Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life Extended ?
In a recent announcement, Microsoft recognized that not all organizations would be able to migrate to their on-premises server on time. Which is before the Exchange 2016 and 2019 end-of-life date (Oct 14, 2025).
So, to give some extra time to its valued customers, it introduces the Extended Security Update. This program aims but does not guarantee to provide Security Updates (SU) for a limited time.
Let us see when, for whom, and how much it will cost, and what options organizations have.
When Does ESU Become Available & for How Long?
From August 1st, 2025, you can contact your Microsoft Account team and get the pricing details to deploy the Extended Security Update.
This update will last for 6 months from the date of expiry of the current systems, i.e., October 14, 2025, to April 14, 2026. Microsoft explicitly states that no further extensions or updates will be made available.
However, let me make it clear that the ESU is not a true extension of the expiry date for the on-premise Exchange Server.
Exchange Server is still on the new lifecycle policy, which means that both Exchange 2016 and 2019 are going to stop receiving official support on the pre-determined date. So you should not postpone your migration plans.
What is Exchange Server Extended Security Update Exactly?
Any organization that is unable to switch over to the Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) on time can think of the ESU as a safety net. This will ensure that they continue to receive the Critical and Important updates (as per the MSRC score) even on the old Exchange Servers.
Microsoft has made it clear through their announcement that purchasing the ESU program does not mean that you will receive the updates.
Moreover, even if any SU’s release during the 6 months, customers won’t be able to access them directly. In other words, unlike the regular Patch Tuesday updates, there will be no publicly accessible link.
Instead, these updates will be provided privately to all organizations that choose to become ESU program subscribers. Although there is no official statement, we believe that your Microsoft Account team will be the one responsible for providing you with the security updates.
This is not the first time that such emergency extensions have been made by Microsoft. For example, when Windows 7 was expiring, it received an ESU program that lasted for up to three years(From 2020 to 2022). Even the soon-to-expire Windows 10 has an ESU package that can be bought from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at USD 61 per device for Year One.
Both Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 (the OS on which all Exchange on-premises systems run) got a 3-year ESU pack. SQL Server 2012 also had a three-year ESU program.
How Much Will the ESU Cost After Exchange 2016 and 2019 End of Life?
No official pricing has been revealed yet, but here’s what we know about the cost:
- It will be on a Per-Server basis. The more servers you have in your local environment, the more you have to pay.
- Organizations that need the ESU price quotation can contact their Microsoft account team on or after August 1, 2025.
- Moreover, we don’t think that a public price list will be made available.
Another important factor to keep in mind is that currently, only those organizations can get the ESU who have their Exchange Server directly from Microsoft. Customers who bought through a CSP or other reseller must wait for further announcements.
Should You Rely On ESU?
As the Exchange 2016 and 2019 end-of-life dates are now less than three months away, this question becomes even more important. Microsoft recommends that customers should not rely on this ESU program, but instead move to the new version ASAP.
It is possible to directly install the Exchange Server SE on the Exchange 2019 CU 14/CU15. However, those on the 2016 edition must first perform an Exchange 2016 to 2019 migration.
For that, you can use the SysTools Exchange to Exchange Migration software, which helps to conduct a smooth, effortless transition.
Download a demo right now and try the software for free.
Conclusion
Here, we found that ESU is not a true extension to the Exchange 2016 and 2019 end-of-life date. Instead, Microsoft is offering a paid security package. Customers who can’t make the transition to the new setup before October 14, 2025, can use it to buy some time.
Moreover, those who use any of the older Exchange Server versions can’t transition to the SE edition directly. So, they can use the automated migration solution instead to fast-track their transition.