Microsoft Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements After Exchange 2016/2019 Support Ends

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5 days ago
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Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 will both reach end of extended support on October 14, 2025. This deadline affects thousands of organizations still using these versions for email, calendars, and internal communications.

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After this date, no more security updates, bug fixes, or Microsoft support will be available.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 end of support in 2025 with hardware upgrade requirements for Exchange Server SE. server-parts.eu. refurbished

Who Is Affected - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

Any business, school, or institution using Exchange 2016 or 2019 for email and collaboration
IT departments managing these Exchange servers
End-users, such as employees, who rely on stable access to mail and calendars

Even if the system “just works,” the end of support means your servers will be running outdated software that can’t be secured. The risks grow every day after the deadline.

What Happens After October 14, 2025 - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

Security updates stop: No more patches from Microsoft, even for critical issues
Bug fixes stop: Any issues that pop up will stay unresolved
Microsoft support ends: If you run into a serious problem, Microsoft won't help
New threats target old Exchange: Cybercriminals often wait for end-of-support to target vulnerabilities
Cloud email delivery may fail: Microsoft has said that Exchange Online (Office 365) may block emails coming from out-of-support Exchange servers

Microsoft’s Upgrade Strategy - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

Microsoft wants users to move either:

To the cloud using Exchange Online (Microsoft 365)
To the new on-premises Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE), released in July 2025

But Exchange SE is not a simple install on your current server. Many organizations will need new server hardware.

What Are the Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements?

Exchange SE uses the same base as Exchange 2019 CU15 and runs on Windows Server 2025. Requirements are stricter than before:

CPU - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

64-bit Intel or AMD with x64 architecture
Must support SLAT, AES-NI, and TPM 2.0
Modern processors (2017 or newer)
Legacy CPUs like Westmere or Nehalem won't work

RAM - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

128 GB for Mailbox server
64 GB for Edge Transport
ECC memory required

Storage - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

RAID 1 or RAID 10 strongly preferred
SSD or hybrid setups recommended
SATA, SAS, or NVMe drives supported
No support for JBOD (non-redundant storage)

Network - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

1 GbE NIC minimum, 10 GbE preferred
Must support Windows Server 2025 drivers

Platform/Firmware - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

UEFI firmware only (no BIOS legacy mode)
TPM 2.0 module installed and enabled
Secure Boot support

These specs rule out many older servers — even ones that still seem fast today.

What This Means for You - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

If your server is more than 5–6 years old, there's a high chance:

It doesn’t have TPM 2.0
Its CPU isn’t supported
It won’t run Windows Server 2025 reliably

So if you're planning to stay on-premises and upgrade to Exchange SE, you will likely need new or refurbished modern servers.

What Should You Do Now - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

1. Check your current Exchange version

If you're still using 2016 or 2019, you're affected

2. Check your server hardware

Does your system meet the above specs?
If not, plan your upgrade path now

3. Choose your upgrade strategy

Exchange SE (on-premises): Plan for hardware refresh
Exchange Online: Check internet bandwidth, mailbox sizes, hybrid needs

4. Communicate with end users

Plan for downtime and changes to how users connect

5. Budget now

Costs could include hardware, licensing, migration services, consulting, and user support

Why the Pressure Is Real - Exchange Server SE Hardware Requirements

The 2021 Hafnium attack showed what happens when Exchange vulnerabilities are left unpatched. Since then, attackers have continued to look for exposed Exchange servers. Kaspersky even found a new backdoor targeting Exchange in August 2025. If you stay on 2016 or 2019 after the deadline, your organization will be an easy target.

Also, Exchange SE was released just 3 months before support ends. That’s a short timeline to evaluate hardware, plan migration, and make purchasing decisions.

End of support is not a distant concern anymore. It's weeks away. The time to prepare is now — whether you're planning to move to Exchange Online or refresh your on-prem infrastructure for the Subscription Edition. If you're working with refurbished enterprise servers, now is also a good time to check availability and lead times. Some compatible hardware may sell out as more companies start upgrading.