Microsoft released new updates for Exchange Server on 20.04.2022. The new updates bring some new features and contain all previously released security updates. Click here to download directly:
With the release of the updates, Microsoft is also changing the way Exchange updates are provided. Previously, CUs for Exchange Server were released quarterly. From now on, there will only be new CUs for Exchange Server 2019 twice a year. Exchange 2016 will no longer receive a new CU, only security updates. Exchange 2016 is already in the extended support phase and will therefore no longer receive any new functions. Security updates are not affected by this rule; Microsoft will continue to provide updates for Exchange Server as required so that there is no need to wait for the next CU. The semi-annual release of updates does not change the support model; the previous CU and the current CU will be supported as usual.
With the April CUs, UNC paths are no longer supported in various Exchange commands, this change could cause problems with some scripts. Especially scripts that import or export certificates should be checked. The commands that are affected by this change can be found here:
Another important change is that Exchange 2019 is now also supported on Windows Server 2022. Previously, Exchange 2019 had to be installed on Windows Server 2019. New installations with CU12 can now be carried out directly on Windows Server 2022.
The two most important new features probably relate to Exchange Hybrid installations. CU12 for Exchange 2019 again includes a product key for Exchange Server 2019. This means that if Exchange 2019 is only used to manage Office 365 mailboxes and no more mailboxes are stored locally, an Exchange Server no longer needs to be licensed separately. This was already the case in Exchange 2013 and Exchange 2016, and Microsoft has now also implemented this for Exchange 2019.
With CU12, it is no longer necessary to operate an Exchange server to manage Office 365 mailboxes. The Exchange 2019 management tools can now be installed separately and without the mailbox role on a server or workstation. This means that Azure AD Connect can be used to synchronize user accounts without having to run an Exchange Server on-prem to manage the mailboxes. However, the last Exchange Server must still not be uninstalled, as otherwise AD objects that are required for managing the Office 365 mailboxes will be removed. The last Exchange server may therefore only be shut down, but not uninstalled. You can find the details in this article:
Last but not least, here are the links to the changes in the updates:
- Cumulative Update 12 for Exchange Server 2019 (KB5011156)
- Cumulative Update 23 for Exchange Server 2016 (KB5011155)
Here is the article on the Exchange Team Blog:
