Another year, another Microsoft “End of Life” reminder to bring to your attention.

This time, it concerns digital downloads of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

If you’re a user, you’re hopefully already aware of the looming deadlines. However, should you somehow have missed the notifications that Microsoft has been sending out, here’s what you need to know:

End of Life (EOL) Windows Server 2012 R2:

The End-of-Life deadline for Windows Server 2012 R2 is October 10, 2023. Beyond that date, Microsoft will no longer provide service or regular security updates for this operating system.

Why is this important?

During the first five years of a product release, Microsoft automatically takes care of things like:

  • Security Updates
  • Non-security updates
  • Requests to change product design and features
  • Phone and online Support through Microsoft (dependent on Service Plan)
  • Paid-support from Microsoft
  • Access to product-specific information through Microsoft Online Knowledge Base, product information, support webcasts, and
  • Hardware warranty claims

Once this Mainstream Support ends and Microsoft discontinuous its automatic security and ongoing support, missing patches and updates will expose network vulnerabilities that can jeopardize your business operations. To minimize this risk, you can, of course, make plans to upgrade to Windows Server 2019 or Server 2022 before the October deadline. However, as a second option, you can take advantage of phase 2 of the life cycle support with “MS Extended Support”, which includes the following:

  • Security Updates
  • Non-security updates
  • Paid-Support from Microsoft
  • Access to product-specific information through the online Microsoft Knowledge Base, product information, and support webcasts

Microsoft does charge for these services, but if you need the extra time to transition away from Server 2012 R2, you may consider that to be money well spent.

Extended Support* lasts three years. ES amounts to 75 percent of License Cost for year one (October 11, 2023, to October 8, 2024), 100 percent for year 2 (October 9, 2024, to October 14, 2025, and 125 percent for year three (ends on October 13, 2026). Once the extended support period ends, all support, security, and non-security cease no matter how much you offer to pay.

Windows 10 EOL

Business owners worldwide have widely adopted Windows 10, one of Microsoft’s most popular operating systems. However, on October 14th, 2025, Microsoft will cease offering digital downloads for both Windows 10 Home and Pro. Unfortunately, this discontinuation of Windows 10 can significantly impact your business operations as older peripherals or software may not be compatible with the new operating system, Windows 11 or 12, and may eventually need to be replaced or upgraded.

Although Windows 10 security and non-security updates and support will continue to be released until October 14, 2025 (so you should be fine until then), it is important to begin creating a timeline and allocating resources to ensure a smooth transition.

You might be wondering just about now, why we are bringing this to your attention today if none of these changes are going to have an effect on your business in the immediate future?

October 2023, 2025, and 2026 – all might still seem like a lifetime away. We understand the feeling. However, we know from experience that researching and implementing alternate solutions takes time. Right now is the perfect time to start assessing your current IT infrastructure, evaluate the potential impact of these changes, and build a budget to cover the costs. After all, “Before anything else, Preparation is the key to Success” (Alexander Graham Bell)

At Meeting Tree Computer, we work with you to ensure you understand Microsoft Lifecycle Support’s intricacies. We can help any size business get upgraded while finding innovative options to reduce the capital costs of doing so. To find out more and learn more about us, reach out and call us at (845) 237-2117.

* Note: You, or your IT support partner, must contact Microsoft to opt-in for the 3-year security extension. Opt-ins are not automatic.