And when we talk about security updates for Windows Server 2016, are they distributed trough the same channels as the updates for other systems under mainstream support and with the same frequency in azure?

Question

Windows Server 2016 out of mainstream support - what does that mean ?

But does this mean that security updates both minor and major is still released via Windows updates services ?
Meaning it is only feature update that one will not get ?

And does the answer on the above count for servers on Azure Stack and on-prem ?

And when we talk about security updates for Windows Server 2016, are they distributed trough the same channels as the updates for other systems under mainstream support and with the same frequency ?

Answer 1

Hello @Elisha George

Windows Server 2016 goes out of Mainstream Support in Jan 11, 2022, but there is Extended support until Jan 12, 2027. As referenced here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016

Meaning that mostly it will be affected by no delivery of new features or requests for cange in product. Updates such as Critical, Security and Non-Security, and Self-Help and Paid support will still be present.
Read more details here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/policies/fixed

Hope this helps with your query,

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Answer 2

Hello @Elisha George ,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A platform. Happy to answer your question. Please find answers in-line to the following questions

Windows Server 2016 out of mainstream support - what does that mean ?
Mainstream support includes functional, performance, scalability and security updates. Mainstream Support is usually in effect for the first 5 years or so of a product's life. During Mainstream Support, Microsoft provides new releases, updates, services packs, builds, fixes, and patches in order to enhance a product's security and reliability, close vulnerabilities, and fix problems.
Yes, windows server 2016 is out of mainstream support. However there is Extended support until Jan 12, 2027

But does this mean that security updates both minor and major is still released via Windows updates services ?
Extended support includes only security updates at no additional cost and ability to request non-security fixes for select products, for eligible Unified Support customers. For more details refer to Fixed Lifecycle Policy

Meaning it is only feature update that one will not get ?
Yes as answered in the first question

And does the answer on the above count for servers on Azure Stack and on-prem?
Yes applies to all the machines that are running on windows server 2016

And when we talk about security updates for Windows Server 2016, are they distributed through the same channels as the updates for other systems under mainstream support and with the same frequency ?
Yes, similar way as other mainstream support. For the latest information on security updates, see the Security Update Guide. Older products may not meet today's more demanding security requirements. Microsoft may be unable to provide security updates for older products.

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