{"id":73352,"date":"2026-05-06T11:55:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T09:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/?p=73352"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:58:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T09:58:46","slug":"microsoft-exchange-server-and-skype-for-business-server-phase-2-esus-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/microsoft-exchange-server-and-skype-for-business-server-phase-2-esus-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server: Period 2 ESUs available"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Keep\u00a0your<strong> communication systems protected<\/strong>\u00a0while you finish your migration: effective\u00a0<strong>May 1, 2026<\/strong>, Microsoft launches a\u00a0<strong>second six-month Extended Security Update (ESU) period<\/strong>\u00a0for Exchange Server 2016\/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73361\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2-500x329.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2-800x526.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/05\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-05-06-Update-LinkedIn-Microsoft-ESU-Period-2-768x505.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Microsoft introduces\u00a0<strong>Period 2 Extended Security Updates<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a0<strong>Exchange Server 2016\/2019<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The new coverage period runs from\u00a0<strong>May 1,\u00a02026\u00a0through October 31, 2026<\/strong>\u00a0(six months)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Period 2 is a\u00a0<strong>separate purchase<\/strong> and not an automatic extension of Period 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Coverage is limited to\u00a0<strong>Critical and Important security updates<\/strong> as scored by the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No further extensions<\/strong>\u00a0will be offered after October 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What is changing?<\/h2>\n<p>On April 15, 2026, Microsoft confirmed a\u00a0<strong>second Extended Security Update period<\/strong>\u00a0for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Exchange Server 2016\/2019<\/strong> and<\/li>\n<li><strong>Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Period 1 concluded at the\u00a0<strong>end of April 2026<\/strong>, and Period 2 begins\u00a0<strong>May 1, 2026<\/strong>, ending\u00a0<strong>October 31, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Period 2 is structured as a\u00a0<strong>standalone contract<\/strong>. Organizations enrolled in Period 1 are\u00a0<strong>not automatically renewed<\/strong> and must\u00a0purchase\u00a0the new coverage separately. Customers who skipped Period 1 can still\u00a0purchase\u00a0Period 2 directly. You can buy the Period 2 ESU licenses via a <strong>Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What is the Extended Security Update (ESU) program?<\/h2>\n<p>The Extended Security Update program is a\u00a0<strong>paid, time-limited offering<\/strong>\u00a0that provides\u00a0<strong>Critical and Important security patches<\/strong>\u00a0for Microsoft products that have already passed their official end-of-support date. ESUs are\u00a0<strong>not a lifecycle extension<\/strong>: affected servers\u00a0remain\u00a0out of support, and standard support cases cannot be opened. Updates are distributed\u00a0<strong>privately to enrolled customers only<\/strong>\u00a0and are not published on the Microsoft Download Center.<\/p>\n<p>For Period 2, the supported builds are\u00a0<strong>Exchange Server 2016 CU23<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Exchange Server 2019 CU14\/CU15<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72411\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1543\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU.png 1543w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU-500x89.png 500w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU-800x143.png 800w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU-150x27.png 150w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU-768x137.png 768w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/SCHNEIDER-IT-MANAGEMENT-2026-03-16-Update-Microsoft-ESU-1536x275.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1543px) 100vw, 1543px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Customer benefits<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reduced exposure<\/strong>\u00a0to Critical and Important security vulnerabilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Additional\u00a0time<\/strong>\u00a0to complete migrations to Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE), Skype for Business Server SE, or Microsoft Teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Lower risk of\u00a0<strong>email throttling or blocking<\/strong>\u00a0by Exchange Online<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Continuity of\u00a0<strong>on-premises communication services<\/strong>\u00a0during the transition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Predictable,\u00a0<strong>contract-based security coverage<\/strong>\u00a0through October 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Key elements of Period 2 ESU<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Private distribution<\/strong>\u00a0of security updates to enrolled organizations only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Confirmation each\u00a0<strong>Patch Tuesday<\/strong>\u00a0whether an update was released<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cumulative coverage<\/strong>: Period 2 updates include any fixes from Period 1 builds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Dedicated\u00a0<strong>inquiry channel<\/strong>\u00a0for enrolled customers (ExchangeandSfBServerESUInquiry@service.microsoft.com)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Why Period 2 ESU is relevant (if only temporary)<\/h2>\n<p>Many organizations are still\u00a0finalizing\u00a0their migrations to\u00a0<strong>Exchange Server SE<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Skype for Business Server SE<\/strong>, or\u00a0<strong>Microsoft Teams<\/strong>. Running unpatched, out-of-support servers exposes mailboxes, identities, and communication infrastructure to known and emerging threats.