Microsoft Office Workflow Designer for Exchange is no longer available

Starting in May 2007, the Workflow Designer for Exchange, and the Exchange SDK Workflow Application Templates will no longer be available for download. Support for existing installations of the Workflow Designer for Exchange (ExWFD) and templates will continue until support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 ends.

Contact Microsoft CSS if you need the ExWFD installation package.  You can find a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and other information https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support.

If you’re creating new workflow-based applications, we recommend using the Windows Workflow Foundation. If you’re maintaining existing applications based on Exchange workflow, consider moving to the Workflow Foundation if the application needs to stay in service for more than a couple years.

What is this WF thing?

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) is a programming model, orchestration engine, and design tools for quickly building workflow-enabled applications on Windows. WF consists of a .NET Framework namespace, an in-process workflow engine, and designers for Visual Studio 2005. Windows Workflow Foundation applications can be developed and run on Windows Vista, Windows XP, and the Windows Server 2003 family. Windows Workflow Foundation includes support for both system workflow and human workflow across a variety of scenarios. Line-of-business applications, user interface page-flow, document-centric workflow, human workflow, service-oriented composite workflows, business rule-driven workflows, and workflow for systems management are only a few of the applications where WF excels.

Yeah, but Exchange Workflow worked fine for my needs…

There are several reasons why moving away from Exchange Workflow and the Workflow Designer for Exchange, and moving to WF is the right thing:

- WF is Microsoft’s strategic direction for workflow applications.

- WF leverages current technology and a better programming model.

- WF can be used in managed code (ExWFD and CDOWF cannot).

- WF will also be used in other Microsoft applications.

- ExWFD and CDOWF are not compatible with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

Need some links?

These links provide more information on the Windows Workflow Foundation.

Windows Workflow Foundation Overview:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms734631.aspx

Windows Workflow Foundation Programming Guide:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms734702.aspx

Windows Workflow Foundation Tutorials:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms735927.aspx

Windows Workflow Foundation Samples:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms741723.aspx

Visual Studio 2005 Designer for Windows Workflow Foundation Overview:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms441543.aspx

Windows Workflow Foundation Developer Center:
https://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa663328.aspx

Introduction to workflows on the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server site:
https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointserver/HA101544241033.aspx?pid=CH101782961033

Understanding Workflow in Windows SharePoint Services and the 2007 Microsoft Office System (5Mb Word Format):
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=DBBD82C7-9BDE-4974-8443-67B8F30126A8&displaylang=en