The death of Windows 10 has been signaled for years. Come October 14, 2025, the current, most-popular version of Windows will be no more — at least when it comes to technical support, new features, and vital security patches. You know, all of the things that are somewhat vital to the operating aspect of an everyday operating system.
Despite aesthetic aversions and a lingering performance stigma, the only available lifeboat for Windows 10 users now is Windows 11. And it appears many are eager to hop aboard.
Estimates from StatCounter analysts suggests more users than ever are made the switch to Microsoft’s flagship operation system, dragging Windows 10’s near 70% global desktop market share down to ~53% over the last 12 months — with Windows 11 seemingly destined to overshadow Windows 10’s userbase for the first time since its October 2021 release over the next few months.
However, for many, the upgrade to Windows 11 is less of a smooth transition, and more of an obstacle course of hardware hurdles, software snags, and wallet woes in the wake up Trump-era tariffs.
Thankfully, Windows 10 users have a temporary «Get Out Of Jail Free» card available to them — for a price: Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
But a quiet change to Microsoft’s post-end-of-support plans has made the deal unexpectedly sweeter for some Windows 10 holdouts.
Moving the goalposts on Windows 10’s end-of-support
Originally, Microsoft insisted that both Windows 10 and its Microsoft 365 apps would lose support in lockstep on October 14, 2025. That’s no longer the case.
A recently updated Tech Community blog post indicates that Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 (including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive) will continue to receive security updates up until October 2028 (as spotted by Neowin), stealthily turning tail on a January announcement that claimed otherwise.
Does this moving of the goalposts suggest that Windows 10’s end-of-support may get the same delayed treatment? Sadly, that seems incredibly unlikely.
Instead, Microsoft’s sudden change of heart is likely to have more to do with the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — an offer of a slow and steady descent into unfamiliar waters, rather than the immediate walking of the plank proposed by the impeding October shutdown.
Microsoft’s ESU is an optional, paid service to keep Windows 10 on life support for business and home users by providing much-needed security patches after the operating system is sun-downed later this year.
Home users can secure a single year of extended security for just $30. However, businesses are expected to pay $61 per device, rising to $122 and then $244 over consecutive years.
The news of continued support for Microsoft 365 apps is likely to pair with businesses opting for the full three years of ESU support, and not a suggestion of any impeding u-turn on Windows 10’s end-of-support date.
Consider it a stay of execution, not a pardon. The noose may have loosened, but the trapdoor is still very much oiled and ready.
What’s next
Microsoft has given Windows 10 users a temporary lifeline, but whether they stay or delay, they’ll be expected to pay.
The surprise turnaround on Microsoft 365 app security updates is a welcome one, but it won’t stop the inevitability of an eventual upgrade to Windows 11 — which could mean a costly upgrade in hardware amid troubling tariff-induced upticks in hardware prices for machines that don’t measure up to Microsoft’s inflated minimum specs.
There’s always the option to leave Windows behind entirely. Perhaps you’re ready to switch to macOS, or the «End of 10» could be your invitation to explore a Linux alternative.
That said, you could also ignore the warnings entirely, white knuckle Windows 10’s end-of-support while clutching your aging hardware in a death grip, and see just how long you can outrun the operating system’s obsolescence before your device is riddled with spyware, your credit cards are cloned, your machine is slowly assimilated into a Chinese state-sponsored botnet, and your best form of protection is naught but a ramshackle homemade Faraday cage.
But that seems like a lot of strife just to avoid a UI with more rounded corners.
More from Laptop Mag
- Microsoft’s next Windows update isn’t at all what users were searching for
- It’s the «End of 10,» but that doesn’t mean you have to install Windows 11
- Microsoft CEO brags, AI model performance is «doubling every 6 months»
Rael Hornby, potentially influenced by far too many LucasArts titles at an early age, once thought he’d grow up to be a mighty pirate. However, after several interventions with close friends and family members, you’re now much more likely to see his name attached to the bylines of tech articles. While not maintaining a double life as an aspiring writer by day and indie game dev by night, you’ll find him sat in a corner somewhere muttering to himself about microtransactions or hunting down promising indie games on Twitter.
