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Announcing “Period 2” for Skype for Business Server 2015/2019 Extended Security Update (ESU) Program

Paulkwo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:39:10 GMT

While both Skype for Business (SfB) Server 2015 and 2019 have been out of Support since October 2025, some of our customers who needed more time to finalize migrations to SfB Server Subscription Edition (SE) or to Teams opted to enroll into the Extended Security Update program. That ESU program started in October 2025, and is concluding at the end of April 2026.

As the end of ESU draws near, some of our customers told us that they will need additional time to finalize their SfB Server 2015/2019 migrations.

Today, we are announcing that we have created a “Period 2” for the SfB Server ESU program. This period will be another 6 months, lasting from the start of May 2026, through the end of October 2026. There will be no further extensions of this program after that.

Conditions of the “Period 2” ESU program

Customers who wish to enroll in the Period 2 program will have to re-purchase the ESU for the SfB servers they need to cover during Period 2. Period 2 is not an “extension” of the current (i.e. Period 1) SfB ESU program and your organization does not automatically enroll into Period 2, either. You will have to proactively purchase ESU specifically for this new time period from May 2026-October 2026 (in the same way that you purchased the original ESU).

It is not necessary to have purchased Period 1 ESU to participate in Period 2.

After a purchase is completed, the participating organization will receive information on how to download the updates released under the Period 2 ESU. The Period 1 ESU program instructions will not work for ESU updates released after April 2026.

Starting today, customers can contact their Microsoft account team to get pricing information and purchase Period 2 ESU for their SfB 2015 and SfB 2019 servers.

What does this mean?

This Period 2 ESU is not an “extension of the support lifecycle” (Microsoft Lifecycle Policy | Microsoft Learn) for Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019. Those servers are still out-of-support as of October 14, 2025, and you will not be able to open support cases for them (unless directly related to an issue with a SU released to ESU customers during the ESU period).
This Period 2 ESU is a way for customers who are unable to finalize their migrations to SfB Server SE or Teams before the end of April 2026, to receive Critical and Important Security Updates (as currently defined by Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) scoring) during Period 2. If there are SUs that we need to release, we will privately provide such SUs to ESU customers only. SfB Server 2015 and 2019 SUs will not be released on public Download Center.
SUs are released only if Critical or Important security issues are discovered in the product. We will confirm with ESU participants each Patch Tuesday whether an SU was provided or not.
This Period 2 ESU will be valid for 6 months only (from May through October, 2026).

FAQs

Why does Microsoft require an additional purchase for Period 2 of this ESU if our organization already has the original SfB Server ESU?
The first period was priced appropriately for a 6-month program, so a second 6-month period must be purchased separately.

How are SfB Server ESU updates distributed?
Updates released under Period 2 SfB ESU will follow the same process as updates released under the original ESU program: Once enrolled, your organization will be provided information on how to access any ESU updates released during Period 2.

Our organization has Microsoft Volume Licensing. Do we get the SfB ESU automatically?
No. The SfB ESU program is a separate contract that each organization must explicitly purchase via their Microsoft account team.

Help! We purchased the ESU (original or Period 2) – but we do not know how to access the updates!
If you have already purchased the ESU and need information on accessing the latest Security Updates, please contact us by sending an email to ExchangeandSfBServerESUInquiry@service.microsoft.com.

A similar program is available for our Exchange Server customers. Please read more here: Announcing Period 2 Exchange 2016/2019 Extended Security Update (ESU) program

The Skype for Business Server Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for April 2026

Paulkwo — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:55:29 GMT

Although Skype for Business 2015 and 2019 are now out of support, some customers have purchased the Skype for Business 2015 and 2019 Extended Security Update (ESU). We have therefore decided that until the end of this Skype for Business 2015 and 2019 ESU period (April 2026) we will make an explicit update related announcement even if we DO NOT release anything for that particular month. 

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in April 2026, for customers with SfB 2015/SfB 2019 ESU, or SfB SE.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

Skype for Business Basic Client Update – New Version Released

Paulkwo — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:46:35 GMT

We’re pleased to announce the availability of a new Skype for Business Basic Client.

