Annual Channel Improves Containers, Adds New Support Cadence

A new Annual Channel servicing option for Windows Server will benefit customers using Windows Server containers. Most others should still rely on the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC).

Microsoft’s server OS offerings are supported on three different cadences that reflect their intended use cases. Although the Windows Server LTSC supports the broadest range of scenarios and offers the most stability, the Windows Server Annual Channel for Containers and Azure Stack HCI have deeper support for specific scenarios and receive new capabilities before LTSC versions. (The former Semi-Annual Channel [SAC] is no longer offered, and all SAC versions have left support.)

Long-Term Servicing Channel

LTSC versions of Windows Server can be used for any Windows Server role, including domain controllers, file servers, and Hyper-V VM hosts. Container base OS images of Windows Server are also serviced on the LTSC and are updated regularly as cumulative updates are released.

However, new LTSC versions are released only every two to three years, incurring a longer period before new features become available. Windows Server 2022, the current LTSC version of Windows Server, was released in Aug. 2021. The next version of Windows Server, currently referred to as vNext, is expected in the latter half of 2024.