Windows 2008 R2 functional level drawbacks

Question

What are some issues, risks, or concerns for having Windows 2008 R2 forest/domain functional level and not upgrading to the latest?

For example Intune has issues with this forest functional level.

Are there other major concerns ?

Answer 1

Hi @Chau Le

Extended support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 ended on January 14, 2020. End of support means no security updates and features updates and you are at great risk.

End of support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/windows-server-eos-faq/end-of-support-windows-server-2008-2008r2

What is the Impact of Upgrading the Domain or Forest Functional Level?
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/ask-the-directory-services-team/what-is-the-impact-of-upgrading-the-domain-or-forest-functional/ba-p/399348

Hope this resolves your Query!!

--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer--

Answer 2

2016 is currently the highest level. There are no known issues. Read on here about features.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/active-directory-functional-levels

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 3

Hi, there is no compelling reasons to upgrade but its always recommended to upgrade the DFL and FFL to latest supported based on your Domain controller infra.

Drawbacks are generally with minimum supported DFL/FFL requirements from Microsoft when there are new ecosystem of products coming in. The minimum FFL and DFL will keep getting revised.

Answer 4

Hello but I heard Office 365 Intune does not work well with DFL/FFL 2008 ?

Answer 5

Yes so about the Intune..this is what I mean... how do I discover more issues like this... someone actually told me about that