Impact of Microsoft Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) on Active Roles (4380266)

Microsoft has announced the release of Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE), which replaces the traditional perpetual versions of Exchange Server (e.g., 2016 and 2019).

Customers are concerned about whether this transition will impact the integration and functionality of Active Roles in environments where Exchange Server is deployed.

For more information, please see the following announcement from Microsoft: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/exchange-server-subscription-edition-se-is-now-available/4424924

Microsoft is changing its on-premises Exchange strategy:

• Exchange SE moves from a perpetual license model to a subscription-based model.
• It follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy, meaning continuous servicing with no fixed end-of-life date, unlike Exchange Server 2016/2019 which reach end of support on October 14, 2025.
• Exchange SE RTM (first release) is functionally equivalent to Exchange Server 2019 CU15, with no Active Directory schema changes, no new prerequisites, and no removals of existing features.
• This has raised questions about compatibility with products that integrate with Exchange, including Active Roles.

Active Roles is not impacted by the transition from Exchange Server 2016/2019 to Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) and it should be supported by October 14^th.

• Functionality unchanged: Exchange SE RTM is binary-compatible with Exchange Server 2019 CU15, meaning Active Roles continues to manage Exchange recipients and mailboxes without modification;
• No schema or API differences: Since no Active Directory schema changes or Exchange management interface changes are introduced in SE RTM, Active Roles operations remain unaffected;
• Future updates: Microsoft will release cumulative updates (CUs) for SE under the Modern Lifecycle. Active Roles will continue to support Exchange management in line with these updates. Customers should remain current with Microsoft’s supported versions to ensure ongoing security and compliance;
• Customers currently running Active Roles with Exchange Server 2016/2019 can upgrade to Exchange SE without concern for Active Roles compatibility;
• Continue applying the latest Active Roles updates and Microsoft Exchange cumulative updates to remain supported;

Sumary: Active Roles will continue to work seamlessly with Exchange Server SE. No configuration changes are required, and customers can proceed with Exchange SE upgrades knowing that Active Roles support is unaffected.