While it’s true that Exchange 2019 delivered some new features, end users might not have noticed. Those anticipating that the release of a new version of Exchange will bring new functionality to on-premises users are likely to be disappointed. Server upgrades are never quite as straightforward as they seem.
No doubt further clarification will appear closer to the date about prerequisites for Windows and other components like. In-Place UpdatesĮxchange 2019 customers will be able to perform in-place updates to move to the new server for at least two years following the release of Exchange 2022. Truly, Exchange 2022 (subscription) is the last major release of Exchange. Conceivably, Microsoft could keep on pushing out updates for the subscription-based version of the Office servers for many years.
My bet is that Microsoft will continue to follow the well-worn quarterly cadence of cumulative updates and that customers will be required to keep their servers running the current or previous update to be supported. Microsoft hasn’t said how often updates will appear. Keeping CurrentĬustomers will still have to apply the updates issued by Microsoft to keep the subscription-based version current.
Interestingly, they say that this will mean that “ the move to 2019 the last major upgrade they will ever need to do.” I read this to mean that Microsoft will issue regular updates to the subscription version of Exchange to replace the current system of a major release and quarterly cumulative updates. Microsoft says that customers should move to Exchange 2019 if possible before the release of the subscription-based model to enable in-place upgrades. Maybe Exchange will be called “Exchange Infinite.” For this article, I’ll refer to the subscription version as Exchange 2022.
Greg didn’t say what name they will give to the subscription-based versions of the Office servers when they appear in mid-2021. The subscription entitles customers to receive support, product updates, and security and time zone patches.Instead of the current CAL-based licensing model, like Office 365 licenses, customers will pay a monthly fee to continue using Exchange on-premises (or SharePoint or Skype for Business).The Office servers are moving to a subscription-based model.