We are excited to announce the general availability of Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE). This release continues Microsoft’s long tradition of enabling customers to provide enterprise email s...
Updated Aug 06, 2025
Version 5.0
Blog Post
Nino_Bilic
Microsoft
MicrosoftExchange SE (ESE) RTM coexists with E2016/E2019 no problem. So take the direction that is easiest for you.
But something else you said: "1x Exchange Server 2016 - Powered off and powered on for patching (no Services, no smtp services, no mail - all mailboxes are in Exchange Online) - my understanding exchange server needs to exist for management purposes only and can't be fully removed as long as we are AD Hybrid?"
Actually that ^ is not the case. You can be "serverless" if you installed E2019 / ESE RTM management tools and then ran the cleanup script. This will allow you to manage your recipients (but through PowerShell only) without having a server at all. Management tools can be installed on a Workstation even. The article that talks about all that is here: Manage recipients in Exchange Server 2019 Hybrid environments | Microsoft Learn
Please provide a list of all eligible Microsoft 365 plans through CSP/NCE that will automatically receive the on-premises use rights that include Exchange Server Subscription Edition.
Additionally, would you please provide a link to the Microsoft documentation that explains how the Exchange Server Subscription Edition use rights work with Microsoft 365 plans through CSP/NCE.
- Nino_Bilic
I am not aware of CSP Microsoft 365 plans that contain this benefit, but this is something that you should really check with CSPs. Microsoft plans that contain this can be found as follows: check your specific program from the "Program" dropdown on the Microsoft Product Terms site (https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/EAEAS) and then look for the "Extended use rights" clause after you choose your program.