● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Windows Server 2022 Mainstream Support Ends, Extended Support Until October 2031
Key points
- Windows Server 2022 mainstream support ended October 2026.
- Extended support for Windows Server 2022 runs until October 2031.
- Hotpatching for Datacenter: Azure Edition extends to October 2027.
- Microsoft advises upgrading to Windows Server 2025 for full support.
- Windows Server 2016 mainstream support ended January 2022.
- Windows Server 2016 extended support ends January 2027.
- Windows Server 2016 was released in October 2016.
- All editions of Windows Server 2016 will lose support in January 2027.
- Windows Server 2016 Essentials features will lose support in January 2027.
Windows Server 2022 Support Transition
Microsoft confirmed that Windows Server 2022 has reached the end of its mainstream support phase. The final mainstream support update was released in October 2026. The operating system will now receive extended support, which includes security updates at no additional cost, until October 14, 2031.
Hotpatching Extension for Azure Edition
For systems running Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition, Microsoft has extended hotpatching capabilities until October 2027. This provides an additional year of hotpatching beyond the mainstream support end date.
Upgrade Path to Windows Server 2025
Microsoft recommends that IT administrators plan their upgrade path to Windows Server 2025. Windows Server 2025, a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, became generally available in November 2024. Its mainstream support is scheduled to end in November 2029, with extended support continuing until November 14, 2034.
Additional Support Announcements
In related news, Microsoft also announced that Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will no longer receive security and non-security preview updates, advising users to upgrade to Windows 11 26H2. Additionally, the company previously warned users to upgrade unsupported Windows versions due to upcoming changes in Windows Update certificate rotation.
Updates
- Windows Server 2016 mainstream support ended January 2022.
- Windows Server 2016 extended support ends January 2027.
- Windows Server 2016 was released in October 2016.
- All editions of Windows Server 2016 will lose support in January 2027.
- Windows Server 2016 Essentials features will lose support in January 2027.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Microsoft announced that Windows Server 2016 will cease receiving security updates after January 2027, marking the end of its extended support period. This change means systems running Windows Server 2016 will no longer be protected from new security threats, prompting Microsoft to advise administrators to upgrade to Windows Server 2025.
Microsoft announced that Windows Server 2022 has transitioned from mainstream support to extended support, which will continue until October 2031. This change means that while security updates will still be provided at no additional cost, IT administrators should plan upgrades to Windows Server 2025 to maintain full mainstream support.