End of support for Skype for Business Server 2015/2019

Introduction

As of yesterday (October 14, 2025), Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Server 2019 are no longer supported by Microsoft. This also includes Skype for Business 2016 and Skype for Business 2019 clients. Stability / performance bug fixes and security updates will no longer be deployed. Your servers will continue to work, but without official support, you are exposing yourself to vulnerabilities and technical issues.

What options are available to stay secure ?

Microsoft recommends two approaches :

Migrate to Microsoft Teams

This is the simplest and most cost-effective solution. By switching to Teams, you benefit from :

A modern cloud platform
Advanced features like Copilot and AI-generated meeting summaries
A secure and scalable environment

Upgrade to Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE)

Available since July 2025, this edition allows businesses that wish to remain on-premises to continue using Skype for Business with a subscription model.

If you are currently using Skype for Business Server 2019, you can upgrade in-place to SE.
If you are currently using Skype for Business Server 2015, it is recommended that you first migrate to 2019, then to SE.

Conclusion

The end of support for Skype for Business marks an important step in the transition to modern solutions. Whether you choose Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business SE, the goal is clear : to ensure the security, performance, and continuity of your communications. The future is cloud-based and AI-powered — and it’s time to make the leap.