[German]A short addendum that may be of interest to administrators of Microsoft Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Microsoft Skye for Business 2015 and 2019. These software versions were actually due to be removed from support on October 14, 2025. Anyone who has not yet switched to newer versions will receive security updates for a further six months via a fee-based ESU program.
I had to look explicitly in the Exchange 2016 life cycle sheet to see when this version will reach its end of support. But it still states October 14, 2025 for the end of support.
At The Register, however, I came across the article Microsoft offers vintage Exchange and Skype server users six more months of security updates from July 17, 2025. Microsoft has a heart for administrators of Exchange Server 2016 as well as Skype for Business 2015 and 2019. These product lines will each be given a six-month ESU program for a fee.
ESU for Skype for Business 2015 / 2019
The Techcommunity post Announcing Skype for Business 2015 / 2019 Extended Security Update program from July 15, 2025 states that support for Skype for Business 2015 and 2019 will end in October 2025 – this was known. But some Microsoft customers are still dependent on the two versions and cannot switch to the Skype for Business Subscription Edition (SE) immediately, but need longer to migrate.
Microsoft is therefore creating the opportunity to obtain security updates (SU) for their Skype for Business 2015/2019 servers for a few more months from October 2025. Customers will have the option to contact their Microsoft account team for more information and to purchase an additional 6-month Extended Security Update (ESU) for their Skype for Business 2015/2019 servers starting August 1, 2025. These account teams will receive information on the cost per server and additional details on how to purchase and receive ESUs starting August 1, 2025.
This ESU is not an extension of the support lifecycle (Microsoft Lifecycle Policy | Microsoft Learn) for Skype for Business 2015/2019. Support will end on October 14, 2025, and customers will no longer be able to open support cases. Exceptions are support cases directly related to an issue with an SU during the ESU period. These SUs will be provided privately to customers.
ESU for Exchange Server 2016 / 2019
Microsoft announced in the Techcommunity post Announcing Exchange 2016 / 2019 Extended Security Update program from July 15, 2025 that Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 will also be included in an ESU program after the end of support in October 2025. Some Microsoft customers are lagging behind with the migration of Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 to the Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) and need longer.
Starting August 1, 2025, customers can also contact their Microsoft account team for information and to purchase an additional 6-month Extended Security Update (ESU) for their Exchange 2016 / 2019 servers. Account teams will have information on the cost per server and additional details on how to purchase and receive ESUs starting August 1, 2025. Again, as mentioned above, there will be no support after October 14, 2025 (unless a security update (SU) released after that date causes problems.
Similar article:
Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) release (July 1, 2025)
Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) available
