Microsoft announced that Windows Server 2022 will reach the mainstream end date in October 2026, but will switch to extended support and continue receiving security updates for five more years.
Windows Server 2022 was first announced in March 2021 and became generally available in September 2021 as the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, with 10 years of support.
“On October 13, 2026, Windows Server 2022 will reach end of mainstream support. The October 2026 security update will be the last mainstream support update available for this version,” Microsoft said in a message center update on Thursday.
“After this 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 through October 14, 2031.”
Customers are now advised to upgrade to Windows Server 2025 (the latest version of Microsoft’s server operating system), which became generally available in November 2024 after first rolling out to Windows Insiders in January 2024.
Windows Server 2025 will reach the end of support on November 13, 2029, with extended support ending five years later, on November 14, 2034. Those who want to test Windows Server 2025 before deployment can use the free 180-day trial available through the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
“Windows Server 2025 is now the latest Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release for Windows Server. To help keep your environment protected and supported, plan to upgrade to Windows Server 2025 for full mainstream support,” Microsoft noted.”Evaluate upgrade options and begin deployment testing early to help ensure a smooth transition.”
You can find more information about Windows servicing dates using the Lifecycle Policy search tool or on the Windows Lifecycle FAQ page. Microsoft has also shared a list of products that will reach the end of support or will be retired in 2025.
Last month, Microsoft also announced that it has extended Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until October 2027, one year after its mainstream end date of October 2026, for systems running the Datacenter: Azure Edition, and quietly extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumers by an additional year.
More recently, on Wednesday, Microsoft reminded customers that Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 24H2 will stop receiving updates 3 months after reaching end of support.
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