Exchange Server. In-place Upgrade from 2019 to Subscription Edition (SE)
Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) Has Finally Been Released
Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) is now available | Microsoft Community Hub
Copilot AI Summary
This page announces the general availability of Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE). The main points are as follows:
- Background of the Release: Exchange SE continues Microsoft’s tradition of providing enterprise-grade email services across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.
- Service and Licensing Changes: Exchange SE follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy, meaning there is no predefined end-of-support date.
- Upgrade Details: In-place upgrades from Exchange Server 2019 CU14 or CU15 to Exchange SE are recommended.
- Differences: While Exchange SE RTM is functionally the same as Exchange 2019 CU15, the name and version number have been updated.
- Future Plans: After October 2025, Exchange SE will be the only supported on-premises version. New features and installation requirements will be added in the future.
The page also mentions the release of Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition.
It’s really convenient to have Copilot summarize the page like this.
AI makes it easy to understand and concisely presents the key points.
As of now, Subscription Edition is more of a version rename than a functional update.
So if you're upgrading from 2019, there's no need to rebuild your environment — an in-place upgrade is enough.
That’s why it feels more like an update rather than a full upgrade.
You can download the installation file from the link below:
Exchange Server build numbers and release dates | Microsoft Learn
Over time, the term RTM may be phased out.
Let’s walk through what happens when you upgrade from CU15, for comparison.
Mount the ISO file and run the Setup file.
You’ll notice the label SUBSCRIPTION EDITION at the top of the installer screen.
The installation proceeds the same way as in previous versions.
After the installation completes, you’ll see the version number has been updated.
DAG is also maintained without any issues.