How do I update EOS Windows Server 2012?

Question

We have several 2012 servers still online. The majority of them successfully installed the Security and Quality rollup for both September 2023 and October 2023.

I understand that Windows Server 2012 service ended on 2023.10.10

Are patch files(.msi) uploaded to the Windows Catalog for free?

Can I continue to use it until October 13, 2026? (for free)

Answer 1

Hello

Yes, you’re correct that the support for Windows Server 2012 ended on October 10, 2023. After this date, these products will no longer receive free security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.

However, Microsoft has announced that administrators will receive an extra three years of Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows Server 2012. Customers still on Windows Server 2012 can opt for ESUs until October 13, 2026, providing businesses with an extended timeframe to secure their systems.

Please note that these ESUs are not available for free. They need to be purchased for on-premises deployments. If you’ve already moved to Azure to protect your Windows Server 2012 and R2 workloads, you might be enjoying free Extended Security Updates. If your organization is unable to migrate, you can purchase and seamlessly deploy Windows Server 2012 Extended Security Updates enabled by Azure Arc on premises and in hosted environments without keys, directly from the Azure portal.

For the patch files, you may want to check the Windows Update Catalog for more information.

Remember, it’s always recommended to upgrade to the latest version of Windows Server (such as Windows Server 2022) for the most up-to-date features and security updates.