The next major version of Exchange Server is expected to arrive in 2015, but Microsoft is delivering new features to Exchange Online (not shown in diagram) first. New features and enhancements in Exchange 2013 include architecture and administration simplifications (such as a reduction in server roles and integrated on-premises and Exchange Online management); more ways to handle messaging policies (such as retention and searching); built-in antimalware tools; and improvements to public folder infrastructure. Exchange 2013 is compatible with Exchange 2007 and later and Outlook 2007 and later.

Exchange 2013 SP1 became generally available in Feb. 2014, and it delivers support for Windows Server 2012 R2, the return of the Edge Transport Server role, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) enhancements, and other features and fixes. There will probably be another Exchange 2013 service pack around the time the next major version of Exchange is released to provide coexistence support and possibly compatibility with the next major version of Windows Server.

Timeline shows the remaining supported lives of Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, and their planned subscription-only replacement, Exchange Server SE.