Windows Server 2012 end of support
A very important end of support date is October 10, 2023. Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support or online technical content updates.
High risk
Because Windows Server is the operating system on which you run your organization, the stakes are even higher compared to an out of support Exchange Server.
Extended Security Updates
Like previously mentioned for Exchange, options for Windows Server are upgrading to Windows Server 2022 or migrating to Azure. But for Windows Server, there is a third option: buying Extended Security Updates (ESU). ESU are available for all Windows Server 2012 and 2012R2 licences covered with active Software Assurance (SA). Off course, with SA you do have the right to deploy the latest version of Windows Server. But maybe you run a legacy application and with that cannot, or may not, upgrade the operating system. For those situations, ESU might be a viable alternative.
ESU licences are available in the Enterprise Agreement (with all Enrolments, including Education). Prices are 75% of the licence price in year 1, 100% in year 2 and 125% in year 3. Customers who want to start buying ESU in year 2, still have to buy ESU for year 1 (prerequisite).
When running Windows Server 2012/2012R2 workloads on Azure, these Extended Security Updates are free of charge.
Want to make migration plans? Contact your local Econocom account team to discuss.