Updated: July 15, 2020 (October 24, 2016)

Support Policy Summary

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

A new Modern support policy has been added to Microsoft’s support life cycle. The Modern support policy applies to some products that are released and serviced on Microsoft’s new continuous release model. Although it does not change the status of support for any current on-premises products, it likely will be applied to future products, editions, and versions if they follow the continuous release model.

On-Premises Policy
Level of support	Mainstream: Receive free security and nonsecurity updates, request product design and features, purchase paid support contracts.
	Extended: Receive free security updates, purchase paid support contracts that include nonsecurity updates.
Duration of support	Mainstream: Five years (from date of general availability).
	Extended: Five years (from end of Mainstream support).
Applies to	Most perpetually licensed products, including Office Professional Plus, SQL Server, Visual Studio, Windows client and server (including Windows

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