The following notes are also presented in KB Article: KB5070432

Summary

Skype for Business Basic client is a feature reduced version of the Skype for Business client that is intended for users who do not have a license for the full Skype for Business client. For more information on the differences between the Basic client and the Full client, please see Desktop client feature comparison for Skype for Business Server 2019

Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows

This is the latest version of the Skype for Business Basic client that can be installed by users who have no version of Office installed, or by users which have Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows installed, but do not have a Skype for Business license.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows installer:  Download the Skype for Business Basic client

Important! This installer is not compatible with Office LTSC installations. We are currently evaluating options to enable installation of Skype for Business Basic client along-side these versions.

Office 2016 MSI

The Skype for Business 2016 Basic client is a legacy version which is no longer supported. We continue to provide access to this version for backwards compatibility; however, it will be removed at a later date.

Office 2016 MSI installer:  Download the Microsoft Skype for Business 2016 Basic client

Thank you for your continued use of Skype for Business and for your ongoing feedback, which helps guide our servicing efforts.

The Skype for Business Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for March 2026

Paulkwo — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:59:11 GMT

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in March 2026, for customers with SfB 2015/SfB 2019 ESU, or SfB SE.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

Skype for Business for Mac Client Update – Version 16.31.31 Released

Paulkwo — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:48:48 GMT

We’re pleased to announce the availability of Skype for Business for Mac client version 16.31.31, the latest update for customers who continue to rely on Skype for Business in their daily communications.

This release focuses on maintaining compatibility, reliability, and overall client quality on macOS. As Apple continues to evolve the platform, staying current with supported frameworks and tooling is essential to ensuring a stable and secure experience for our customers. Version 16.31.31 reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping the Skype for Business Mac client aligned with modern macOS requirements.

Customers using Skype for Business on Mac are encouraged to move to this latest version to benefit from the most up‑to‑date client build and to ensure continued supportability. As always, we recommend keeping clients current to minimize issues and take advantage of ongoing servicing improvements.

You can download the latest Skype for Business for Mac client from the Microsoft Download Center (Download Skype for Business on Mac from Official Microsoft Download Center), and review update information on the What’s New in Skype for Business page for the latest update information.

Note that for the time being, we have left the previous Skype for Business on Mac download (Version 16.31.11) as an available download in case you still need it during your upgrade process. But, it is no longer the supported client and at some to-be-determined time in the future, this old version will be removed from the download page.

Thank you for your continued use of Skype for Business and for your ongoing feedback, which helps guide our servicing efforts.

The Skype for Business Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for February 2026

Paulkwo — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:00:11 GMT

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in February 2026, for customers with SfB 2015/SfB 2019 ESU, or SfB SE.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for January 2026

Paulkwo — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:55:20 GMT

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in January 2026, for customers with SfB 2015/SfB 2019 ESU, or SfB SE.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for December 2025

Paulkwo — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:00:07 GMT

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in December 2025, for customers with SfB SE, or SfB 2015 or 2019 ESU.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

No Skype for Business Server Security Updates for November 2025

Paulkwo — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 18:26:40 GMT

There are no security releases for any version of Skype for Business Server in November 2025, for customers with SfB SE, or SfB 2015 or 2019 ESU.

Please keep upgrading your organizations to Skype for Business SE.

The Skype for Business Team

Skype For Business SE - persistent Chat

stima — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:23:12 GMT

Hello,

maybe someone of you run into the same error and is able to help me on this topic:

we are using SkypeForBusiness only for internal communication

last week we have upgraded SkypeForBusinness 2019 to SE: "SkypeServerUpdateInstaller.exe" run without errors, installed the necessary updates and we were able to upgrade to SE on topology builder and publish the new version.

on the next step we tried to activate persistent chat.

so same procedure for the upgrade: start the update file "PersistentChatUpateInstaller.exe", nothing else to upgrade

the first steps (install new sql instance, configure topology builder, publish the new topology were easy, no issues occured.

but when we start the Deployment Wizard to install the necessary components we received the error:

"File not found trying to install installing c:\programdata\skype for business server\deployment\cache\7.0.2046.0\setup\mgcserver.msi (feature_chat_server)"

my question:

how can we install the necessary roles/components to activate persistent chat.

the file MgcServer.msi couldn't be found on the server, i can't find it on the SkypeForBusinnes 2019 ISO, too.

one version i found, was located on the ISO for SkypeForBusiness 2015 ISO, but this version can't be installed.

