Microsoft will not support Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 after January 14, 2020.

Microsoft has published a letter informing corporate customers about the imminent discontinuation of support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

After January 14, 2020, patches and security updates will no longer be issued for the above mentioned operating systems, which can significantly increase the risks associated with the protection and reliability of corporate IT infrastructures. Microsoft will also cut non-security updates, free support options, and online technical content updates. To ensure stable and uninterrupted functioning of server platforms, the company recommends its customers to update the OS to the latest versions.

Specifically for organizations that still use Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in their IT infrastructure, Microsoft will be offering paid updates under the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for three years. As an alternative, the company suggests migrating customers’ legacy systems to the Azure cloud environment, in which the ESU service will be provided at no extra cost.

At the same time as Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft will stop supporting Hyper-V Server 2008, Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 and Windows Storage Server 2008, which is available on the market in various editions and modifications.

More information about migration to new server OSs can be found at microsoft.com/cloud-platform/windows-server-2008.

The following Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 products are approaching End of Support:

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