<\/p>\n<p>Period 2 reduces that risk <strong>for a defined six-month window<\/strong>. It also helps\u00a0<strong>avoid email blocking by Exchange Online<\/strong>, which Microsoft applies to persistently vulnerable on-premises Exchange servers. After\u00a0<strong>October 31, 2026<\/strong>, no\u00a0additional\u00a0ESU coverage will be offered, which makes the next six months a\u00a0<strong>hard deadline<\/strong>\u00a0for migration planning.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Next Steps<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Review<\/strong>\u00a0which Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server instances\u00a0remain\u00a0in production<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Validate<\/strong>\u00a0current build levels against Period 2 supported versions (Exchange 2016 CU23, Exchange 2019 CU14\/CU15, Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/contact\/\"><strong>Contact<\/strong>\u00a0SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT<\/a> for Period 2 ESU pricing and ordering details<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Update<\/strong>\u00a0any servers still running pre-October 2025 builds to remove email throttling risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Plan<\/strong>\u00a0migration completion to Exchange Server SE, Skype for Business Server SE, or Microsoft Teams\u00a0<strong>before October 31, 2026<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Monitor<\/strong>\u00a0Patch Tuesday confirmations from Microsoft once enrolled<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Ready to plan your Exchange and Skype for Business migration?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-71856 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"2882\" height=\"1921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464.webp 2882w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-500x333.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/media\/2026\/03\/Office-People-DSCF8464-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2882px) 100vw, 2882px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Assess the\u00a0<strong>licensing impact and migration paths<\/strong> with our experts.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/contact\/\"><strong>Contact us today<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to optimize your licensing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em>Sources\u00a0<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><em>For the announcement of Microsoft Exchange Server Period 2 ESU, please visit:\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/techcommunity.microsoft.com\/blog\/exchange\/announcing-period-2-exchange-20162019-extended-security-update-esu-program\/4511603\"><em>https:\/\/techcommunity.microsoft.com\/blog\/exchange\/announcing-period-2-exchange-20162019-extended-security-update-esu-program\/4511603<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>For the announcement of Microsoft Skype for Business Server Period 2 ESU, please visit:\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/techcommunity.microsoft.com\/blog\/skype_for_business_blog\/announcing-%E2%80%9Cperiod-2%E2%80%9D-for-skype-for-business-server-20152019-extended-security-u\/4511619\"><em>https:\/\/techcommunity.microsoft.com\/blog\/skype_for_business_blog\/announcing-%E2%80%9Cperiod-2%E2%80%9D-for-skype-for-business-server-20152019-extended-security-u\/4511619<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>For useful software licensing information on Microsoft products, please visit:\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/software\/microsoft\/\"><em>https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/software\/microsoft\/<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keep\u00a0your communication systems protected\u00a0while you finish your migration: effective\u00a0May 1, 2026, Microsoft launches a\u00a0second six-month Extended Security Update (ESU) period\u00a0for Exchange Server 2016\/2019 and Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019. &nbsp; Summary Microsoft introduces\u00a0Period 2 Extended Security Updates\u00a0for\u00a0Exchange Server 2016\/2019\u00a0and\u00a0Skype for Business Server 2015\/2019 The new coverage period runs from\u00a0May 1,\u00a02026\u00a0through October 31, 2026\u00a0(six months) Period [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":33016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[126,294],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-microsoft-exchange-server","category-microsoft-skype-for-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73352"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73366,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73352\/revisions\/73366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schneider.im\/lu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}