Thanks in advance,

best regards,

Markus

Retirement Date for Office Online Server (OOS) has been Announced

Paulkwo — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:58:22 GMT

We want to let our Skype for Business Server customers know that the Office Online Server (OOS) team has announced product retirement on December 31, 2026: Announcing the retirement for Office Online Server.

Office Online Server (formerly known as Office Web Apps Server) is an optional component that can be integrated with Skype for Business Server on-premises and it provides the ability to work with supported types of file attachments in various scenarios without having to download them, first.

What Skype for Business Customers Lose When Office Online Server Retires

Microsoft Office Online Server (OOS) has provided enhanced PowerPoint experiences in Skype for Business meetings. With its upcoming retirement, organizations relying on Skype for Business should understand what functionality will disappear, and why it matters.

Key Features Going Away

When OOS is removed from your environment, these capabilities will no longer be available:

High-Fidelity PowerPoint Rendering
OOS processes PowerPoint files on dedicated servers, delivering animations, transitions, and embedded media with near-native quality. Without it, PowerPoint presentations may only be shared via screen sharing.

Presenter Notes
Presenters currently have private access to notes during meetings, which will go away without OOS. Alternatives are separate devices or printed notes. If using screen sharing, notes would still be available for the presenter on a secondary screen.

In-Meeting Annotations
Today, participants can highlight, draw, and stamp directly on slides without altering the original file. After OOS retirement, this interactive collaboration is no longer available.

Embedded Video Playback
Videos embedded in PowerPoint slides play via OOS. Post-retirement, these videos will play back with lower fidelity in Skype for Business meetings when screen sharing.

Why This Matters

If your organization relies on presentations using the OOS-enabled features called out, above, the loss of OOS will impact meeting quality. Plan ahead by migrating to Microsoft Teams or adjusting workflows.

What Remains

Basic screen sharing will still work. Features like whiteboards, polls, and app sharing remain unaffected.

FAQ: Office Online Server (OOS) Retirement and Impact on Skype for Business

Q1: What is happening to Office Online Server?

Office Online Server is being retired and will no longer be supported by Microsoft. This affects organizations using Skype for Business for rich PowerPoint presentations.

Q2: What functionality will we lose in Skype for Business meetings?

Without OOS, these features will no longer be available:

High-fidelity PowerPoint rendering (animations, transitions, embedded media)

Presenter notes visible only to presenters

In-meeting annotations (drawing, highlighting, stamping)

Embedded video playback within PowerPoint slides

Q3: Will basic screen sharing still work?

Yes. You can still share your screen or application window, but it lacks the advanced capabilities OOS provided.

Q4: Are other Skype for Business features affected?

No. Features like whiteboards, polls, and app sharing remain unchanged.

Q5: Will OOS stop working after the retirement date?

No. Microsoft will not actively block usage of OOS with Skype for Business Server after its retirement. However, OOS will no longer be maintained with bug fixes and features, and no further security updates will be provided.

Q6: What should we do to prepare?

Consider:

Migrating to Microsoft Teams, which offers modern meeting experiences.

Adjusting workflows for presentations (e.g., using screen share or Teams Live Events).

The Skype for Business Team

Support for Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019 ends today

Paulkwo — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:01:58 GMT

Today, October 14, 2025,  Skype for Business Server 2015, Skype for Business Server 2019, Skype for Business 2016 (client), and Skype for Business 2019 (client) reach end of support. It’s therefore critical to upgrade now to remain supported and secure.

Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, meaning some problems may occur with these products. Users will no longer receive:

Bug fixes for issues that may impact the stability and usability of the server or clients.

Security fixes for vulnerabilities that may make the server or clients vulnerable to security breaches.

Customer installations of Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019 and clients running Skype for Business 2016 and Skype for Business 2019 will continue to run after today. However, continuing to use these offerings after the end-of-support date invites potential future security risks, so we strongly recommend taking immediate action.

