Microsoft Licensing Update – August 2025
We collated all the latest updates from Microsoft that relate to licensing so that you don't have to! We highlight changes, updates, launches and discontinued features... here's our August update.
Exchange Server & Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition
- New subscription-based licensing models introduced for both Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server.
- In order to deploy and use Subscription Edition server products, customers must have active Software Assurance (SA) or cloud subscription licenses for all users and devices that access them.
- To support ongoing maintenance and updates for Microsoft’s on-premises server products, prices for all standalone on-premises server products (SharePoint Server, Exchange Server, and Skype for Business Server) increased by 10% on July 1, 2025.
Exchange 2016 / 2019 ESU Program Announced
With Exchange 2016 and 2019 reaching end of support on October 14, 2025, Microsoft is offering a 6-month Extended Security Update (ESU) program for customers still migrating to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE).
- Available from August 1, 2025 via Microsoft account teams.
- Covers Critical and Important security updates only.
- ESUs will be delivered privately—not via public channels.
- Valid until April 14, 2026; no extensions.
- Only for customers running Exchange 2016 CU23 or Exchange 2019 CU14/CU15.
Microsoft strongly recommends completing migrations to Exchange SE rather than relying on ESUs.
Announcing Exchange 2016 / 2019 Extended Security Update program | Microsoft Community Hub
Windows 10 Extended Support
The end of support for Windows 10 is fast approaching on 14th October, please ensure that you are taking the necessary actions to upgrade to Windows 11.
If any devices need to remain on Windows 10, there are a few options to obtain Windows 10 Extended Security Updates.
- Microsoft Volume Licensing
- Available via both EA and CSP starting from 1st September.
- Pricing starts at $61 USD per device for Year One, doubling each year for up to three years .
- Cloud-Based Licensing (No Additional Cost) ESU is included at no extra cost for Windows 10 virtual machines running in:
- Windows 365
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Azure VMs, Dedicated Host, VMware Solution
- Nutanix Cloud Clusters on Azure
- Azure Stack HCI (now Azure Local), Hub, and Edge
- Windows 365 Cloud PC Integration
- Windows 10 endpoints connecting to Windows 365 Cloud PCs are entitled to ESU for up to three years, as long as the Windows 365 subscription is active.
Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn
SQL Server Reporting Services Retired
Microsoft has confirmed that SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) will not be updated for SQL Server 2025. Instead, Power BI Report Server becomes the default reporting solution.
Previously available only to customers with SQL Server Enterprise Core licenses with Software Assurance, Power BI Report Server is now accessible to anyone with a paid edition of SQL Server 2025, regardless of Software Assurance.
SSRS 2022 remains supported until January 11, 2033 for those who wish to continue using it.
