Microsoft has announced that the Windows Server 2019 Essentials SKU from the Server family will be the last such edition to cater to small businesses of 25 users and under, or 50 devices. The company said that it had "collaborated with the MVP community and other influencers" and came to the decision to release one final version of on-premises server for small businesses, after which the company advises small businesses to make use of Microsoft 365, which offers Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security.
Microsoft further points out that customers that are currently using Windows Server 2016 Essentials will be supported according to Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) servicing timeline, this would also apply to those that update to the 2019 edition.
Windows Server 2019 Essentials will offer the same features as that from the 2016 edition, but also includes "new hardware support and features and improvements like Windows Server 2019 Standard, including Storage Migration Services, System Insights, and many more." Microsoft also states that the Essentials Experience role has been dropped from the update, the company says that the Windows Admin Center replaces it.
Windows Server 2019 Essentials will be released alongside the other Windows Server 2019 editions "later this year"; right now Server 2019 is still in preview, with the latest 17744 build being made available just over a week ago with Hyper-V improvements the highlight of that release.
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