Why Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 still has updates after Jan. 9, 2024

Question

As I know, The EOL of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 date is Jan. 14, 2020. The last year of ESU for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is now ended on Jan. 9, 2024.

So I want ask that why Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 still has update after Jan. 9, 2024? Does Microsoft has some support option for these opetating system?

Answer 1

There were 4 years of ESU giving that OS up to 16 years of service life with the final year being Azure only. Even so, occasionally security updates can be released for an OS after EOL retirement if the vulnerability is deemed serious enough. There might have also been some remaining patches. I would not expect there to be another year of patches if no further ESUs are offered.

An example of such an out of retirement update for Windows XP:

Microsoft sets post-retirement patching record with Windows XP fix – 5 years after support ended [computerworld.com]

Listing	Start Date	Mainstream End Date	Extended End Date
Windows Server 2008	May 6, 2008	Jan 13, 2015	Jan 14, 2020

Releases Expand table| Version | Start Date | End Date | | :--- | --- | --- | | Extended Security Update Year 4 (Azure only) | Jan 11, 2023 | Jan 9, 2024 | | Extended Security Update Year 3 | Jan 12, 2022 | Jan 10, 2023 | | Extended Security Update Year 2 | Jan 13, 2021 | Jan 11, 2022 | | Extended Security Update Year 1 | Jan 15, 2020 | Jan 12, 2021 | | Service Pack 2 | Apr 29, 2009 | Jan 14, 2020 | | Original Release | May 6, 2008 | Jul 12, 2011 |

Answer 2

Got it. But EOL of Windows 7 is Jan. 10, 2023, and after that day, none of updates is support for Windows 7, And Windows Update received no updates after that day.

But Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 still has monthly security rollup updates after 4th year ESU update (Azure only). And Microsoft still released security updates for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 monthly after Jan. 9, 2024. Windows Update can detect them and install these updates.

Now I'm concerned that why Windows 7 does not has this occasionally updates, but Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 has?

Answer 3

Hello,

I was also wondering why Windows 2008/2008 R2 still receives updates.

Doing some research, I've found out that before ESU Microsoft was selling Premium Assurance support. Some organizations bought Premium Assurance package in advance(before replacing it with ESU model).

In the Premium Assurance package, MS offers 6 years of Extended Support, so I believe Windows 2008/2008R2 will receive updates until 2026.

Best regards!

Answer 4

Another area that might back an extension up based on interpretation, is the following:

End of support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

This section states "Customers who use Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 products and services should migrate to Microsoft Azure to take advantage of three additional years ofCriticalandImportantsecurity updates at no additional charge and modernize when ready. For environments other than Azure, we recommend customers upgrade to the latest version before the deadline. For customers who cannot meet the end-of-support deadline may purchase Extended Security Updates to keep server workloads protected until they upgrade (some restrictions apply)."

Referencing the prior table as utilizing 1 Azure year, there may be 2 more years of updates to complete those 3 additional years mentioned.

Answer 5

I have seen it in third-party news. But original blog seems not found in Microsoft's sites. Maybe you are right.

But some third-party news said that the Premium Assurance support has been replaced by ESU plan. Is the Premium Assurance support still available?