Our recommendation is to migrate to Microsoft Teams or upgrade your organization to Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE).

Migrate to Microsoft Teams

Customers get the best value and user experience by migrating from Skype for Business Server to Microsoft Teams. Migrating to Microsoft Teams is the best and simplest option to help you retire your Skype for Business Server deployment.

When you migrate to Microsoft Teams, you make a straightforward hop away from an on-premises deployment and benefit from new features and technologies, including advanced generative AI technologies that provide meeting summaries, that are available in the cloud but not on-premises.

If you're migrating to Microsoft 365, you might be eligible to use our Microsoft FastTrack service. FastTrack shares best practices and provides tools and resources to make your migration to Microsoft 365 as seamless as possible. Best of all, you’ll have a support engineer helping you, from planning and designing to migrating your last mailbox. For more information about FastTrack, see Microsoft FastTrack.

Prepare to Upgrade to Skype for Business Server SE

In July 2025, we announced the general availability of Skype for Business Server SE with details on how to upgrade if you intend to continue to run Skype for Business Server on-premises.

If you are running Skype for Business Server 2019, we recommend that you upgrade in-place to Skype for Business Server SE.
If you are running Skype for Business Server 2015, we recommend that you perform a legacy (a.k.a. side-by-side) upgrade to Skype for Business Server SE.

Skype for Business Technology Adoption Program

If your organization intends to continue running Skype for Business Server and you want to test and evaluate pre-release builds of Skype for Business Server SE, you can apply to join the Skype for Business Technology Adoption Program (TAP).

Joining the TAP has several advantages, such as the ability to provide input and feedback on future updates, develop a close relationship with the Skype for Business engineering team, receive pre-release information about Skype for Business, and more. TAP members also get support from Microsoft at no additional charge for issues related to the TAP.

All nominations are reviewed and screened prior to acceptance. No customers are allowed access to any pre-release downloads or information until all legal paperwork is properly executed. Nomination does not mean acceptance, as not all nominees will be chosen for the TAP. If you are preliminarily accepted, we will contact you to get the required paperwork started.

Related Microsoft Products Reaching End of Support on October 14, 2025

In addition to the above Skype for Business products, several other products (some of which are often used with Skype for Business) also reach end of support or retirement on October 14, 2025, including Exchange Server 2016, Exchange Server 2019, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, Windows 10, and more.

You can search product and services lifecycle information to get detailed information for your Microsoft products and services.

– Skype for Business Server Engineering Team

Hotfix Released for Skype for Business Server SE (SE RTM Hotfix 2)

Paulkwo — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:31:02 GMT

Microsoft has released a hotfix update for Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (Version 7.0.2046.828) to resolve two issues impacting functionality:

MACP Icons Not Loading Offline: Icons in the MACP interface were failing to load when the server was accessed without an internet connection. (KB5067476)

Export-CsRGSConfiguration Command Failure: The Export-CsRGSConfiguration PowerShell command was not executing properly on Skype for Business SE Edition Server. (KB5067477)

This update addresses both problems and improves overall stability.

You can download this latest build here: Download Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition RTM Hotfix 2 KB5065372 from Official Microsoft Download Center

– Skype for Business Server Engineering Team

SfB 2019 Install Help

IBrokeit — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:34:06 GMT

Hey everyone!

Happy Monday! I'm trying to install a handful of on-prem Skype for Business 2019 into a lab environment and I'm falling at the second hurdle when running 'Setup or Remove SfB Server Components'. I'm getting the error: 'Error 0x8007054b (The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted) setting launch conditions on DCOM layer during action SetDCOMSecurityEx.
CustomAction CA_SetDCOMSecurity returned actual error code 1603 (note this may not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside sandbox)

Error returned while installing Server.msi(Feature_Server, Feature_HealthAgent), code 1603. Error Message: A fatal error occurred during installation.'

All of the servers are part of the same domain. I can log into the skype servers with a domain account, DNs all seems to be working, nltest commands seem to come back normal.

