Some context: Microsoft has disabled the use of alternative email providers in Windows' built-in email app since Windows 10, and for 365 users, unless you got one of the more expensive accounts intended for large companies, then no custom domain names for your email unless you use Godaddy as registrar. They have an exclusivity deal with Microsoft.
So sure, one can look at this from an authentication perspective, or simply look at this as one in a line of steps in a specific direction.
This is completely false, I've just installed the Mail app on my Windows 11 machine, first thing it asks you is what e-mail provider you use [0] and there are options for iCloud, Yahoo and a generic IMAP setup along with the Microsoft offerings.
I'm running Pro but I've seen plenty of people with Home/Core machines using the default Mail app, no idea why since it's so much worse than the webmail option
> and for 365 users, unless you got one of the more expensive accounts intended for large companies, then no custom domain names for your email unless you use Godaddy as registrar
I guess that’s US only? With 5 employees we are a pretty small company and this is not the case for us.
"At the moment, we only support connecting domains managed by GoDaddy with Outlook.com"
In my market those accounts were also marketed towards small companies, with only Microsoft 365 Business tiers and above having the feature of allowing other providers than godaddy as domain registrars.
"Announced on Monday a long-term strategic partnership to offer Office 365 as GoDaddy’s exclusive core business-class email and productivity service to its small-business customers".
Microsoft do however change their tiers and plans regularly, and whom they target them to. In my job, seeing customers being unable to switch to other registrars has been a fairly common occurrence. Microsoft 365 Business plans should be fine to my knowledge, through I recall Microsoft 365 email essential for small business wasn't, which has been rebranded to Microsoft 365 Business basic, but I don't know if that mean it is a Microsoft 365 Business plan now or still the more limited "personal" plan. A customer who bought essential in the past and now is on basic might be able to leave godaddy, but I don't know and it might depend on software versions, updates and who know what.
So sure, one can look at this from an authentication perspective, or simply look at this as one in a line of steps in a specific direction.