Read time: 6 minutes
Active Exchange Server 2019 and 2016 systems receive consistent support from Microsoft developers in the form of timely cumulative updates. These updates are not arbitrary modifications; rather, they are purposeful responses to user queries and issues reported to the support team during that specific timeframe.
Each cumulative update represents a comprehensive Exchange setup that incorporates all the changes from previous Cumulative Updates (CUs). If your server has not received updates for an extended period, it is advisable to bypass installing all the previous updates and instead download and install the latest Cumulative Update exclusively. Neglecting regular Exchange updates can lead to consistency-related issues, resulting in errors such as “Exchange Database Consistency Check Failed” and others.
Caution note
Once you’ve upgraded to a newer version of Exchange, it’s important to note that reverting to a previous Cumulative Update (CU) isn’t possible through uninstallation. Uninstalling the updated version will completely remove Exchange from the server, preventing a rollback to an older CU.
The Exchange operates on a quarterly release schedule, providing Cumulative Updates (CUs) that address customer complaints while occasionally introducing new features and capabilities.
Critical product upgrades encompass those addressing security bulletins from Microsoft or incorporating alterations to time zone definitions. During Mainstream Support, substantial product upgrades are provided monthly, as required, for both the latest Cumulative Update (CU) and the preceding CU. In Extended Support, critical product updates for the most current CU are issued on a monthly basis as necessary.
In the provided table, there’s no need to download older updates. Instead, simply obtain the latest update, which will encompass all changes from previous versions. Clicking the provided link will take you to the dedicated page for the cumulative update, complete with detailed information.
On the Cumulative Update page, you’ll find comprehensive information about the latest changes. In the Release Details section, simply click the “Download” button to obtain the setup files.
Click the Download button in the new page.
The setup will take some time to download completely as it is a bigger file in multiple Gigabytes. Let it complete and after that, you can check its ISO file.
When you have the ISO file downloaded, then before installing the setup, there are some prerequisites that you must complete beforehand. Checkout the following-
There are several best practices that an Exchange Administrator may employ before installing the setup file.
An inadequate cumulative update process can potentially compromise the integrity of Exchange database files, underscoring the importance of having a robust contingency plan for handling damaged files. Kernel for Exchange Recovery offers a comprehensive solution, effectively eliminating various forms of corruption and deletions within EDB files. Furthermore, it enables the seamless restoration of recovered data into Live Exchange. This indispensable tool is a crucial asset for businesses engaging in routine updates to their on-premises Exchange infrastructure, providing a reliable safety net for their valuable data.