Exchange 2013 CU15 has been released to the Microsoft download centre! Exchange 2013 has a different servicing strategy than Exchange 2007/2010 and utilises Cumulative Updates (CUs) rather than the Rollup Updates (RU/UR) which were used previously. CUs are a complete installation of Exchange 2013 and can be used to install a fresh server or to update a previously installed one. Exchange 2013 SP1 was in effect CU4, and CU15 is the eleventh post SP1 release.
Whether or not your AD Schema needs to be updated depends upon your initial Exchange 2013 version. PrepareAD should be executed prior to installing CU15. If setup detects that PrepareAD is required it will be automatically executed if the account running setup has the required permission.
Updates Of Particular Note:
The fix for the recent public folder indexing issues is included with CU15. This was an issue introduced in both Exchange 2013 CU14 and Exchange 2016 CU3. This is discussed in KB 3202691 – Public folders indexing doesn’t work correctly after you apply latest cumulative updates for Exchange Server. Note After you install this update on either version of Exchange Server, you should move the public folder mailbox to a new database to make sure that all items are indexed correctly.
CU15 supports .NET framework 4.6.2 – while this is an optional upgrade at this time, it makes sense to plan the .NET upgrade as it will become a required pre-requisite for the next CU.
On net-new installs the Desktop Experience feature is no longer required, since Windows has refactored how the components are installed in the newer versions of Windows. This allows net-new installs of Exchange 2013 CU15 and Exchange 2016 CU4 to install less components than before as only the Media Foundation feature will be installed when using the /InstallWindowsComponents setup switch. Since this is for net-new installs, upgrades to existing servers using either of the two aforementioned CUs will not change the installed OS components. If you desire, you can add Media Foundation and remove the desktop experience after installing these CUs. This is optional.
Issues resolved & Download Link:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3197044/cumulative-update-15-for-exchange-server-2013
Consideration:
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After you install this cumulative update package, you cannot uninstall the cumulative update package to revert to an earlier version of Exchange 2013. If you uninstall this cumulative update package, Exchange 2013 is removed from the server.
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Place the server into maintenance mode prior to installing, confirm the install then take the server out of maintenance mode
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Restart the server after installing the CU
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Ensure that you consult with all 3rd party vendors which exist as part of your messaging environment. This includes archive, backup, mobility and management services.
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Ensure that you do not forget to install this update on management servers, jump servers/workstations and application servers where the management tools were installed for an application. FIM and 3rd party user provisioning solutions are examples of the latter.
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Ensure that the Windows PowerShell Script Execution Policy is set to “Unrestricted” on the server being upgraded or installed. SeeKB981474.
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Disable file system antivirus prior to installing.
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Once server has been restarted, re-enable file system antivirus.
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Note that customised configuration files are overwritten on installation. Make sure you have any changes fully documented!
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While CU15 does not add any new AD Schema changes, if you are on an out-dated CU currently then deploying CU15 may contain AD Schema updates for your organisation – please test and plan accordingly! Whether or not your AD Schema needs to be updated depends upon your initial Exchange 2013 version. This will dictate if the AD Schema needs to be modified. Check the values as noted in this post. Additional RBAC definitions may also be required.
Ensure that you are fully informed about the caveats with the CU and are aware of all of the changes that it will make within your environment. Additionally you will need to test the CU your lab which is representative of your production environment.