#extended-security-updates

#extended-security-updates

Microsoft is warning organizations about the impending end of support for several Windows products from 2016. These include Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB, and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016. According to Microsoft, these products are approaching the final stage of their lifecycle, which has direct consequences for organizations that still depend on this software. The lifecycle documentation on Microsoft Learn shows that Windows Server 2016 has not received regular support since January 2022 and is now fully in the extended support phase.

January 13 marked another milestone for legacy systems, as support for the software - codenamed Longhorn Server - expired for customers that bought Microsoft Premium Assurance (PA). Extended support ended for Windows Server 2008 on January 14, 2020. It was possible to keep the lights on until January 10, 2023, via Extended Security Updates. A fourth year came courtesy of Azure, which took the code to January 9, 2024, but that was it for anyone without PA.

Windows 10's free support has shuffled off this mortal coil for most customers - but that's merely the headline act in Microsoft's October support massacre. Older versions of Office and Windows Server have also been shown the door. Support for Office 2019 (including Office 2016) and Exchange Server 2019 flatlined on October 14. While Microsoft will sell orphaned Windows 10 users an extra year or so of life support via its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program,