Windows Server End of Life

On January 10, 2023, Microsoft will end support for the 3rd Extended Security Update (ESU) for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. To ensure better performance, efficiency, and regular security updates, you are advised to upgrade any devices still running the 2008 family of products to the most current version of Windows Server.

Windows Server Lifecycle Policy

The main Windows server releases follow Microsoft's fixed lifecycle policy. This means they are supported for 10 years, including 5 years of Mainstream Support, followed by 5 years of Extended Support. Most Windows Server releases also have options to extend support for another 4 years after that if you purchase the Extended Security Update option.

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 End of Life

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 originally went end of life on the 14th of January, 2020. Microsoft offered an additional 4 years of Extended Security Updates (ESU). The third (and for non-Azure users last) of these security updates will be going end of life on the 10th of January, 2023.

In order to keep your environment up to date and secure, Microsoft recommends that you upgrade any machines still running Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2 to the latest version. You can find detailed instructions in their Windows Server Upgrades overview.

However, there is the option of a 4th ESU for 1 year, for Azure only. This update will become available on the 11th of January, 2023, and will be supported until the 9th of January, 2024. The Extended Security Updates are free if you are running 2008 or 2008 R2 in Azure virtual machines. You can find more information in Microsoft's End of Support blog.

Windows Server End-of-Life Audit

Our team has put together a Windows Server Audit report that will give you a full overview of when the Windows Server versions in your IT environment will be going end of life. It shows you when the EOL date is and how many days are remaining so you can plan your migrations in advance.

Windows Server 20H2 Support Ending

August 9, 2022, marks the end of support of the last of the modern lifecycle policy Windows Server version. These versions offered a much shorter support period since they are more closely aligned with the Windows 10 versioning.

Microsoft is ending support for the last Semi-annual release of Windows Server. These server versions were an attempt to mirror the Windows 10 versioning, with a new release twice per year. These versions received support for 18 months following their release. With the end of life of Version 20H2, there are no more supported versions of these releases.