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Microsoft concluded its Mainstream support for Exchange 2010 in January 2015, and the countdown to the conclusion of its extended support has been rapidly ticking away. Originally slated for January 14, 2020, Microsoft decided to extend the support end date to October 13, 2020. Microsoft made this announcement with the following statement:
Microsoft Extending End of Support for Exchange Server 2010 to October 13th, 2020
Following a comprehensive investigation and thorough analysis of the deployment status of a significant number of Exchange customers, we have made the decision to extend the end of Extended Support for Exchange Server 2010. This date, originally slated for January 14th, 2020, has been rescheduled to October 13th, 2020.
Exchange administrators and experts are likely to have a clear grasp of the terms “mainstream” and “extended support” as they pertain to Microsoft products such as Exchange Server.
Mainstream support entails a continuous stream of updates, including requests for product design enhancements, feature improvements, non-security updates, ongoing support, upgrades, and version updates, among other benefits. However, once the mainstream support period concludes, these aforementioned features and services will no longer be accessible. Nevertheless, Exchange administrators will still have access to bug fixes and critical security updates.
Now, let’s explore the concept of Extended support.
Microsoft typically provides a standard 10-year period for Extended Support to its products, and it’s crucial to understand what you’ll gain or lose once this Extended Support period concludes. As of October 13, 2020, Extended Support for Exchange 2010 came to an end.
Let’s explore the current support you’re receiving for your Exchange 2010, which is scheduled to end soon.
- Updates for Time Zones
- Availability of bug fixes
- Security patches for any issues
- Technical Support for any issue
However, you can continue to operate with the existing Exchange 2010 version, albeit without access to the previously mentioned features.
How will be life after the end of extended support?
Exchange 2010 brought with it a host of groundbreaking features, revolutionizing the way we approach email and communication.
- Database Availability Groups with the remarkable capability of mailbox database replication
- Running Outlook Web App on any popular web browser
- Hybrid configuration with Exchange Online
Transitioning from Exchange 2010 presents a challenging scenario for users who wish to maintain seamless operations post the cessation of extended support. Without the vital lifelines of security updates, technical assistance, and bug fixes, Exchange 2010 becomes susceptible to an array of threats and vulnerabilities. Consequently, Microsoft strongly advocates the imperative to migrate from Exchange 2010, underscoring the urgency of this transition.
Best options before Exchange 2010 users
We, therefore, recommend that you:
- Migrate from Exchange 2010 to newer Exchange versions
- Migrate from Exchange 2010 to Office 365 (Exchange Online)
Both of these options should be carefully considered based on specific requirements.
Numerous manual migration techniques, such as cutover migration, staged migration, and hybrid migration, offer Exchange administrators the means to migration from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2016 newer versions. However, these methods are most suitable for technically proficient Exchange administrators due to their inherent complexities and challenges.
For a more secure and recommended approach that simplifies the migration process, it is advisable to employ a reliable tool such as Kernel Migrator for Exchange. This versatile tool facilitates swift and efficient migrations across various Exchange versions, eliminating the need for expert technical skills. It supports seamless migrations from older to newer Exchange versions and vice versa, devoid of any restrictive barriers.
For your second option, which involves migrating from Exchange Server 2010 to Exchange Online, we highly recommend the same professional Exchange Migration tool. This tool excels at efficiently facilitating the migration from Exchange to Office 365.
With this remarkable tool, transferring your Exchange 2010 mailbox data to any destination, be it Exchange Server or Exchange Online, becomes effortlessly achievable.
Summing Up
Without access to security updates, bug fixes, regular updates, or technical support, the Exchange 2010 version becomes obsolete once its Extended support period ends. For users of Exchange 2010, the most practical course of action is to transition to the latest Exchange versions, such as Exchange 2016 or Exchange Online. However, manual migration can pose significant challenges. Therefore, the demand of the moment is for a reliable automated solution, like Kernel Migrator for Exchange.