Things that I've tried:

- Adjusting the COM Security settings for launch and Activation Permission to include RTCUniversalServerAdmins and my admin account to allow local/remote launch, and local/remote activation

- Setting a group policy to allow the group EVERYONE to make remote SAM calls (this seemed to have a broken a lot so reverted... I saw it on an MS forum that fixed it for someone)

- Run the installer as admin, run it w/out admin

- Put the server into a 'staging' area in AD with no policies applied.

Fortunately this same error is happening on all servers, which implies that there is a policy, registry key or some permission that's getting in the way.

Does anyone have any ideas of some other things that I can try?

Thank you!

Edit: I know Skype 2019 is old, I know I should be using something else. I'll be moving to Skype SE in Oct.

T-1 month: Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019 End of Support

Paulkwo — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:48:47 GMT

September 14, 2025

On October 14, 2025, one month from now, Skype for Business Server 2015, Skype for Business Server 2019, Skype for Business 2016 (client), and Skype for Business 2019 (client) reach end of support. It’s therefore critical to upgrade now to remain supported and secure.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, meaning some problems may occur with these products. Users will no longer receive:

Bug fixes for issues that may impact the stability and usability of the server or clients.

Security fixes for vulnerabilities that may make the server or clients vulnerable to security breaches.

Customer installations of Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019 and clients running Skype for Business 2016 and Skype for Business 2019 will continue to run after October 14, 2025. However, continuing to use these offerings after the end-of-support date invites potential future security risks, so we strongly recommend taking immediate action.

Our recommendation is to migrate to Microsoft Teams or  upgrade your organization to Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE).

Migrate to Microsoft Teams

Prepare to Upgrade to Skype for Business Server SE

In July 2025, we announced the general availability of Skype for Business Server SE with details on how to upgrade if you intend to continue to run Skype for Business Server on-premises.

If you are running Skype for Business Server 2019, we recommend that you upgrade in-place to Skype for Business Server SE.

If you are running Skype for Business Server 2015, we recommend that you perform a legacy (a.k.a. side-by-side) upgrade to Skype for Business Server SE.

Skype for Business Technology Adoption Program

Related Microsoft Products Reaching End of Support on October 14, 2025

You can search product and services lifecycle information to get detailed information for your Microsoft products and services.

– Skype for Business Server Engineering Team

How to Remove Skype for Business

sybase54 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:48:06 GMT

Skype for Business currently installs as a packaged product with Microsoft 365 Business Professional desktop apps. The installation does not install Teams as a part of the Microsoft 365 Business Professional desktop apps. Additionally, Skype for Business has its own installation which is separate from Microsoft 365 Business Professional desktop apps installation.

Windows OS: 11 Pro w/ Windows updates.
Issues:

Users are unable to remove Skype for Business from their desktop by clicking “Uninstall” located on the Windows Start menu.
Teams upgrade requires Skype for Business settings to be set manually via the Teams Admin Center.
Using the PowerShell command: uninstall-package 'Microsoft Skype for Business MUI (English) 2016' to remove Skype for Business requires NuGet to be manually installed prior to performing a removal task or does not remove the application at all. The odd thing about this is that the system recognizes that a 2016 edition of Skype for Business exists.
Note: Microsoft Word reads with the following version number: Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2508 Build 16.0.19127.20082) 64-bit
Granting and then revoking API permissions via Entra Admin center does not separate Skype for Business from the Microsoft 365 Business Professional installation.
Uninstalling Microsoft 365 Business Professional desktop apps only removes the Skype for Business app temporarily until reinstallation occurs.

Released: August 2025 Skype for Business Server Hotfix Updates

Paulkwo — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:00:06 GMT

Summary

Microsoft has released Hotfix Updates (HUs) for Skype for Business (SfB) Server that introduces support for a new security-related feature. Starting with the August 2025 Hotfix (HF), Skype for Business Server has the capability to configure a Dedicated Hybrid Application to ensure secure and reliable hybrid integration with Exchange Online.

Additionally, this release includes updates for the Skype Meetings Application. After October 15, 2025, the Skype Meetings Application may not function correctly unless this Hotfix is installed.

