When does support end for which Windows Server version? Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 have received no regular updates since October 10, 2023; the paid Extended Security Updates ended on October 13, 2026. Windows Server 2016 reaches end of support on January 12, 2027, Windows Server 2019 on January 9, 2029, Windows Server 2022 on October 14, 2031 and Windows Server 2025 on November 14, 2034. After this date, Microsoft no longer delivers regular security updates.
Quick decision
| You run | Status on November 10, 2026 | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 | without security updates | replace immediately |
| Windows Server 2016 | end of support in about two months | carry out the replacement now |
| Windows Server 2019 | security updates until January 2029 | plan the replacement for 2027 or 2028 |
| Windows Server 2022 | security updates until October 2031 | no pressure to act |
| Windows Server 2025 | security updates until November 2034 | current version |
All dates at a glance
The dates come from Microsoft’s lifecycle pages. Microsoft states them in Pacific Time.
| Version | Available since | End of mainstream support | End of extended support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2012 | October 30, 2012 | October 9, 2018 | October 10, 2023 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | November 25, 2013 | October 9, 2018 | October 10, 2023 |
| Windows Server 2016 | October 15, 2016 | January 11, 2022 | January 12, 2027 |
| Windows Server 2019 | November 13, 2018 | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 |
| Windows Server 2022 | August 18, 2021 | October 13, 2026 | October 14, 2031 |
| Windows Server 2025 | November 1, 2024 | November 13, 2029 | November 14, 2034 |
The dates apply in each case to all editions of the version, i.e. Standard, Datacenter and Essentials.
Extended Security Updates for 2012 and 2012 R2
For Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, Microsoft offered a paid program with Extended Security Updates (ESU) after the end of support. It ran for three years:
| ESU year | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | October 11, 2023 | October 8, 2024 |
| Year 2 | October 9, 2024 | October 14, 2025 |
| Year 3 | October 15, 2025 | October 13, 2026 |
Since October 13, 2026 there have been no more updates through this program either. Microsoft describes the program as a last resort for legacy systems, not as a permanent solution.
Extended Security Updates for 2016
For Windows Server 2016, Microsoft has also announced paid Extended Security Updates: if you cannot switch by January 12, 2027, you can buy them for up to three years. They contain only security updates rated “critical” and “important”, no new features and no other fixes. Microsoft calls the program a temporary bridge and recommends moving to Windows Server 2025.
What the support phases mean
Windows Server follows Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy: at least ten years of support, of which five years are mainstream support and five years extended support.
| Phase | Security updates | New features and other fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream support | Yes | Yes |
| Extended support | Yes | No |
| After the end of support | No | No |
Technically, the server keeps running after the end of support. But the security updates are missing: newly discovered vulnerabilities stay open. Microsoft points out that this can lead to security and compliance problems and put business applications at risk. Also check for which versions your software vendors certify their applications.
What is due now: Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 reaches the end of extended support on January 12, 2027. The last regular security update is released on that day. If you still run servers with 2016, you should carry out the replacement now. The paid Extended Security Updates buy time if needed but do not replace the move.
Target version. For a new server, Windows Server 2025 with support until 2034 is the obvious choice. How it weighs up against 2022 is described in
Windows Server 2025 or 2022.
Upgrade path. Microsoft supports the direct in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2016 to 2019, 2022 and 2025. To Windows Server 2025, the direct step from 2012 R2 is also possible. In a failover cluster, only one version step at a time is possible. Many businesses use the move for new hardware and a clean new installation.
Licenses. An upgrade is not included in the existing license. Microsoft points out that every new Windows Server version requires its own license. On top come CALs in the version of the new server.
Sample calculation in license quantities: a business with 18 employees replaces a server with Windows Server 2016. The new server has one processor with 12 cores and two virtual machines. Needed are 16 core licenses of Windows Server 2025 Standard and 18 user CALs 2025. If the new server has two processors of 12 cores each, it is 24 core licenses. The
license calculator works out the quantities for your hardware.
Typical cases
Server with Windows Server 2012 R2 for inventory management. The system has received no updates at all since October 2026. Stop planning the replacement and carry it out. The direct path leads to Windows Server 2025, provided the application is certified for it.
Domain controller with Windows Server 2016. Only a few weeks remain until the last regular security update on January 12, 2027. It is usual to add a new domain controller with a current version and then demote the old one. All users then need CALs of the new version, see
Which CAL version fits which server.
Windows Server 2019, everything is running. There are security updates until January 2029. Schedule the replacement for the next hardware refresh and, until then, do not buy any more 2019 CALs but CALs of the target version.
New server today. If you buy today, you also decide on the lifetime: 2025 runs for eight years, 2022 just under five, 2019 a good two. Whether an earlier version can still make sense is covered in
Buying Windows Server 2019 or 2022 today.
At VivaKeys
- Current version: Windows Server 2025 Standard, 16 Core and Windows Server 2025 Datacenter
- With support until 2031: Windows Server 2022 Standard, 16 Core
- With support until 2029: Windows Server 2019 Standard, 16 Core
Whether and which earlier versions are currently offered, for example for an existing application that requires a specific version, you can see in the
Windows Server category. Note the dates in the table above when doing so. The licensing model is explained in
Licensing Windows Server: cores, VMs, CALs, the dates of all Microsoft products in the
Microsoft end of support calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When does support for Windows Server 2019 end? Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2024. Extended support with security updates ends on January 9, 2029.
When does support for Windows Server 2022 end? Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2026. Extended support ends on October 14, 2031.
When does support for Windows Server 2025 end? Mainstream support ends on November 13, 2029, extended support on November 14, 2034.
When does support for Windows Server 2016 end? On January 12, 2027. Mainstream support has been over since January 11, 2022. After that, according to Microsoft, there are only paid Extended Security Updates for up to three years.
Can I keep using Windows Server after the end of support? Technically yes, the server keeps running. But it no longer receives regular security updates. This is not recommended for production systems.
Are there still security updates for Windows Server 2012 R2? No. Extended support ended on October 10, 2023, the third and last year of the Extended Security Updates on October 13, 2026.
Does the end of support also apply to SQL Server or Exchange on the server? No, these products have their own dates, see
SQL Server end of support.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2025
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2019
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2012-r2
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2012
- techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/plan-for-windows-server-2016-and-windows-10-2016-ltsb-end-of-support/4496136
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/extended-security-updates-overview
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-overview