Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) is Now in General Availability

Microsoft Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) is now in General Availability. See what’s new and what remains the same in the RTM version.

On 1st July 2025, Microsoft announced that the much-awaited Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) is now in the General Availability stage. So IT administrators can upgrade their soon-to-expire Exchange 2019 servers to this new version and get used to what Microsoft calls the future of on-premises email management.

This new RTM release represents a major turning point. Especially for those organizations that have never used a subscription-based model before. Every version of Exchange that came before this one was a triennial one-time procurement system. 

Don’t worry, you are not alone. We are here with this guide to break down everything you need to know about the change.

We will explain to you what the new licensing rules are and give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the upgrade process. Before we deploy the new version, let us study what the term General Availability means in the context of Exchange Server SE and why Microsoft released it in RTM.

What Does “Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) is Now in General Availability” Mean?

This announcement means that the Exchange Server Subscription Edition SE (the successor to Exchange Server 2019) can now be downloaded from official sources.

Like many of its other products already Microsoft has now brought the on-premise Exchange Server into the Modern Lifecycle Policy. 

Which means, now the support for Exchange SE will be available perpetually to all the clients as long as they choose to remain subscribed. 

Also Read: What is Microsoft Bookings App? How to Enable & Use It

In other words Exchange SE codebase becomes evergreen.

So, all new features and improvements will arrive regularly in the form of Cumulative Updates (CUs). Moreover, admins no longer have to worry about large, disruptive version upgrades every few years..

In a way, it becomes closer to the cloud-based Exchange Online than ever before.

Where to Access the Exchange Subscription Edition (SE), Now in General Availability?

Visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=108244

And download your copy of the ISO file.

Those who procure via volume licensing can visit the:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/vl-sign-in?view=o365-worldwide

and continue from there.

Steps to Install the Exchange Subscription Edition (SE)

You must decommission and remove any instances of Exchange Server 2013 if they still remain. 

Before you install Exchange SE RTM, make sure that you update Exchange Server CU 14 or CU 15 if you operate an older edition of the 2019 version. Upgrade from Exchange 2016 to the latest Exchange Server 2019 CU 14 or CU 15 edition.

Step 1. Run Pre-Flight Checks: Take full, verified backups. Run the official Exchange HealthChecker.ps1 script to ensure your server is healthy before you start.

Step 2. Enter Maintenance Mode: Use the standard PowerShell cmdlets to safely put the server into maintenance.

Step 3. Run the Upgrade: Mount the downloaded ISO file. You can either run Setup.exe from the graphical interface or use the command line. Both methods work perfectly.

Step 4. Reboot the Server: A reboot is required after the installation completes.

Step 5. Validate the Upgrade: After the reboot, run HealthChecker.ps1 again. This is a vital step to catch and fix any configuration changes. Also, check the build number in the Exchange Management Shell to confirm the new version.

Step 6. Exit Maintenance Mode: Once you’ve confirmed the server is healthy, take it out of maintenance mode and test all services

Conclusion

The Exchange Server Subscription Edition SE marks a new era for on-premises email. The shift to a subscription model and a continuous update cycle is here to stay. While it requires an adjustment in mindset from “buy once” to “stay current,” it provides a secure and sustainable path for the future. With a clear upgrade process and a more generous migration timeline, the journey to the next generation of Exchange Server is less daunting than it might appear.

Frequently Asked Questions on Exchange Server SE release

• Q. Is it possible to directly upgrade to the SE version from Exchange 2016?

No, you must be on Exchange 2019 CU 14 or CU 15 to be eligible for an in-place upgrade.

• Q. Can I continue with the same Active Directory schema, or do I need to make any changes?

Yes, you can continue with the same AD schema without any changes. This is because the code structure of Exchange SE RTM and Exchange 2019 CU 15 is identical.

• Q. Where do I purchase the new product key for this new license?

You dont require a key to use the RTM edition. However, he upcoming CU1 … variants will have those requirements. So when those get released, procure an official copy.