Note: For Skype for Business Server 2015, administrators must also run the add_sfbassets.ps1 script after installing the update to ensure continued functionality of the Skype Meetings Application. The script is available on the SfB 2015 Download Center Page.

Supported Versions

Hotfix Updates are available for the following versions:

Skype for Business Server 2015 CU13 (KB3061064)

Skype for Business Server 2019 CU8 (KB4470124)

Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) RTM (KB5065372)

What’s Changing?

Previously, Skype for Business Server utilized a Microsoft-managed Shared Service Principal for authentication and access to Exchange Online in support of hybrid features, including:

Archiving to Exchange Online

Calendar-based presence

Profile picture synchronization

With this release, organizations can (and should) configure a customer-managed Dedicated Hybrid Application within their Microsoft Entra ID tenant. Failure to implement this configuration will result in the discontinuation of hybrid features as outlined in Plan to integrate Skype for Business and Exchange.

From the following server versions onward, Skype for Business provides support for the Dedicated Hybrid Application:

Server Version	Minimum Build
Skype for Business Server 2015	6.0.9319.881
Skype for Business Server 2019	7.0.2046.553
Skype for Business Server SE	7.0.2046.820

Details regarding the prerequisites and steps required to set up the Dedicated Hybrid Application for Skype for Business are available in the Configure dedicated hybrid application in Skype for Business Server documentation.

The Skype for Business Server Team

Migration from 2015 to SFB 2019 with SQL FCI

Ralf Bopp — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:40:36 GMT

Hi,

Customer have a 2015 setup with SQL Mirroring.

All working fine so far.

Now we Setup a WFCI with CSV and an SQL FCI. The installation ran smooth and we can access the SQL FCI Name via SQL Management Studio.

Also test with port 1433 and 1434 are working. Permissions are checked and we have sa rights on the Databases.

After Setting up the 2019 environment in the Topology the Databases for the 2019 environment cannot be installed on the SQL FCI.

Always the same error, trying with Install-CSDatabse or with the TB.

User also have sa rights.

After 10minutes this error occured :

****Creating DbSetupInstance for 'Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.XdsDatabase'****
Initializing DbSetupBase
Parsing parameters...
Found Parameter: SqlServer Value cluster.lab.com.
Found Parameter: SqlFilePath Value C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skype for Business Server 2019\DbSetup.
Found Parameter: DatabaseType Value CentralMgmt.
Found Parameter: FeatureName Value CentralMgmtStore.
Found Parameter: DatabaseNames Value System.Collections.Generic.List`1[System.String].
Found Parameter: Publisheracct Value LWK\RTCUniversalServerAdmins.
Found Parameter: Replicatoracct Value LWK\RTCUniversalConfigReplicator.
Found Parameter: Consumeracct Value LWK\RTCUniversalReadOnlyAdmins.
Found Parameter: Role Value master.
Trying to connect to Sql Server cluster.lab.com. using windows authentication...
Sql version: Major: 16, Minor: 0, Build 1000.
Sql version is acceptable.
Validating parameters...
DbName xds validated.
SqlFilePath C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skype for Business Server 2019\DbSetup validated.
DbFileBase xds validated.
DbPath is not specified, using default.
Default DB Path is C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
DbPath C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\ validated.
Effective database Path: \\cluster.lab.com\C$\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
LogPath is not specified, using default.
Default Log Path is C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
LogPath C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\ validated.
Effective Log Path: \\cluster.lab.com\C$\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
Checking state for database xds.
Checking state for database xds.
Checking state for database xds.
State of database xds is detached.
Attaching database xds from Data Path \\cluster.lab.com\C$\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\, Log Path \\cluster.lab.com\C$\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
The operation failed because of missing file '\\cluster.lab.com\C$\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\xds.mdf'
Attaching database failed because one of the files not found. The database will be created.
State of database xds is DbState_DoesNotExist.
Creating database xds from scratch. Data File Path = C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\, Log File Path= C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\.
Clean installing database xds.
System.IO.IOException: The network name cannot be found.

