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For information about Exchange 2016 system requirements and prerequisites, see the following topics: Exchange 2016 System Requirements; Exchange 2016 Prerequisites; Actual requirements will vary based on system configuration. For more detailed system requirements, please refer to the Exchange Server 2016 Technical Documentation Library.
Exchange Server 2016. Exchange server 2016 is a new set of technology brought by Microsoft to enhance the email messaging system. It is designed in a way to reduce the IT cost to manage it. Either you think to deploy it on-premises or on the cloud. A new version of exchange comes with a lot of new functionality. Step 2: Installing Pre-Requisites. Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator, and run the sconfig utility to install the latest Windows Updates. Exchange Server 2016 requires the update described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article KB3206632. Without this update, Exchange Server 2016 will not work reliably on Windows Server 2016.
This topic provides the steps for installing the necessary Windows Server operating system prerequisites for Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 Mailbox servers and Edge Transport servers, and also the Windows prerequisites for installing the Exchange Management Tools on Windows client computers.
After you've prepared your environment for Exchange Server, use the Exchange Deployment Assistant for the next steps in your actual deployment. For information on hybrid deployments, see Exchange Server Hybrid Deployments.
To actually install Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019, see Deploy new installations of Exchange.
Tip
Looking for Exchange 2013 prerequisites? See Exchange 2013 prerequisites.
Remote Registry Service must be set to Automatic and cannot be Disabled. For recommended Security Guidelines, See Security Guidelines regarding Remote Registry.
Have you heard about the Exchange Server Deployment Assistant? It's a free online tool that helps you quickly deploy Exchange Server in your organization by asking you a few questions and creating a customized deployment checklist just for you. If you want to learn more about it, go to Microsoft Exchange Server Deployment Assistant.
What do you need to know before you begin?
- Verify that your Active Directory meets the requirements for Exchange 2019: Exchange 2019 Network and directory servers.
Verify that your Active Directory meets the requirements for Exchange 2016: Exchange 2016 Network and directory servers.
The full installation option of Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 must be used for all servers running Exchange 2016 server roles or management tools.
Some prerequisites require you to reboot the server to complete installation.
Note
You can't upgrade Windows from one version to another, or from Standard to Datacenter, when Exchange is installed on the server.
- Verify the Supported operating systems for Exchange 2019 or Supported operating systems for Exchange 2016.
Note
New to Exchange 2019 is the ability to upgrade your operating system to a newer version while Exchange is installed on Windows Server 2019 or later.
Verify the computer is joined to the appropriate internal Active Directory domain.
Install the latest Windows updates on your computer.
Tip
Having problems? Ask for help in the Exchange forums. Visit the forums at: Exchange Server.
Exchange 2019 prerequisites for preparing Active Directory
You can use any member of the Active Directory domain to prepare Active Directory for Exchange 2019.
The computer requires the following software:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
Note
When installing on Windows Server Core, you must use key '/q' for install this package. Optionaly you can use '/log [PATH]' for logging.
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ Redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
The Visual C++ redistributable package is required if you're using the Exchange Setup Wizard to prepare Active Directory. If you're using unattended Setup from the command line to prepare Active Directory, this package isn't required. For more information, see Prepare Active Directory and domains.
Install the Remote Tools Administration Pack by running the following command in Windows PowerShell:
Note
Using the Exchange Setup Wizard to prepare Active Directory requires the installation of the Management Tools Exchange role.
Windows Server 2019 prerequisites for Exchange 2019
The requirements to install Exchange 2019 on Windows Server 2019 computers are described in the following sections. We recommend either of the following methods to install the Windows prerequisites for Exchange 2019:
- Use the /InstallWindowsComponents switch in unattended Setup mode.
- Select the check box in the Exchange Setup Wizard to install Windows prerequisites.
When you use one of these options, you don't need to restart the computer after the Windows components have been added.
Exchange 2019 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2019
Install the following software:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Add the required Lync Server or Skype for Business Server components:
a. Install the Server Media Foundation windows feature by executing the following command in Windows PowerShell:
b. Install Unified Communications Managed API 4.0. This package is available for download and in the UCMARedist folder on the Exchange Server media.
Note
When installing on Windows Server Core, you must use the installation package located in UCMARedist on distributed media.
