Windows Server 2012 R2 |Will there be a Windows Server 2022?
The end-of-life date for Windows Server 2012 R2 is rapidly approaching. Its security and compliance will be seriously compromised after this date because it will no longer get crucial security upgrades or regular patches.
For the Microsoft Windows server 2012 R2, Microsoft suggests using Windows Server 2019, which is the most recent upgradeable version. As soon as EOS is reached, Microsoft will discontinue offering technical assistance and bug patches for newly identified problems that could affect the reliability or usability of running multiple the two products.
Redmond also prompted administrators to upgrade as quickly as possible to avoid security and compliance holes in July 2021 by reminding admins about Windows Server 2012 & SQL Server 2012 would approach the end of their extended support periods in two years. The text that follows talks about mainstream & extended support, the end of support, what to do if you must continue utilizing Window Server 2012 R2 at its end of life, and other topics.
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Windows Server 2012 R2 End Of Life – Everything You Need To Know
Support for older versions of Windows Server and security updates provided when that version was supported will stop as Microsoft delivers more innovations to Windows Server. On November 25, 2013, Microsoft released Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows Server 2012 R2’s general end-of-life date was October 9, 2018. As of October 10, 2023, Server 2012 R2/2012 will continue to be supported by Microsoft. Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 will no longer receive important security updates or routine patches after this date.
Datacenter, Essentials, Embedded Systems, Foundation, and Standard are among the editions of Server 2012 R2 that are affected by its end of life. Additionally, this holds for SQL Server 2012 & SQL Server 2012 R2, whose support expired on July 12, 2022.
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End of Support: What Does It Mean?
Microsoft provides Mainstream Support and Extended Support for 5 years in Windows Server 2012 & 2012 R2 by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. Even during the Mainstream Support term, a product receives all updates and support; however, during Extended Support time, non-security updates are no longer provided. The final stage, known as End of Support, is reached by a product once the Extended Support time has ended.
Users can choose to enroll in the premium Extended Security Update plan if they want to continue receiving updates and assistance for an additional three years after the Extended Support period has finished. However, after the product approaches the End of Support, there won’t be any patches and security updates for individuals who aren’t enrolled in the program.
1. Extended Support
During the latter five years of a product’s lifecycle, there is a phase called Extended Support. A product only gets security updates during this time; users are no longer able to ask for fresh design tweaks or non-security fixes.
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2. ESU [Extended Security Update]
ESU is essentially a premium subscription that guarantees users will continue to get important security upgrades for up to three years after Extended Support has ended. You will get these updates at no cost if you decide to switch to Azure.
However, if you’re using Windows Server locally, you’ll need to pay a yearly fee for the Extended Security Updates. According to the table below, this will cost a particular portion of what the most recent Windows Server version costs.
| Year | Start Date | End Date | Price |
| Extended Security Update Year 1 | Oct 11, 2023 | Oct 8, 2024 | 75% of License Cost |
| Extended Security Update Year 2 | Oct 9, 2024 | Oct 14, 2025 | 100% of License Cost |
| Extended Security Update Year 3 | Oct 15, 2025 | Oct 13, 2026 | 125% of License Cost |
The benefit of this strategy is that you won’t have to concern yourself with your server’s security throughout the transition, and so as you upgrade your server, you won’t have to continue paying for it the following year. The disadvantage, though, is that when you decide to enroll in this plan after the fact, you will also be responsible for paying for the updates from the prior years.
3. Mainstream Support
In a product’s life cycle, the first five years are referred to as the mainstream support phase. These include service packs, security fixes, and feature upgrades for the product. Users can also ask for product feature modifications, incident help, or non-security updates.
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4. End Of Support
As previously mentioned, Microsoft stops offering the majority of updates & support for a product once it enters the End of Life phase, a period creating a security concern. Microsoft provides one more alternative for users who are still in the upgrade process or who must continue using outdated products: the Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
Alternatives For Windows Server 2012 R2 End Of Life
Microsoft advises administrators who wish to maintain the functionality of their servers while also receiving bug fixes & security upgrades to update to Windows Servers & SQL Server 2019. Dealing with outdated components can be done in one of three ways.
1. Modernize The Application Architecture Completely To Upgrade
Consider old components as a chance to use cloud services to completely upgrade servers, applications, and workloads. You’ll cut your IT expenses by moving to the cloud and gain from your applications’ and procedures’ improved efficiency.
2. Technology Doesn’t Change With Upgrades
Make the necessary improvements to the current on-premises IT infrastructure with investment.
3. Upgrade When Technology Advances
Take advantage of the opportunity presented by out-of-date components by moving your servers, applications, & workflows to the cloud without materially altering your applications or underlying infrastructure.
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Wrap Up!
Therefore, we have finished discussing Windows Server 2012 R2 End of Life. You have approximately 15 months to update your server 2012 R2 if it is still operating Windows Server 2012 R2/2012.
It’s advised to begin considering this as soon as feasible. It could be necessary to update your complete IT infrastructure to the most recent version.
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