Exchange Server 2016/2019 End of Life - Migrating to Exchange Server SE

In September 2020, Microsoft announced that the next version for Exchange Server would be available in the second half of 2021 as a subscription model with included support, product and security updates. However, due to a targeted threat towards on-premises Exchange Servers, they had to change the plan and prioritize security features/updates. You can check out the new Exchange Roadmap here, but in this article, we will delve into two important changes: 

• Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 have reached their end of life (EOL) on October 14th, 2025. 

• New Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) is available since July 1, 2025.

Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 end of life 

If your organization is still using Exchange Server 2016/2019, your Exchange environment could be at risk. Since October 14th, 2025, Microsoft has stopped providing security updates and support for these versions, leaving your email vulnerable and outdated. 

The risks of staying on old software: 

• Security breaches: Since you won’t be receiving security updates, your environment will be vulnerable and a prime target for hackers. A single attack can lead to data breaches, downtime, and financial losses.  

• Compliance issues: Many regulations require adherence to specific security standards. Outdated software can make compliance difficult and expensive. 

• Limited functionality: You will miss out on new features and functionalities that could improve your team’s productivity and collaboration. 

What are your options? 

Team Venti can help you navigate the upgrade process and choose the best solution for your business. Here are your options: 

• Move to the cloud with Microsoft Exchange Online in Microsoft 365: Enjoy the benefits of a secure, scalable, and feature-rich cloud-based email system with minimal IT burden. Read our blog on Exchange On-Premise vs. Exchange Online for a full comparison. 

• Upgrade to Exchange Server Subscription Edition: Stay on-premises with the latest version of Exchange Server, available since July 1, 2025.

Hello, Exchange Server Subscription Edition 

Now available since July 1st, 2025, the new Exchange Server SE* will transition to a subscription model. This next version requires Server and CAL licenses and is accessible only to customers with Software Assurance (SA).

• Maintaining active SA for both server and CAL licenses will be necessary.

*To ensure a smoother transition to Exchange Server SE, it’s recommended that Exchange 2016 users upgrade to Exchange 2019.

Microsoft’s Price Updates

As of July 1, 2025, Microsoft has announced several price updates for on-premises server products:

• Standalone on-premises server products (including Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, and Skype for Business Server) had a 10% price increase.

• Core CAL Suite prices increased by 15%.

• Enterprise CAL Suite prices increased by 20%.

You can read about this in more detail here: Microsoft Licensing Changes for On-Premises Server Products: What you Need to Know (August 2025)

What’s new for Exchange Server SE? 

• Security upgrades: Leverage modern authentication and TLS 1.3 support to bolster your email system’s security and mitigate vulnerabilities associated with outdated encryption models. 

• Simplified hybrid management: Managing a hybrid Exchange environment will be more straightforward, configurations will remain intact during upgrades. 
• Streamlined certificate management: Benefit from certificate management tools offered within the Exchange Admin Center.