Microsoft: Support for Office and Exchange without cloud ends in 2025

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Microsoft's enterprise customers are facing the end of support for some Office applications and server products. From October 14, 2025, there will no longer be any security and bug fixes or technical support for numerous applications. All applications from Office 2016 and 2019, Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019 will be affected. Although the applications will continue to run, they potentially pose a security risk due to the lack of updates.

Subscription as an alternative

Microsoft is promoting the Microsoft 365 E3 subscription tailored to companies as an alternative, which includes both the conventional Office applications and online services for Exchange and Sharepoint. The server offerings in particular are unlikely to appeal to all companies. It remains particularly exciting for those who want or need to continue operating Exchange in their own data center.

Trust in cloud services squandered for the time being

The fact that attackers hijacked a master key for the Azure cloud in the summer of 2023 and thus had access to the online Exchange accounts of some government agencies, among other things, has significantly weakened confidence in Microsoft's cloud offerings. This is particularly true following the latest report by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which accuses Microsoft of multiple failures in cybersecurity.

Originally, a fresh Exchange Server for operation in its own data center was to be released in 2021, but Microsoft has adjusted its 2022 roadmap and announced the upcoming Exchange Server for the second half of 2025. This means that the release is close to the end of support for the old Exchange versions.

According to the current roadmap, the next Exchange Server will be released under the so-called Modern Lifecycle Policy, which applies to continuously maintained products and services. The new plans state that Microsoft plans to support Exchange Server for as long as there is sufficient demand for it.

An additional year's grace period

For Office products, the Office Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) at least offers a reprieve: Office LTSC 2021 will not expire until October 13, 2026, i.e. one year after the regular Office products. The Skype for Business Server will not receive a successor. The overview page for Lync and Skype for Business Server offers Microsoft Teams as an alternative instead. Which products are affected and which alternatives Microsoft offers in detail can be found in a tech community article.

(rme)