Microsoft is informing all Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 users that their extended support will end on October 10, so they should ensure they are prepared for this transition.
See also: Microsoft: Windows Server Update to fix VMs
To give customers greater freedom to migrate to modern versions of Windows Server, Microsoft has extended the end of extended support for Windows Server 2012 for an additional five years beyond the original end of mainstream support in October 2018.
After extended support ends, Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance or bug fixes for newly identified issues that may disrupt servers running these two operating system versions.
Microsoft said Tuesday that after that date, products will no longer have access to security and non-security updates , bug fixes, technical support or online content modifications.
Today's reminder is the third advisory issued since July 2021 that this version of Windows will be retired by the end of the year.
If you want to ensure that your Windows Server 2012 servers stay up to date with essential fixes and security updates, Microsoft recommends upgrading these systems to the latest Windows Server 2022 model or investing in Extended Security Updates (ESU).
See also: Windows Server updates: They cause restarts and freezes in domain controllers
ESU guarantees up to three years of security updates and will be renewed annually until the deadline of October 13, 2026. An alternative option is to migrate their databases and applications to Azure Virtual Machines. As an added bonus, they will receive free ESU for three years after the end of support.
Azure VMs provide businesses with an easy way to create virtual machines in the cloud quickly and easily, without the need for additional hardware or maintenance costs. They offer high reliability with built-in scalability, so you don't have to worry about server . Plus, they're highly customizable, so you can tailor them exactly to your specific business needs.
Azure Arc enables on-premises servers to receive regular and automated ESU updates, as well as Azure security and governance features. That's why Microsoft recommends this solution to its customers.
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Microsoft Windows Server 2008/R2 Extended Security Updates (ESU) will reach end of life on January 10, 2023. To learn more about Extended Security Updates, visit our helpful FAQ page!
