Microsoft reminded IT administrators that Windows Server 2022 is fast approaching its major end date of October 2026, when it will move to extended support.
The company announced Windows Server 2022 in March 2021, and it became generally available in September 2021 as a Long-Term Service Channel (LTSC) release with 10 years of support.
“On October 13, 2026, Windows Server 2022 will reach the end of mainstream support. The October 2026 security update will be the last available mainstream support for this version,” Microsoft said in message center update on Friday.
“After that date, Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support, which includes security updates at no additional cost, and will continue to receive monthly security updates until October 14, 2031.”
It also advised administrators to upgrade systems to Windows Server 2025, which became generally available in November 2024 after the first release to Windows Insiders in January 2024.
Windows Server 2025 will reach end of support on November 13, 2029, with five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. Customers who want to test it before deployment can use the free 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025, available through Microsoft Assessment Center.
“Windows Server 2025 is now the latest version of the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) for Windows Server. To keep your environment secure and supported, plan to upgrade to Windows Server 2025 for full mainstream support,” Microsoft added. “Evaluate upgrade options and start implementation testing early to ensure a smooth transition.”
Last month, Microsoft also announced that it had extended Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until October 2027, one year after main end date from October 2026 for systems running Datacenter: Azure Edition, and quietly extended Windows 10’s free Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for users by another year.
Lately too reminds users that Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions will reach the end of updates on November 10, 2026, and recommends upgrading to Windows 11 25H2 (the company’s latest endpoint operating system).
You can find more information about Windows maintenance dates at Windows Lifecycle FAQ page or with the help of Lifecycle Policy Search Tool. So does Microsoft maintains a list of all products which will reach end of support or be retired this year.
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