Microsoft's on-prem Exchange and Skype for Business Server go subscription-only

Microsoft has made Subscription Editions (SE) of Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server generally available, marking an end to year-numbered versions.

Redmond has cut it fine for the updates. The previous versions, Exchange Server 2019 and Skype for Business Server 2019, are due to drop out of extended support on October 14, as are Exchange Server 2016 and Skype for Business Server 2016.

Microsoft has sought to make the transition straightforward for administrators and said that only changes between the last cumulative update for Exchange Server 2019 (CU15) include an update to the license agreement, a name change, a build and version number update, and the rolling up of updates released since CU15. The same applies to Skype for Business Server SE (other than the CU15 part, of course).

The upgrade is deemed - at least by Microsoft - to be low risk, though we can't imagine any administrators trusting ...