at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.Directory.InternalCreateDirectory(String fullPath, String path, Object dirSecurityObj, Boolean checkHost)
at System.IO.Directory.InternalCreateDirectoryHelper(String path, Boolean checkHost)
at Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.DatabaseManager.CreateDatabase(String dbFileBase, String dbPath, String logPath, Int32 dbSizeMB, Int32 logSizeMB, Int32 dbGrowthMB, Int32 logGrowthMB, Int32 maxDbSizeMB, Int32 maxLogSizeMB)
at Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.DatabaseManager.CleanInstallDatabase(String dbFileBase, String initialScripfilePath, String dbPath, String logPath, Int32 dbSizeMB, Int32 logSizeMB, Int32 dbGrowthMB, Int32 logGrowthMB, Int32 maxDbSizeMB, Int32 maxLogSizeMB)
at Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.DbSetupBase.CleanInstallDatabase()
at Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.DbSetupBase.CreateOrUpdateDatabase()
at Microsoft.Rtc.Common.Data.XdsDatabase.CreateOrUpdateDatabase()
at Microsoft.Rtc.Management.Deployment.Tasks.DatabaseCreator.CreateDatabaseForFeature(String featureName, Boolean clean, Boolean update, String sqlServer, String instanceName, String databaseType, List`1 databaseNames, Boolean collocated, Boolean backup, Boolean noreindex, DatabasePathAssignment[] pathAssignments, Boolean broadCast, String& logfile)

We tried nearly everything. But SQL FCI with Skype for Business seems not so common.

Thank you for Help

Br.

Ralf

Announcing Skype for Business 2015 / 2019 Extended Security Update program

Paulkwo — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:49 GMT

EDIT 4/15/2026: We have now announced Period 2 of this ESU program which needs to be purchased separately. If your organization requires SfB ESU between May and October 2026, you will have to re-purchase the ESU. Please see Announcing “Period 2” for Skype for Business Server 2015/2019 Extended Security Update (ESU) Program | Microsoft Community Hub for more information.

With both Skype for Business 2015 and 2019 going out of support in October 2025, we have heard from some of our customers that they have started their migrations to Skype for Business Subscription Edition (SE), but might need a few extra months of Security Update (SU) coverage for their Skype for Business 2015/2019 servers while they are finalizing their migrations.

We are announcing that we now have a solution for such customers. Starting on August 1^st, 2025, customers can contact their Microsoft account team to get information about and purchase an additional 6-month Extended Security Update (ESU) for their Skype for Business 2015/2019 servers. Your account teams will have information related to per server cost and additional details on how to purchase and receive ESUs, starting August 1^st, 2025.

What does this mean?

This ESU is not an “extension of the support lifecycle” (Microsoft Lifecycle Policy | Microsoft Learn) for Skype for Business 2015/2019. Those servers still go out-of-support on October 14, 2025, and you will not be able to open support cases for them (unless directly related to an issue with a SU released to ESU customers during the ESU period).
This ESU is a way for customers who might not be able to finalize their migrations to Skype for Business SE before October 14, 2025, to receive Critical and Important updates (as currently defined by Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) scoring) as SUs that we might release after October 2025. If there are SUs that we need to release, we will privately provide such SUs to ESU customers. Skype for Business 2015/2019 SUs will not be released on public Download Center or Windows Update after October 2025.
We are not committing to actually releasing any SUs during the ESU period. Skype for Business Server does not often release Security Updates on Patch Tuesday (2^nd Tuesday of the month) as SUs are released only if there are Critical or Important security product changes. Therefore, if there are no SUs that we need to release during the time of ESU, there will be no such updates provided. We will, however, confirm with ESU participants each Patch Tuesday whether an SU was provided or not.
This ESU will be valid for 6 months only (through April 14, 2026). This period will not be extended past April 2026 (you do not need to ask).

Who is Skype for Business 2015/2019 ESU for?

This program is intended only for customers who are unable to finalize their migrations to Skype for Business SE before end of support lifecycle for Skype for Business 2015/2019, and still need Critical and Important security coverage for the older servers still in operation.

We recommend that customers do not rely on this ESU, but instead upgrade their organizations to Skype for Business SE in time.
Customers using Skype for Business 2019 should in-place upgrade to Skype for Business SE quickly and switch to the Skype for Business SE modern lifecycle policy.

