Ethical Hacking News
Microsoft has announced a surprise move to extend the availability of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for two legacy products, Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019, due to customer requests for more time. The extended period will run from May 2026 to October 2026 at an additional cost. This move marks an important milestone in Microsoft's efforts to support its legacy products.
Microsoft has extended the availability of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019 from April to October 2026.The new period comes at an additional cost to customers, with no guarantees of updates during this time.Microsoft is willing to engage with customer feedback and adapt its strategies accordingly.The decision marks an important milestone in Microsoft's efforts to support its legacy products.
Microsoft has announced a surprise move to extend the availability of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for two legacy products, Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019. The initial announcement in October 2025 had warned that customers could only sign up for six months of ESU after support for the products ended in April 2026, with a clear message that there would be no extensions beyond that date.
However, as April approached, it became apparent that not all customers were ready to migrate to newer versions of these products. In response to customer feedback and requests for more time, Microsoft has now decided to extend the ESU period for both Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019.
The new extended period for ESU will run from May 2026 to October 2026. This decision comes as a welcome relief for many organizations that had been struggling to complete their migrations to newer versions of these products due to various reasons such as complexity, cost, or resource constraints.
It is worth noting that Microsoft has made it clear that the extended period of ESU will come at an additional cost to customers. The company has also emphasized that there are no guarantees of updates during this period and that no further extensions beyond October 2026 have been promised.
The decision to extend the ESU period for legacy products is a testament to Microsoft's commitment to supporting its existing customer base, even as it pushes its users towards newer versions of its products. While some critics might argue that this move is an admission of weakness on Microsoft's part, others see it as a pragmatic response to the needs of customers who have invested heavily in these legacy systems.
In the context of Microsoft's product roadmap, this decision also highlights the company's willingness to engage with customer feedback and adapt its strategies accordingly. As Microsoft continues to navigate the complex landscape of its various products and services, it is clear that customer satisfaction will remain a top priority.
The extended ESU period for Exchange Server 2016/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015/2019 marks an important milestone in Microsoft's efforts to support its legacy products. While this move may not address the underlying issues with these products, it demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to providing a smooth transition for customers who are struggling to adapt to newer technologies.
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft continues to balance its need to support existing customers with its drive to push users towards newer versions of its products. One thing is clear: the company's decision to extend the ESU period for these legacy products marks an important step in this ongoing conversation.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Microsofts-U-Turn-on-Extended-Security-Updates-for-Legacy-Exchange-Server-and-Skype-for-Business-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2026/04/16/microsoft_exchange_skype/
https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/16/microsoft_exchange_skype/
https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/right-now-is-a-terrible-time-to-buy-a-microsoft-surface-heres-why
Published: Fri Apr 17 07:32:10 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
