Microsoft Announces Extended Security Update Program for Skype for Business 2015/2019 and Exchange 2016/2019
Microsoft’s Extended Security Update program offers a short-term safety net for organizations still transitioning from legacy Exchange and Skype for Business editions.
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates for Exchange and Skype for Business versions nearing end of support.
- The ESU program starts August 1, 2025, and runs through April 2026.
- Updates won’t be publicly available and are meant as a temporary bridge for organizations still migrating.
Microsoft has announced an Extended Security Update program for Exchange 2016 and 2019, as well as Skype for Business 2015 and 2019. This program will let organizations that aren’t yet ready to upgrade to the Subscription Editions continue to receive security updates for these older products after they reach end of support on October 14, 2025.
Exchange 2016/2019 and Skype for Business 2015/2019 will officially go out of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft has received feedback from customers that they are still in the process of migrating to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) and Skype for Business SE. The purpose of the ESU program is to provide critical and important security updates for organizations that need more time to complete their migration process beyond the October 14 deadline. However, pricing details are currently unknown.
“We are announcing that we now have a solution for such customers. Starting on August 1st, 2025, customers can contact their Microsoft account team to get information about and purchase an additional 6-month Extended Security Update (ESU) for their Exchange 2016 / 2019 servers. Your account teams will have information related to per server cost and additional details on how to purchase and receive ESUs, starting August 1st, 2025,” Microsoft explained.
How to get ESUs for Exchange and Skype for Business
Microsoft says that this ESU program will be valid through April 14, 2026. These updates will be delivered privately to ESU customers and will not be provisioned through Windows Update or the public Download Center. However, keep in mind that Microsoft may not release any security updates during the Extended Security Update (ESU) period unless they are absolutely necessary.
Microsoft has warned that the ESU program is a temporary solution, which will not be extended past the April 2026 deadline. The company has recommended that customers speed up their migration process to the Subscription Editions for both products to stay protected.
Rabia has a master's degree in Software Engineering and she has years of experience writing professionally about Microsoft products and other technologies. Rabia has also written for OnMSFT.com as well as Windows Report. She is always up to date on t...