Updated: February 23, 2022 (October 5, 2020)

Skype for Business Server Timeline

Jim leads the Directions on Microsoft editorial team and has been writing about technology since the early 1990s. Most recently... more

Skype for Business Server 2019, released in Oct. 2018, is the most recent release of Microsoft’s on-premises unified communications platform. Although Mainstream support for Skype for Business Server 2019 will last just over five years, ending in Jan. 2024, Extended support will be available for only two years instead of the five years of Extended support offered for previous versions. Therefore, the 2019 version ends Extended support at the same time as the 2015 version. Consequently, migrating from 2015 to 2019 for a longer support life cycle is unnecessary. The 2019 versions of other Office Server applications, such as Exchange Server 2019, have a similarly reduced Extended support period.

Skype for Business Server 2015 was released in July 2015. Currently in its Mainstream support phase, Skype for Business Server 2015 will enter Extended support in Oct. 2020.

Lync Server was the previous branding of Skype for Business. Lync Server 2010 Mainstream support ended in Apr. 2016, with Extended support continuing until Apr. 2021. Lync Server 2013 left its Mainstream support phase in Apr. 2018 and will remain in Extended support until Apr. 2023.

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