Microsoft Windows Server 2016 was released in September 2016. So, when does it become end-of-life? There is a lot of false information about the EOL status of Windows Server 2016. We review the EOL status and what it means for the Windows Server 2016 administrator.
Windows Server 2016 follows the Fixed Lifecycle Licensing Policy. So, support for Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is slit into 2 halves. Each Fixed Lifecyle product of Microsoft comes with 2 different support:
- Mainstream support
- Extended support
Mainstream support is valid for 5 years from the release data. And, Extended support is valid for the successive 5 years once the mainstream support ends.
With a release data of September 2016, we now understand that the mainstream support for Windows Server 2016 is valid for the first 5 years. And, the successive 5 years of support will be called the Extended Support.
There is a difference in the scope of Mainstream support and Extended Support. So, we need to understand those differences to appreciate the Fixed Lifecycle Plan.
It may be pertinent to understand that Extended Support of a Fixed Lifecycle product is different that the ESU or Extended Security Updates programs.
So, for Windows Server 2016, the mainstream support ended on 11 January, 2022. The Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 will end on 12 January, 2027.
The question of the ESU program for Windows Server 2016 will be relevant after January 2027. So, there is no need to commit into buying any ESU for Windows Server 2016 until January 2027.
What does the Mainstream support mean?
The mainstream support for Windows Server 2016 ended in January 2022.
Mainstream Support is the first phase of the product lifecycle. At the supported service pack level, Mainstream Support for Windows Server 2016 includes:
- Incident support (no-charge incident support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis, support for warranty claims)
- Security update support
- The ability to request non-security updates
For Windows Server 2016, the mainstream support ended in January 2022. So, we can conclude that product support for Windows Server 2016 in terms of feature updates and non-security updates will no longer be offered.
Thankfully, access to security updates for Windows Server 2016 is covered under the ‘Extended Support’.
What does Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 mean?
Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 begins after the mainstream support for the server ended in January 2022. Until 12 January 2027, Windows Server 2016 is eligible for Extended Support.
The Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 include the following:
- Security Updates to patch security vulnerabilities reported in Microsoft security bulletins.
Product support for Windows Server 2016 is not included in the Extended Support.
You can always buy a Service Pack for Windows Server 2016 to enjoy support for the product. But, for any product issues requiring Microsoft support, you will need to pay to get that support separately.
Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 started in January 2022 and will end in January 2027.
Security coverage for Windows Server 2016
So, the coverage for providing security updates for Windows Server 2016 includes a 10 year period that is comprised of 5 years of Mainstream support and 5 years of Extended support.
The ‘Patch Tuesday’ program for Windows Server 2016 will offer security updates for the server until January 2027. Post January 2027, you will need to enroll in the paid subscription program of the ESU program for Windows Server 2016.
Rajesh Dhawan is a technology professional who loves to write about Cyber-security events and stories, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.