If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the one of the following commands in Windows PowerShell:
Desktop Experience:
Server Core:
Exchange 2019 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2019
Install the following software:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the following command in Windows PowerShell:
Windows 10 client prerequisites for the Exchange 2019 management tools
Install the Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the following command in Windows PowerShell:
Exchange 2016 prerequisites for preparing Active Directory
You can use any member of the Active Directory domain to prepare Active Directory for Exchange 2016.
The computer requires the following software:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Install the Remote Tools Administration Pack by running the following command in Windows PowerShell:
After you've installed the Remote Tools Administration Pack you can use the computer to prepare Active Directory. For more information, see Prepare Active Directory and domains.
Windows Server 2016 prerequisites for Exchange 2016
The prerequisites that are needed to install Exchange 2016 on computers running Windows Server 2016 depends on which Exchange role you want to install. Read the section below that matches the role you want to install.
Exchange Server 2016 Requirements
Important
Windows Server 2016 requires Exchange 2016 Cumulative Update 3 or later.
Exchange 2016 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2016
Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:
Install the following software in order:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. December 13, 2016 (KB3206632) security update
Note
You can only install this update if your Windows Server 2016 version is 14393.576 or earlier (circa December, 2016). You can check your Windows Server version by running the winver command. If your Windows Server 2016 version is greater than 14393.576, you don't need this update or its replacement KB3213522, which was released one week later. Exchange 2016 Setup looks for the installation of this update, won't allow you to continue if this update is missing, and will clearly inform you if you need it.
c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
d. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Only the Mailbox role requires the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013. Other Exchange installations (management tools and Edge Transport) only require the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2012.
e. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit
Exchange 2016 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2016
Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:
Install the following software in order:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 prerequisites for Exchange 2016
The prerequisites for Exchange 2016 on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 computers depend on the Exchange role that you're installing. Read the following section that matches the role you want to install.
Exchange 2016 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2
Run the following command in Windows Powershell to install the required Windows components:
Install the following software in order:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Only the Mailbox role requires the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013. Installations of the Exchange management tools and Edge Transport servers only require the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2012.
d. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit
Exchange 2016 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2
Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:
Install the following software in order:
a. .NET Framework 4.8
b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Windows client prerequisites for the Exchange 2016 management tools
Exchange 2016 management tools on Windows 10
Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Run the following command in an elevated Windows PowerShell window (a Windows PowerShell window you open by selecting Run as administrator):
Exchange 2016 management tools on Windows 8.1
Install .NET Framework 4.8
Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012
Note
The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.
An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.
Run the following command in an elevated Windows PowerShell window (a Windows PowerShell window you open by selecting Run as administrator):
Exchange Server 2019 vs 2016
Exchange 2019 is the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server. There are a host of features upgraded from the previous Exchange Server versions. Here is a table of comparison between Exchange Server 2019 vs Exchange Server 2016:
We can help you fix it.
- ✓ Check indicators of compromise
- ✓ Monitor and apply patches
- ✓ Manage Exchange Server
| Features | Exchange 2019 | Exchange 2016 |
| Calendaring features | ||
| Do Not Forward Set a meeting invitation which can’t be forwarded without permission | ||
| Simplified Calendar Sharing Share your calendar from any Outlook version along with same permission options on all versions | ||
| Set Default End Date The users can set a default end date instead of leaving it without end date | ||
| Cancel meetings using Out of Office While setting an automatic reply, set the option to cancel meetings | ||
| Performance features | ||
| Installation on Windows Server 2019 Core Edition supported | ||
| Maximum processor count | ||
| Maximum memory | ||
| Optional SSD-based cache option Super-fast cache of key data for improving end user experience | ||
| Technical features | ||
| Serial SATA Disk supported | ||
| Windows Server versions supported | ||
| .NET versions supported | ||
| High availability DAG | ||
| Load balancing | ||
| Windows Management Framework version supported | ||
| Messaging features | ||
| Outlook Client | ||
| Mailbox server roles | ||
| All the modern browsers OWA supported Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera are supported | ||
| Outlook on the Web | ||
| Unified Messaging | ||
| Search features | ||
| Search Indexes within the database | ||
| Search functions with Bing technology | ||
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