Exchange Server 2019 CU12 Download Link and Installation Steps
How to Download and Install the Latest Exchange 2019 CU
If you are running Exchange Server 2019 in your organization, you might be wondering how to keep it up to date with the latest Cumulative Update (CU). A CU is a full installation of Exchange that includes all updates and changes from previous CUs, and sometimes also adds new features and functionality. It is very important to keep your Exchange servers up to date with the latest CUs and Security Updates (SUs) to ensure the security and performance of your environment. In this article, I will guide you through the steps to download and install the latest Exchange 2019 CU, which is CU13 as of June 2023. I will also explain the benefits of updating your Exchange servers, and some common issues that you might encounter during or after the installation process. Let's get started!
What is a Cumulative Update?
A Cumulative Update (CU) is a package that contains all the fixes and changes that have been made to Exchange Server since its initial release or a previous CU. Each CU is a full installation of Exchange that can be used to install a new server or upgrade an existing one. You don't need to install any previous CUs or RTM versions before installing the latest CU. For example, if you want to install Exchange Server 2019 CU13, you don't need to install Exchange Server 2019 RTM or any earlier CUs first.
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CUs are released on a quarterly basis, usually in March, June, September, and December. They are identified by their build number, which follows a format like 15.2.xxxx.yyy, where xxxx is the major version number and yyy is the minor version number. For example, Exchange Server 2019 CU13 has a build number of 15.2.1258.016.
CUs sometimes also include new features and functionality that are not available in previous versions of Exchange. For example, Exchange Server 2019 CU12 introduced support for Windows Server Core as an installation option for Mailbox servers.
Why Should You Update Your Exchange Servers?
Security Benefits
One of the main reasons why you should update your Exchange servers regularly is to protect them from security threats and vulnerabilities. Microsoft releases Security Updates (SUs) for Exchange Server as needed on a monthly basis, usually on the second Tuesday of each month (also known as Patch Tuesday). SUs contain fixes for security issues that have been discovered and reported by Microsoft or external sources.
SUs are cumulative for each CU version, which means that they include all the security fixes that have been released for that CU since its release. For example, if you have installed Exchange Server 2019 CU12 on your server, you only need to install the latest SU for CU12 to get all the Another example is Exchange Server 2019 CU13, which introduced support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 as an optional protocol for securing communications between Exchange servers and clients. TLS 1.3 is the latest version of the TLS protocol that provides improved security and performance over previous versions. By enabling TLS 1.3 on your Exchange servers, you can enhance the security and speed of your email communications, and comply with the latest industry standards and regulations.
By installing the latest CUs on your Exchange servers, you can ensure that you are using the most current and advanced version of Exchange Server, and that you are leveraging the new features and functionality that can benefit your organization and users.
How to download and install Cumulative Update 13 for Exchange Server 2019
Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 12 download link and installation guide
What's new in Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 13
Exchange Server 2019 CU13 release date and features
Exchange Server 2019 CU12 issues and fixes
Exchange Server 2019 latest cumulative update requirements and prerequisites
Exchange Server 2019 cumulative update installation best practices
Exchange Server 2019 CU13 vs CU12 comparison and differences
Exchange Server 2019 cumulative update list and history
Exchange Server 2019 CU13 download size and checksum
Exchange Server 2019 CU12 security updates and patches
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Exchange Server 2019 CU13 known issues and limitations
Exchange Server 2019 CU12 performance improvements and enhancements
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Exchange Server 2019 CU13 compatibility and interoperability with other products
Exchange Server 2019 CU12 troubleshooting tips and tools
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Exchange Server 2019 CU13 feedback and reviews
Exchange Server 2019 CU12 documentation and resources
How to Download the Latest Exchange 2019 CU
The first step to update your Exchange servers is to download the latest CU from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find the download link for the latest CU on the Exchange Server Updates: build numbers and release dates page on Microsoft Docs. Alternatively, you can use the following direct link to download Exchange Server 2019 CU13:
The download file is a self-extracting executable file with a name like ExchangeServer2019-x64-CU13.exe. The file size is about 6 GB, so it might take some time to download depending on your internet connection speed. You can use a download manager or a browser extension to resume the download if it is interrupted or paused.
Once you have downloaded the file, you need to extract it to a folder on your local drive or a network share. You can do this by double-clicking the file or using a command-line tool like 7-Zip. The extraction process will create a folder with a name like ExchangeServer2019-x64-CU13, which contains all the files and folders required for the installation of the CU.
You need to download and extract the CU file only once, and then use it to update all your Exchange servers in your organization. You don't need to download and extract the CU file separately for each server.
How to Install the Latest Exchange 2019 CU
Prerequisites
Before you install the latest CU on your Exchange servers, you need to make sure that you have met the following prerequisites:
You have a valid license for Exchange Server 2019.
You have backed up your Exchange servers and databases, or have a recovery plan in place in case something goes wrong during or after the installation.
You have installed the latest Windows updates and SUs on your Exchange servers.
You have installed any required prerequisites for Exchange Server 2019, such as .NET Framework, Visual C++ Redistributable, and Unified Communications Managed API.
You have disabled any antivirus or malware protection software on your Exchange servers during the installation.
You have enough disk space on your Exchange servers to accommodate the installation files and logs.
You have enough time to complete the installation process, which might take several hours depending on your server configuration and performance.
You have notified your users and stakeholders about the planned downtime of your Exchange services during the installation.
Steps
Once you have met the prerequisites, you can proceed to install the latest CU on your Exchange servers. The installation process is similar for all Exchange server roles, such as Mailbox, Edge Transport, and Unified Messaging. However, there are some differences and considerations depending on your server role and topology. For example, if you have a Database Availability Group (DAG) in your organization, you need to follow some additional steps to update your DAG members. For more information, see on Microsoft Docs.
Here are the general steps to install the latest CU on your Exchange servers:
Log on to your Exchange server as a local administrator or a domain user who is a member of the local Administrators group.
Open a command prompt as an administrator.
Navigate to the folder where you have extracted the CU files.
Run the following command to start the setup wizard: Setup.exe /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms
On the Check for Updates page, choose whether you want to connect to the internet and download any available updates for the CU. If you choose not to, you can still install the CU without any updates.
On the Upgrade page, review the list of Exchange servers that will be updated, and click Upgrade.
The setup wizard will perform several checks and tasks to prepare your server for the installation. This might take some time depending on your server configuration and performance.
Once the setup wizard has completed the preparation phase, it will start installing the CU files and updating your Exchange server. This might also take some time depending on your server configuration and performance.
When the installation is complete, click Finish.
Restart your Exchange server to apply the changes.
You need to repeat these steps for each Exchange server in your organization that you want to update. You can also use an unattended mode or a script to automate the installation process for multiple servers. For more information, see on Microsoft Docs.
How to Verify the Installation of the Latest Exchange 2019 CU
After you have installed the latest CU on your Exchange servers, you need to verify that the installation was successful and that your servers are functioning properly. Here are some ways to verify the installation of the latest CU:
Check the buil