Microsoft announced they have pushed back the release of the final Cumulative Update (CU15) for Exchange Server 2019 to early January 2025.

Key Points

  • CU15, originally planned for H2 2024, will now be released as the H1 2025 CU1.
  • This delay follows a pattern of end-of-year postponements, as similar delays occurred in 2022 and 2023.
  • The decision aligns with customer feedback indicating that December is not an ideal time for CU releases.

Impact on Administrators

This delay provides Exchange Server administrators with a quieter end to 2024, especially following the problematic November 2024 Security Update that caused issues with transport rules and email flow.

Looking Ahead

  • Exchange Server 2019 is still set to reach end-of-support on October 14, 2025.
  • The successor, Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE), is expected to launch in early H2 of 2025.
  • Microsoft’s guidance remains unchanged: organizations should upgrade to Exchange Server 2019, install the latest updates, and prepare for an in-place upgrade to Exchange Server SE when it becomes available.

While this delay offers a temporary reprieve, 2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for Exchange administrators. It’s crucial for organizations to start planning their decommission strategy to ensure a smooth upgrade path to Exchange Server SE.

Strengthen Your Server Security with Messageware

Data breaches have increased by 72%, servers are compromised in under 90 minutes. Ensure you have multiple layers of security software protecting your Windows Servers.

Messageware offers powerful security solutions, including:

Z-Day Guard for All Windows Servers: Next-gen server protection, providing detection, alerting, and response (MDR) to zero-day and server penetration cyber-attacks. Leverages embedded monitoring technology that cannot be turned off by malicious software. No need to research complicated deployments and no learning curve to install and manage.

EPG Guard for Exchange Servers: Real-time security stops AD account lockouts, eliminates brute force password attacks, provides intelligent GEO blocking, and prevents Exchange Server vulnerability probing. Enhance security through real-time collection and analysis of logon information, with advanced reporting, threat detection, and security controls.

Don’t leave your critical infrastructure vulnerable, be proactive and stay ahead of evolving threats.