Productivity suites, Exchange servers in path of Microsoft's end-of-support wave

Office and Exchange Server have joined Windows 10 in a march to obsolescence, with less than a year until support is cut for 2016 and 2019 versions.

For Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019, users have options unless they have an urgent need for Publisher, which is being axed without a replacement.

Unsurprisingly, Microsoft recommends that Office users move to its cloud. Office 2016 and 2019 are due to fall out of support on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft's preferred solution is for users to sign up to Microsoft 365. A fallback for customers not keen on the company's cloud vision for their productivity needs is a move to Office 2024 LTSC, which does not require a connection to the mothership.

Things aren't so clear when it comes to Exchange Server. As in the case of Office, Microsoft would like customers to access the service from its cloud. However, for users who prefer to run their own email server, there is currently nothing beyond Exchange Server 2019.

Microsoft has not provided a date for the delayed follow-up to Exchange Server 2019 - Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) - saying only that it will arrive at some point "in the early part of Q3 of 2025." So just as Exchange Server 2019 breathes its last, then.

Users running Exchange Server 2019 with the latest cumulative update should be able to perform a simple in-place upgrade. Moving from Exchange Server 2016 will be more complicated and require a legacy upgrade in which new infrastructure must be built out, and namespaces and mailboxes moved to it. It isn't for the faint of heart, so it would be wise to get it over with as soon as possible and await the release of Exchange Server SE.

Customers running Skype for Business Server 2019 or 2015 are in a similar boat - it is also due to reach end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft wants users to ditch the service in favor of Teams, but for customers unwilling or unable to migrate, there is only a promise of Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE), which is "early in the third quarter of calendar year 2025."

As with Exchange Server 2019, an in-place upgrade to SE is possible for Skype for Business Server 2019, but the process is complicated for Skype for Business Server 2015. So the recommendation is to get on the latest version as soon as possible in readiness for the arrival of SE.

The products will not suddenly stop working if users do not upgrade, but, as with Windows 10, the end of support will mean users will be exposed to vulnerabilities.

Beware the 'gigantic wave'

Directions on Microsoft analyst Rob Helm pointed to a "gigantic wave" hitting affected enterprises in 2025 as products drop out of support. He suggested that companies still running earlier versions of Office despite Microsoft request to move to Microsoft 365 likely have some specific business needs that make the subscription model unviable. These could be isolated pockets of workers without full-time internet or preferring per-desktop licensing rather than per-user.

Exchange, however, is slightly different. Helm explained that with every cumulative update, Microsoft is turning Exchange Server 2019 into Exchange Server SE. "The claim is that bit-for-bit, it will be almost exactly the same as the last version of Exchange Server 2019." Just with some new branding.

And, of course, a new payment model. Helm added, "You will have to then start paying subscription fees whether you like it or not."

As with Office, there are many reasons why an enterprise would prefer to keep its own email and messaging servers rather than use Microsoft's services. These might include worries over physical data security or concerns around a constant stream of silent platform updates.

Then again, 2025 could be when some enterprise hold-outs finally jump. Helm said, "A lot of it is, frankly, deciding, 'Is this when we finally move to Microsoft 365?'

"Every time they try to renew their enterprise agreement, they've got Microsoft pounding on them to do that."

Many of the affected enterprises will already be used to a subscription model via products like Microsoft's maintenance program for biz, Software Assurance.

There is less than a year to go before the wave hits. Helm said, "You have to wonder how organizations are going to manage all this change. Hopefully, they've budgeted for it and prepared for it, and they've got contractors and developers on deck to make it all happen.

"But if not, they'd better hustle." ®