-
Home
-
News
- When Is Windows Server 2016 End of Life? How to Upgrade?
By Vera | Follow |
Last Updated
What is the end of life for Windows Server 2016? How can you upgrade to Server 2022 after Server 2016 EOL? In this post, MiniTool will tell you answers to these questions and countermeasures. Now, let’s have a look.
Windows Server 2016 End of Life
Server 2016 is the eighth release of the Microsoft Windows Server operating system and it was developed along with Windows 10. On October 1, 2014, its first preview version appeared. On Sep 26, 2016, Server 2016 was released and then broadly released for retail sale on Oct 12, 2016.
Now Windows Server 2022 has come for several years, and then you may ask: is Windows Server 2016 end of support? Generally, each operating system has its lifecycle. Speaking of Server 2016 end of life, Microsoft ended its Mainstream Support on Jan 11, 2022.
After that date, the system won’t receive some updates but security updates are still available. Besides, Server 2016 won’t receive any bug fixes or improvements.
But after the Mainstream end date, you can choose to purchase Extended Security Update (ESU) to gain Extended Support which is usually 5 years. When it comes to “Windows Server 2016 end of life extended support”, its end date refers to Jan 12, 2027. That is, the final Server 2016 EOL lasts until Jan 12, 2027.
The two dates here apply to these editions of the Server system, including Datacenter, Essentials, MultiPoint Premium, and Standard.
Upgrade to Windows Server 2022 from 2016
As this operating system ages, it is liable to virus attacks or other malicious software from cybercriminals. Eventually, manufacturers cannot patch and update the old system because of outdated architecture. So to protect your data from various attacks and prevent data loss, upgrade your Windows Server 2016 to 2022 after Server 2016 end of life.
Back up Files in Server
Before the update, we recommend you to back up your important files in Server 2016 since you may run into some update issues or errors, leading to data loss. To prevent file loss, run the backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker for data backup. Besides, if you use an ISO file to perform a clean install of the Server system, we also advise you to backup files since this installation process can erase your C drive including files saved in it.
MiniTool ShadowMaker enables you to easily backup files, folders, disks, partitions, and Windows, and its Trial Edition can work well in Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008. Now, download and install it on your Server 2016 for data backup.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition and connect a USB drive or external hard drive to the PC.
Step 2: Go to Backup > SOURCE > Folders and Files, choose files to back up, and click OK.
Step 3: In Backup, click SOURCE to choose an external drive or USB drive.
Step 4: Click Back Up Now to begin file backup.
How to Upgrade to Server 2022 After Windows Server End of Life
After the backup, now you can choose to upgrade to Windows Server 2022 and here we take an in-place upgrade as an example:
Step 1: Download Windows Server 2022 ISO and save it on the Desktop.
Step 2: Right-click on the ISO and choose Mount.
Step 3: Double-click on the setup.exe file and then the Windows Server Setup window opens. Tap on Next to continue.
Step 4: Choose an edition of Windows Server 2022.
Step 5: Finish the update by following the on-screen instructions.
Tips:
If you want to clean install Windows Server 2022 from 2016, go to see this guide — How to Install, Set up, and Configure Windows Server 2022.
Final Words
In light of Windows Server 2016 end of life (EOL), you should take action to upgrade to an up-to-date version. To keep data safe, you had better back up crucial files before the update. Besides, if the PC is not suitable for the upgrade, it is also essential to back up data to safeguard against data loss or corruption resulting from system crashes using MiniTool ShadowMaker.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 7 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition management, PC data recovery, video conversion, as well as PC backup & restore, helping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare times, she likes shopping, playing games and reading some articles.
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.
Every 2 to 3 years, Microsoft releases a major update of the Windows Server operating system. It is named “Windows Server” followed by the year it was released. At the moment, the latest Windows Server version is 2022.
