Update 7/15/2025: Added a mention of Exchange 2016/2019 ESU program.
In May 2024, we shared our Exchange Server Roadmap Update and our plans for the future of Exchange Server. Since then, we’ve bee...
Updated Aug 13, 2025
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The problem here, however, is that according to the product terms, the right to install Office servers is only permitted via M365 E3 or E5 purchased via EA, as can be seen here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/EAEAS#clause-2643-h3-1
Extended Use Rights for M365 E3/E - Office Servers installationHowever, it is not permitted if the M365 E3 or E5 was purchased via Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), which is covered by the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA): https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/MCA
Therefore, for companies that currently purchase licenses via CSP, there is currently no solution for licensing on-premises Exchange Server SE.
So how can this be licensed via CSP?
This point really needs clarification. Checking the Microsoft Product Terms, Extended User Rights only appear under EA/EAS/SCE, EES, MPSA, OL, OV/OVS and OVS-ES. It seems that only ‘volume licensing’ programmes may include the server licenses under ‘Extended Use Rights’ - according to the Microsoft licensing comparison chart linked below, the term ‘volume licensing’ may not apply to CSP/MCA or MOSA.
I also found that the new Exchange Server SE EULA implies you have to acquire SE under *volume licensing*, and the same licensing comparison document linked below states that ‘On-premises software… [is] not available through the MCA/MOSA’.