Please continue migrating to Skype for Business SE in time instead of taking advantage of this ESU program. But if you really must, please contact your Microsoft account team for more details starting August 1^st, 2025.

A similar program is available for our Exchange Server customers. Please read more here: Announcing Exchange 2016 / 2019 Extended Security Update program

The Skype for Business Server Team

Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) is now available

Paulkwo — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:17:54 GMT

We are excited to announce the general availability of Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE). This release provides a sustainable model for Microsoft to continue offering an on-premises unified communications platform that integrates instant messaging, voice and video calls, online meetings, and presence information to enhance collaboration and productivity across organizations. While Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 will continue to offer the latest and most innovative solutions – including the integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot – Skype for Business Server SE demonstrates our commitment to ongoing support for scenarios where on-premises solutions remain critical.

To help bring Skype for Business Server into the future, the Subscription Edition introduces some changes to the way Skype for Business is serviced and licensed. Unlike previous versions of Skype for Business, the Subscription Edition is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy. This means that from now on, support will have no fixed end date provided customers keep their configurations up-to-date. Instead, the Skype for Business Server SE codebase will be serviced continuously as an evergreen product, with no further major, year-numbered versions.

Release Details

As we’ve shared previously, the Skype for Business Server SE Release to Manufacturing (RTM) build can be installed as a Cumulative Update (CU) to Skype for Business Server 2019 and can be joined to your Skype for Business 2015/2019 environments. For additional information on the upgrade process, please read our detailed post from April 2025.

For customers who are already using Skype for Business Server 2019 today, our recommendation is to in-place upgrade the servers to Skype for Business Server SE, which will switch them to the Skype for Business Server SE branding. Skype for Business Server SE RTM is unlike previous Skype for Business Server RTM releases, as it uses Skype for Business Server 2019 CU8HF1 (i.e. March 2025 cumulative update 7.0.2046.548 for Skype for Business Server 2019) as the codebase and contains no major changes when compared to Skype for Business Server 2019 CU8HF1. See Why “in-place upgrade” from Skype for Business Server 2019 to Subscription Edition (SE) is low risk for more information on the in-place upgrade path and why it is highly recommended.

To ease the in-place upgrade process from Skype for Business Server 2019 to Skype for Business Server SE RTM, the following is true when comparing Skype for Business Server SE RTM to Skype for Business 2019 CU8HF1:

No features were removed or added.
No installation prerequisites were changed.

The following are the differences from Skype for Business 2019 CU8HF1:

The License Agreement (an RTF file shown only in the GUI version of Setup) was updated.
The name was changed from Microsoft Skype for Business Server 2019 to Microsoft Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition.
The build number was updated.

Please see System requirements for Skype for Business Server 2019 - Skype for Business Server 2019 | Microsoft Learn for Skype for Business Server SE installation prerequisite details.

You can download the installer for SE and the installer for PChat from: Download Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition Cumulative Update KB5065372 from Official Microsoft Download Center.

Looking forward

While the RTM release of Skype for Business Server SE is currently identical to Skype for Business Server 2019 CU8HF1, this will not remain the case. After support for Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019 ends in October 2025, Skype for Business Server SE will be the only supported on-premises version of Skype for Business Server. This will create unique opportunities to simplify, streamline, and modernize the product over the coming years. We will continue releasing Skype for Business Server SE Cumulative Updates and Hotfixes, with Security Updates being released as needed.

As end-of-support is fast approaching, please work on upgrading your organization to Skype for Business Server SE as soon as possible and decommission the older versions. Although the introduction of Skype for Business Server SE does not change allowed coexistence with Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019, a future CU or HF will require that no Skype for Business Server 2015 or 2019 servers are installed in the organization. Future Skype for Business Server SE CUs will also modernize the installation process, add new components to the compatibility matrix, and bring new features.

For those with multiple on-premises server needs, we’re pleased to add that Exchange Server Subscription Edition is also generally available today. You can read more about that release on the Exchange blog - Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) is now available.

We look forward to your feedback and thank you for your continued support of Skype for Business.

The Skype for Business Server Team