Windows Server had two servicing channels: LTSC and Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). The latter was discontinued when Windows 10 and Windows 11 also shifted to the one-major-update-per-annum approach. Now, it is only the regular servicing channel and the LTSC.
Additionally, some releases also had the Extended Security Updates (ESU) package. This is more of a feature than a channel, which the customer could purchase. All Windows Server operating systems purchased with an ESU received an additional 3 years of security updates after the security support ends.
While the Extended Security Updates package for Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2 was supposed to expire on 10th October 2023, Microsoft has given the option to the consumers to extend it by another 3 years, which means that it can be extended until 13th October 2026. This has been done so that the Azure users who have still not migrated to Server 2022 have ample time to upgrade their environments. Note that this 3-year extension is annually renewable 3 times. Microsoft announced this extended support for Server 2012 and 2012 R2, where you can find out more about it.
Understanding the concept of end of life for Microsoft Windows Server
While Microsoft follows modern lifecycle policy, there are three main types of end of support/life dates:
End of active support
This means Microsoft will not provide incident support, warranty claims, feature requests, or non-security related requests after the end of mainstream support.
- No more free incident support.
- No more warranty claims.
- No more design changes and feature requests.
- No more non-security hotfixes.
Usually, Microsoft provides 5 years of mainstream support after the product is released.
End of security support
The end of extended support means the following:
- No more security updates
- No more paid support
- No more updated content (Knowledgebase etc.)
End of extended security support
The extended security support program is a paid add-on that can be bought while purchasing the Windows Server license, or even afterward. However, the last version available with Extended Security Updates was Windows Server 2012 R2, and the ESU could be bought only before October 2022. Even so, the Windows Server 2012 R2 ESU will also reach End of Life on 13th October 2026, as per Microsoft reports.
Windows Server (formerly Windows NT Server) is a group of operating systems (OS) for servers by
Microsoft. The brand name was changed to Windows Server in 2003.
| Release | Released | Active Support | Security Support | Extended Security Updates | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Windows Server 2025 (LTSC) |
6 months ago
(01 Nov 2024) |
Ends (09 Oct 2029) |
Ends (10 Oct 2034) |
Unavailable |
10.0.26100 |
|
23H2 |
1 year and 6 months ago
(24 Oct 2023) |
Ended (24 Apr 2025) |
Ends (24 Oct 2025) |
Unavailable |
10.0.25398 |
|
Windows Server 2022 (LTSC) |
3 years and 8 months ago
(18 Aug 2021) |
Ends (13 Oct 2026) |
Ends (14 Oct 2031) |
Unavailable |
10.0.20348 |
|
20H2 |
4 years and 6 months ago
(20 Oct 2020) |
Ended (09 Aug 2022) |
Ended (09 Aug 2022) |
Unavailable |
10.0.19042 |
|
Windows Server 2004 |
4 years and 11 months ago
(27 May 2020) |
Ended (14 Dec 2021) |
Ended (14 Dec 2021) |
Unavailable |
10.0.19041 |
|
Windows Server 1909 |
5 years ago
(12 Nov 2019) |
Ended (11 May 2021) |
Ended (11 May 2021) |
Unavailable |
10.0.18363 |
|
Windows Server 1903 |
5 years and 11 months ago
(21 May 2019) |
Ended (08 Dec 2020) |
Ended (08 Dec 2020) |
Unavailable |
10.0.18362 |
|
Windows Server 1809 |
6 years ago
(13 Nov 2018) |
Ended (10 Nov 2020) |
Ended (10 Nov 2020) |
Unavailable |
10.0.17763 |
|
Windows Server 2019 (LTSC) |
6 years ago
(13 Nov 2018) |
Ended (09 Jan 2024) |
Ends (09 Jan 2029) |
Unavailable |
10.0.17763 |
|
Windows Server 1803 |
7 years ago
(30 Apr 2018) |
Ended (12 Nov 2019) |
Ended (12 Nov 2019) |
Unavailable |
10.0.17134 |
|
Windows Server 1709 |
7 years ago
(17 Oct 2017) |
Ended (09 Apr 2019) |
