Microsoft plans to update Exchange Server 2007 by releasing a new service pack late next year, allowing the mail server to run on Windows Server 2008 R2. The company is also increasing support options for Exchange Server 2003 SP2 on Windows Server 2008 R2.

“Exchange 2003 SP2 will now be supported against writeable Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory servers,” the team notes. ”Additionally, with the general availability of Exchange Server 2010, and [for] those looking to standardize on Windows Server 2008 R2, we have enhanced the supportability of forest and domain functional levels up to Windows Server 2008 R2. This change is effective immediately on Exchange 2003 SP2.”

Microsoft issued an “Exchange Server Supportability Matrix” document in August outlining operating system support for all of its mail server products. However, that  document has not yet been updated to reflect the changes promised above. Microsoft plans to include additional support details for Exchange Server 2010 in the next version of the document.