SharePoint Server SE Adopts New Release Schedule

• SharePoint Server SE customers will have to test and accept packages of new features at least twice a year to retain support.
• Customers will be able to influence timing of new feature rollouts, but not block them entirely.

SharePoint Server SE (Subscription Edition) is the latest version of the on-premises server product and is offered solely as an evergreen “versionless” product-as-a-service. It has no end-of-support date, but customers must stay current with updates and maintain Software Assurance (SA) on the software or revert to SharePoint Server 2019 if SA is dropped.

Microsoft has announced a new feature update schedule for SharePoint Server SE. Feature updates will arrive at least semi-annually. Customers will be able to choose from two release rings to limit the frequency of new features but cannot disable updates entirely. The first feature update, 22H2, arrived in Sept. 2022 with options to manage the updating process and a new interface to security software.