Exchange Server Subscription Edition launches with continuous updates, no end-of-life

Microsoft is officially rolling out Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE), its next step for on-premises and hybrid email infrastructure. This release follows a new servicing model called the Modern Lifecycle Policy.

Instead of traditional version-based updates, Exchange SE will get continuous servicing without a set end-of-life, just as long as configurations remain up to date. This shift is meant to reduce upgrade friction and aligns with how more enterprise software is maintained today.

Other than waiting for big version jumps, administrators will get smaller, rolling updates that require fewer manual overhauls. Microsoft says this change won’t affect Exchange Online or Microsoft 365 customers, who will continue getting the most advanced features, including full Microsoft 365 Copilot support.

But for businesses that still require on-premises infrastructure, Exchange SE will be the only path forward after next year. The new Exchange SE Release to Manufacturing (RTM) build can be installed directly as a Cumulative Update (CU) for Exchange Server 2019 CU14 or CU15.

Microsoft is recommending an in-place upgrade since there are no schema changes, no new license keys, and no new features—just updated terms and version numbers. This version is nearly identical to Exchange 2019 CU15.

However, Microsoft is making it clear: Exchange 2016 and 2019 both hit end of support in October 2025. After that, only Exchange SE will be supported. Starting with CU2, Exchange SE will begin introducing new features and require dedicated SE keys, while also blocking coexistence with older servers. Moreover, Microsoft plans to ship updates for Exchange SE twice a year, gradually modernizing the platform without major disruption.