian and I will do my best to help you.

You cannot have more than one custom domain within a single subscription. keep in mind also that as of November 30 this year, custom domains are going away. Those with custom domains will still be able to use them, but no new custom domains will be allowed after that and you won't be able to create any new addresses for the existing custom domain. In my opinion, relying on a feature that is going away is taking quite a chance. If they modify the code so that it breaks, why would they invest in any effort to fix it?

Answer 2

Hi Brian. Yes, thank you I had seen that notice about new custom domains as well.

The main question is what will be the best alternative way to have MS host another custom domain for me, with integration into the outlook desktop I have through my 365 fam acct. It's looking like exchange online may be a fit but wanted to make sure there aren't other options that I missed.

thanks again

Answer 3

A Microsoft 365 for Business subscription might be a worthwhile choice, but it's $12.50 per month per mailbox. There are other companies offering Exchange hosting. See https://www.hostingadvice.com/how-to/best-hosti... for examples.

Note that the web site I referenced isn't a Microsoft web site but it appears to contain accurate information and no potentially unwanted apps. It may, however, contain ads and use cookies, so be aware.

Answer 4

I had looked at the 365 business basic and standard, but I would be paying for the office suite 2x including my existing family subscription.

Thank you for feedback on the hostingadvice.com reviews. Would buying a license for MS Exchange Online ($4/mo) also be a possible solution for email hosting or is does exchange complicate things in some way? I'm not very familiar with exchange so not sure if it works differently in some way versus a 365 hosted email or the other services outside of MS.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/exchange/exchange-online

Answer 5

Have you asked your domain registrar if they also offer Exchange? When used with desktop Outlook, the default account type Outlook.com connects with is Exchange. Exchange syncs all folders: mail, contacts, calendar, tasks and so on. No other account type does that. Changes are you're using Exchange now, but you can check by clicking File>Account Settings>Account Settings and examine the Email tab. The account type will be listed there.

IMAP syncs just the mail folders and you can use that if you don't care your non-mail folders don't sync. IMAP will work with almost any mail provider.

If you share your subscription with other family members, you're pretty much locked into Outlook.com as your least expensive alternative. You can continue paying the subscription to keep the right to use the desktop applications but you can use anyone's Exchange for whatever they charge for the mailboxes.