New minimum Outlook for Windows version requirements for Microsoft 365

> I recently ran into this inability to connect. I am curious how come I able still able to connect to
my free Microsoft Email mailbox via Exchange mode; The connection modes looks very similar via the Outlook 2010 control panel applet. So I am thinking if the Outlook 2010 version is able to connect to the Free Email mailbox I am sure there is a way to utilize it to connect to my paid outlook Email mailboxes via Exchange mode Or may utilize the IMAP connection instead.

> Anyone that as accomplished a configuration where they are still able to utilize the Outlook 2010 application either via IMAP etc would be helpful to me as I am not ready to shell out $150 a year just to continue check my Email via my preferred application that is working just fine for 
my home use. If Microsoft would offer a non-subscription based offering of Office I would consider that cost over the next 10+ years.

It still works for me, though I'm sure I'm jinxing myself by saying that. I know Microsoft loves nothing more than to find something working well for somebody and break it. That's all they've done for the last 10 years.

I use Outlook 2010 to manage my calendar, contacts, and tasks primarily; occasionally but rarely for email itself; I use the Thunderbird-based MailNews client for that. Outlook as a client has always sucked for email, but it's really good for Exchange stuff and syncing calendar, etc. via Exchange protocol. That's what I don't want to lose out on.