As with all Microsoft Server operating systems there is an end of life date for Microsoft support including security updates.
In the past a Microsoft Server operating system had a life of around 10 years. It is no different for Server 2012 R2. So when is the exact date for Server 2012 / 2012 R2 end of life?
10th October 2023
Although October may seem like plenty of time to upgrade it is certainly worth creating a plan and budget for the upgrade in very good time.
Why do I need to upgrade?
If your server is running Server 2012 (find out how to know below) it will continue to work after this date although it will cease to receive security updates and other products will also likely cease to provide support for running on 2012 so it is very much a priority to upgrade to ensure your system stays secure and supported.
The EOL date will be well known and therefore criminals will be targeting any vulnerabilities found in the 2012 operating system as it will likely be the most popular unpatched system at the time. If you remain on the 2012 operating system you can expect not to be compliant with various standards including any cyber insurance so not only could you be in a vulnerable position but you could be at risk of not being covered for any cyber attacks.
What next?
The best course of action is to have a plan based on what you are running now which can determine if your best course of action is an upgrade or whether you consider moving services to the cloud.
We are experienced in both and sometimes it is a preference as some businesses prefer to keep their systems in house and some like the feeling that the hardware is maintained by a data center. Either way we can make recommendations for you and then implement what you feel is best for your business.
To find out the version of your Windows server
- Logon to your Windows Server
- Press the Windows key + R or open up a command prompt
- Type winver and press Enter
- The about Windows popup will show your system version similar to the screenshot below