Ended (09 Apr 2019) |
Unavailable |
10.0.16299 |
|
Windows Server 2016 (LTSC) |
8 years ago
(15 Oct 2016) |
Ended (11 Jan 2022) |
Ends (12 Jan 2027) |
Unavailable |
10.0.14393 |
|
2012-R2 (LTSC) |
11 years ago
(25 Nov 2013) |
Ended (09 Oct 2018) |
Ended (10 Oct 2023) |
Ends (13 Oct 2026) |
6.3.9600 |
|
Windows Server 2012 (LTSC) |
12 years ago
(30 Oct 2012) |
Ended (09 Oct 2018) |
Ended (10 Oct 2023) |
Ends (13 Oct 2026) |
6.2.9200 |
|
2008-R2-SP1 (LTSC) |
14 years ago
(22 Feb 2011) |
Ended (13 Jan 2015) |
Ended (14 Jan 2020) |
Ended (10 Jan 2023) |
6.1.7601 |
|
2008-SP2 (LTSC) |
16 years ago
(29 Apr 2009) |
Ended (13 Jan 2015) |
Ended (14 Jan 2020) |
Ended (10 Jan 2023) |
6.0.6003 |
|
2003-SP2 (LTSC) |
18 years ago
(13 Mar 2007) |
Ended (13 Jul 2010) |
Ended (14 Jul 2015) |
Unavailable |
5.2.3790 |
|
2003-SP1 |
20 years ago
(30 Mar 2005) |
Ended (14 Apr 2009) |
Ended (14 Apr 2009) |
Unavailable |
5.2.3790 |
|
Windows Server 2003 (LTSC) |
22 years ago
(24 Apr 2003) |
Ended (10 Apr 2007) |
Ended (10 Apr 2007) |
Unavailable |
5.2.3790 |
|
Windows Server 2000 (LTSC) |
25 years ago
(17 Feb 2000) |
Ended (30 Jun 2005) |
Ended (13 Jul 2010) |
Unavailable |
5.0.2195 |
Servicing channels
There have been historically three primary release channels available:
- Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
- Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)
- Annual Channel (AC)
The Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) was retired on August 9, 2022. There will be no future SAC releases of Windows Server.
The Windows Server Annual Channel (AC) was released after the retirement of the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). The first release of the Annual Channel (AC) was on October 24, 2023.
Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
With the Long-Term Servicing Channel, a new major version of Windows Server is released every 2-3 years. Users are entitled to 5 years of mainstream support and 5 years of extended support. The Long-Term Servicing Channel will continue to receive security and non-security updates, but it will not receive the new features and functionality.
Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)
Each release in this channel is supported for 18 months from the initial release. Most of the features introduced in the Semi-Annual Channel have been rolled up into the next Long-Term Servicing Channel release of Windows Server.
In this model, Windows Server releases were identified by the year and month of release: for example, in 2017, a release in the 9th month (September) would be identified as version 1709. Fresh releases of Windows Server in the Semi-Annual Channel occurred twice each year. The support lifecycle for each release is 18 months. Starting with fall 2020 (20H2) releases, the identification changed. Instead of a month, the release is named based on the release cycle. For example: version 20H2, for a release in the second half of the year 2020.
Annual Channel (AC)
Similar to Semi-Annual Channel (SAC), but releases occurred every 12 months.
The support lifecycle for each release is 18 months of mainstream support, plus 6 months of extended support.
Extended Security Updates (ESU)
For some releases, customers also have the option to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU).
It includes Critical and/or Important security updates for a maximum of three years after the
product’s End of Extended Support date. Customers can also get technical support for the ESU period
as long as they also have an active support plan.
More information is available on the Microsoft Windows Server website.
You should be running one of the supported release numbers listed above in the rightmost column.
You can submit an improvement to this page
on GitHub
.
This page has a corresponding Talk Page.
A JSON version of this page is available at /api/v1/products/windows-server/.
See the API Documentation for more information.
You can subscribe to the iCalendar feed at /calendar/windows-server.ics.