Microsoft Windows Server Core end of life dates
The support dates the endoflife.date record (community-maintained) holds for Microsoft Windows Server Core, read on 30 Sep 2026: when security support ends for each version (cycle), when active support ends, and extended support where the record shows it. Below them, what Cyber Essentials, the Essential Eight, CIS Controls v8, PCI DSS and NIST SP 800-53 ask of a version past its end.
- Oldest version still in support
- 2016, security support to 12 Jan 2027
- Next end date
- 2016, security support ends 12 Jan 2027
- Editions and channels
- LTS marks a long-term support version, with longer dates than the standard versions beside it.
- Vendor's own notice
- the vendor lifecycle policy for Microsoft Windows Server Core: https://learn.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/deploy-containers/base-image-lifecycle (shown, not linked: the site refused our automated check; open it in your browser); the vendor notice is authoritative
- Record
- Microsoft Windows Server Core
- Kind
- operating system
- Versions in the record
- 16
- Versions past vendor support
- 12
- Essential Eight class
- an operating system: Patch operating systems asks that operating systems no longer supported by vendors are replaced, from ML1 (the held ML2 text carries the ML1 set).
- Source
- endoflife.date/windows-server-core, community-maintained, MIT licence, read 30 Sep 2026; sources
Microsoft Windows Server Core versions and their support dates
as at 30 Sep 2026| Cycle | Released | Active support ends | Security support ends | Extended support ends | On the read date | Vendor notice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 LTS | 1 Nov 2024 | 9 Oct 2029 | 10 Oct 2034 | none in the record | supported | address held, not linked | |
| 2022 LTS | 18 Aug 2021 | 13 Oct 2026 | 14 Oct 2031 | none in the record | supported | address held, not linked | |
| 20h2 20H2 | 20 Oct 2020 | 9 Aug 2022 | 9 Aug 2022 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2004 | 27 May 2020 | 14 Dec 2021 | 14 Dec 2021 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 1909 | 12 Nov 2019 | 11 May 2021 | 11 May 2021 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 1903 | 21 May 2019 | 8 Dec 2020 | 8 Dec 2020 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 1809 | 13 Nov 2018 | 10 Nov 2020 | 10 Nov 2020 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2019 LTS | 13 Nov 2018 | 9 Jan 2024 | 9 Jan 2029 | none in the record | security fixes only | address held, not linked | |
| 1803 | 30 Apr 2018 | 12 Nov 2019 | 12 Nov 2019 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 1709 | 17 Oct 2017 | 9 Apr 2019 | 9 Apr 2019 | none in the record | past vendor support | notice | |
| 1607 | 15 Oct 2016 | 11 Jan 2022 | 11 Jan 2022 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2016 LTS | 15 Oct 2016 | 11 Jan 2022 | 12 Jan 2027 | none in the record | security fixes only | address held, not linked | |
| 2012-r2 2012-R2 LTS | 25 Nov 2013 | 9 Oct 2018 | 10 Oct 2023 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2012 LTS | 30 Oct 2012 | 9 Oct 2018 | 10 Oct 2023 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2008-r2-sp1 2008-R2-SP1 LTS | 22 Feb 2011 | 13 Jan 2015 | 14 Jan 2020 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked | |
| 2008-sp2 2008-SP2 LTS | 29 Apr 2009 | 13 Jan 2015 | 14 Jan 2020 | none in the record | past vendor support | address held, not linked |
A version this table does not list is not in the record: the finder reads it as unknown, never supported. The dates are the record's own; nothing here states a date the record does not hold.
What the schemes ask of a version past its end
- Cyber Essentials
- software on in-scope devices licensed and supported by the vendor, meaning it still receives security updates; unsupported software removed or segregated (SU.1, SU.4). Cyber Essentials Plus: removed, or isolated with compensating controls (PM-02).
- Essential Eight
- An operating system: Patch operating systems asks that operating systems no longer supported by vendors are replaced, from ML1 (the held ML2 text carries the ML1 set).
- CIS Controls v8, Safeguard 2.2
- only software that still receives vendor support may be marked authorised; unsupported software kept for the mission needs a recorded exception with compensating controls and the acceptance of the remaining risk; support status checked at least monthly.
- PCI DSS 12.3.4
- hardware and software reviewed at least every 12 months: that vendors still supply timely security fixes, end-of-life announcements documented, and a remediation plan for outdated technology approved by senior management.
- NIST SP 800-53 SA-22
- system components replaced when support is no longer available from the developer, vendor or manufacturer, or alternative sources of continued support provided.