Is Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard supported?
You may have heard us mention quite a while back in 2018 that server 2012 R2’s end-of-life road map was beginning and Microsoft were removing their mainstream support for this server. So why are we reminding you of this now, you may ask?! That is because the extended support phase that the server entered is coming to an end in October 2023, which will creep up on us much quicker than we think. Show
In essence, any business still using the Microsoft server 2012 R2 will no longer receive critical security updates and patches after October 2023. This means that any data stored on your server will be at a much higher risk of threat from hackers or cyber-attacks. Therefore, we recommend that you take a proactive approach and update your server operating system well in advance of this support removal. When Does End-Of-Life Happen?Microsoft’s higher-profile software solutions such as Microsoft 365 have quite a vague lifecycle as support tends to be ‘unlimited’ without having an actual time frame stated. With Windows server products, however, they have a much more specific lifecycle which we will now go into more detail about. These more traditional operating systems are released under Microsoft’s ‘Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)’ which means product support is offered for 10 years. The first 5 years of support is termed ‘mainstream support’ and the latter 5 years are termed ‘extended support’. So how does this relate to server 2012 R2? Well, as the initial notice period for the end-of-life was given in 2018, this means it has now entered its ‘extended support’ phase until 2023. What Happens After Extended Support Ends?The line is quite black and white when the ‘extended support’ phase ends. Microsoft essentially rinse their hands of the product and there will be no support provided whatsoever, and the product will therefore be unprotected. An unsupported operating system will no longer receive any security updates, official patches or bug fixes so it is incredibly insecure moving forward. So if you use Windows server 2012 R2 then you really need to think about shifting away from it sooner rather than later. An insecure network opens up lots of opportunities for cybercriminals to make their move and cause widespread damage. Not only are you exposing your network to potential breaches, but also the data stored on the network too. Steps You Can TakeWhile you have got around 18 months to upgrade your server 2012 R2 if you are still running this, we would advise you to start thinking about this sooner rather than later. It may be that your entire IT infrastructure needs upgrading to the latest version, so it is always best to ensure you have time on your side. How Old Are Your Servers?It is worth noting that if you are using this outdated server then there may well be other IT infrastructure that you need to update at the same time. For example, if you haven’t upgraded your server operating system in the last 10 years then you will most likley need to upgrade your applications too. It is important to bring all IT systems up to date to reduce the risk of your business being prone to attack by hackers. The team at Reality Solutions are experts when it comes to supporting businesses with their IT support and infrastructure, and we provide a no-obligation quote. If you are running server 2012 R2 then please give us a call today to discuss your options on 01482 828000. What Does Cyber Essentials Accredited Really Mean?For those who are eagle-eyed, you may have noticed that on the homepage of our website, there is the Cyber Essentials accreditation logo. What does this mean though, how can we help to protect businesses from cyber attacks? Read on to find out more! Cyber... Cybersecurity Myths: True or False?As the business landscape has gone through the recent digital transformation, there has been a significant increase in cyberattacks, phishing and ransomware threats. This also means that people have been putting lots of information out there to help businesses owners navigate these threats. It can... Managed Service Providers ExplainedManaged Service Providers is another term for IT professionals, but when it comes to Managed Services themselves, are they all the same? We have put together this blog to explain all, so that when it comes to outsourcing your IT support you know exactly what... How To Back Up Data When Working From HomeWith more and more people working from home (although this may change in winter with the energy crisis!), ensuring your staff back up their data is more important than ever before. Whilst we like to think anything stored on our computers is safe and secure,... Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2, codenamed "Windows Server Blue", is the seventh version of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft, as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was unveiled on June 3, 2013 at TechEd North America,[5] and released on October 18 of the same year.[2] It is the successor to the original Windows Server 2012, and is the Windows 8.1 derived server operating system to receive official support from Microsoft. A further update, formally designated Windows Server 2012 R2 Update, was released in April 2014.[6] It is a cumulative set of security, critical and other updates.[7] Windows Server 2012 R2 is derived from the Windows 8.1 codebase, and runs only on x86-64 processors (64-bit). Windows Server 2012 R2 was succeeded by Windows Server 2016, which is derived from the Windows 10 codebase. Features[edit]The following features are introduced in Windows Server 2012 R2:
Editions[edit]According to the Windows Server 2012 R2 datasheet published on May 31, 2013, there are four editions of this operating system: Foundation, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter.[21] As with Windows Server 2012, the Datacenter and Standard editions are feature-identical, varying only based on licensing (particularly licensing of virtual instances). The Essentials edition has the same features as the Datacenter and Standard products, with some restrictions.[22] See also[edit]
References[edit]
Further reading[edit]
Is Windows Server 2012 R2 still supported?Windows Server 2012 R2 - Microsoft Lifecycle | Microsoft Learn. This browser is no longer supported. Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
What is the difference between Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter and Standard?A Standard edition license entitles up to two VOSEs on up to two processors (subject to the VOSE use rights outlined in the Product Terms document for Volume Licensing or End User License Agreement for other channels). A Datacenter edition license entitles an unlimited number of VOSEs on up to two processors.
Can Windows Server 2012 R2 be upgraded to 2022?2012R2->2019->2022 is an allowed path using inplace-upgrades (this does not require a server 2019 license).
Which of the system are supported by Windows Server 2012?System requirements
Windows Server 2012 runs only on x86-64 processors. Unlike older versions, Windows Server 2012 does not support Itanium. Upgrades from Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are supported, although upgrades from prior releases are not.
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