In recent weeks we’ve warned you about the impending end of Windows 7 and Server 2008. Sorry to pile on, but there’s another important end-of-support date looming—Exchange 2010 will reach the end of its ten-year lifecycle on January 14, 2020.
What will happen when Exchange 2010 reaches end of support?
As with other products that reach the end of their official lifecycles, Microsoft will no longer provide updates, fixes, or free support for Exchange 2010. Falling behind is a more serious risk than just being unfashionably out-of-date. Not only will you no longer receive security fixes, but you may also become the target of hackers trying to attack Exchange 2010, as they have done to other expired systems in the past. Every time a patch for a subsequent version is released, cyber-criminals will essentially be given a road map to existing vulnerabilities in Exchange 2010.
Per Microsoft:
When Exchange 2010 reaches its end of support on January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide:
-Technical support for problems that may occur
-Bug fixes for issues that are discovered and that may impact the stability and usability of the server
-Security fixes for vulnerabilities that are discovered and that may make the server vulnerable to security breaches
-Time zone updates
Installations of Exchange 2010 will continue to run after this date. However, because of the changes listed above, we strongly recommend that you migrate from Exchange 2010 as soon as possible.
What Should I Do?
Your upgrade options are Office 365 and Exchange 2016. This is an important juncture to consider whether you want to make the switch to the cloud or stay on-premises. Check out this detailed article by Exchange Master Joe Hoegler for an in-depth discussion of the issue. By upgrading to Office 365, you will be upgrading to Microsoft’s latest version and entering the world of continuous updates, whereas if you go to Exchange 2016 you are likely postponing a move to the cloud.
Whichever route you choose, the key is to start planning now.