Microsoft Exchange 2019 has reached the end of its official support period. Will there be an on-prem version of the mail server?

Anyone using Exchange Server 2019 should read this article carefully. Microsoft announces that the on-prem version of its mail server has reached end of support on January 9, 2024. This means that Microsoft will no longer roll out bug fixes or feature updates. There will be two more security updates this year, one in the current half of the year (CU14) and one in the fall (CU15).

For a fee, companies can receive an additional year of support until October 14, 2025. On this day, extended support for Exchange Server 2016, which has been receiving extended updates since 2020, also ends. Microsoft wants companies to say goodbye to Exchange Server 2019 more quickly. Extended support for Exchange Server 2013 ended in April last year, so anyone still using it should upgrade to a newer version as soon as possible.

Further to the Internet?

Exchange Server 2019 is the last on-prem version that Microsoft released of its mail server. It is unclear whether a new version will be released after extended support ends. Microsoft may want to attract as many companies as possible to the online version, which is part of the 365 subscription.

However, there will always be companies that prefer to keep their mail server on-site, and Microsoft cannot simply ignore this group. The company will soon announce details on the future of Exchange.

Popular back gate

There are good reasons why Microsoft wants to eliminate on-premises Exchange servers. It is no longer a secret that they are a popular loophole for hackers to break into companies. A cracked mail server is a perfect springboard for more complex attacks in which attackers can gain control of the entire IT infrastructure – with all the consequences that entails.

A recurring cause is that companies use outdated versions of Exchange and roll out updates slowly or not at all. (Almost) 20,000 Exchange servers worldwide are still running an outdated version and are therefore vulnerable to cyber attacks. For the online version, Microsoft takes over the administration and can ensure that users use a secure version.