Longer Life for Windows and SQL Server Versions

• An Extended Security Update (ESU) program expansion could keep old Windows Server and SQL Server versions working longer than originally planned.

ESUs are subscriptions that provide security updates and bulletins for versions of Windows Server and SQL Server after their Extended support life-cycle phase has ended. The accompanying timeline shows life cycles of versions affected by July 2021 changes, which include extensions for Azure customers and inclusion of 2012 versions. ESUs could allow customers to keep these versions in service longer by fixing critical security vulnerabilities after other support ends, but Microsoft does not promise to fix all newly discovered vulnerabilities. (ESUs are also available for Windows 7, but no changes were announced.)

Expanded Time for Azure, 2012 Versions Eligible

Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 workloads run on Azure will receive an additional year of free ESU coverage beyond the originally planned termination date of Jan. 10, 2023. For workloads outside Azure, ESU coverage ends Jan. 10, 2023, as planned.