Windows Server 2008 R2 does not include quite the same level virtualization technology as the Windows Server 2016 edition. Is it still Safe to Use my Windows Server 2008 after end of life? While it is after the Windows Server 2008 End of Life date in 2015, you can still safely use it in your server environment until the extended support expires. Windows 7 will also experience a state change. As with Exchange 2010, it will leave mainstream support on the 13th of January 2015 and enter extended support phase. Windows Server 2008’s mainstream support will also end on the 13th of January 2015. As will Windows Server 2008 R2.
January 13, 2015. That was the date a year ago today when Microsoft terminated
its mainstream support for Windows Server 2008.
its mainstream support for Windows Server 2008.
Here is the link to Microsoft’s official support schedule for Windows Server 2008.
Generally, Microsoft promises 10 years of support for business and enterprise software. This support period is split up into two periods: Mainstream Support and Extended Support.
Mainstream Support— free security updates and ‘hot fixes’. During this period, which generally runs around 5 years, Microsoft also provides incident support. If you bought an older version of a product, Microsoft limits its mainstream support to 2 years. With Server 2008, Microsoft extended it Mainstream support for a couple of years, but now critical support features will be lost!
Extended Support— at this point (5 years after the release), Microsoft no longer provides a lot of critical support for the product. Extended support essential boils down to continued free security updates, but any additional support—incident support—will require a service change. For Server 2008, Microsoft promises to maintain some support for another 4 years, but will only provide very basic support services. If your server has an issue during the extended support period, you likely will have to pay out of pocket for support.
For those of you wondering if you can get away with no upgrading and continuing with Windows Server 2008, the clock is ticking! Windows will offer limited extended support to its customers through January 2020, so we would strongly caution you to consider an upgrade sooner than later.
If you have a 2008 Server and want to discuss your options, please give us a call today!
June 28, 2018
Microsoft has announced the end-of-life for two products heavily used on our campus: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008
will die on January 14, 2020. There are currently 5,400 Windows 7 users and approximately 570 Windows Server 2008 users detected on the UF Network.
will die on January 14, 2020. There are currently 5,400 Windows 7 users and approximately 570 Windows Server 2008 users detected on the UF Network.
UFIT suggests that department IT leads schedule a discussion with college or division leadership to formulate a migration plan. With approximately 18 months until the end-of-life date, there is time to develop a strategy and budget for any necessary purchases. Starting in January, 2019, the UF Information Security Office will send a monthly “warning” ticket to all users of Windows 7 and Win Server 2008. Beginning in November, 2019, the warning tickets will become a weekly reminder. Blocking of non-compliant assets will begin on February 1, 2020.
There may be some false positive results with the usage detection process, resulting in an unneeded warning ticket. Any reports of false positives received will be excluded from further notifications. UFIT understands that some departments might have a situation where an OS upgrade is not possible before January 14, 2020. The same exception process that was developed for end-of-life of Windows XP will be used. Please contact the Information Security Office (352-273-1344) to start the process.