Windows Server 2016: end of support on 12 January 2027
Extended support for Windows Server 2016 ends on 12 January 2027, a date often called its end of life. After that, Microsoft no longer releases regular security updates. The servers keep running, but newly discovered vulnerabilities are only fixed for customers who buy Extended Security Updates (ESU). Here you will find the dates, your options and a checklist for the move.
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The dates at a glance
Source: Microsoft's Windows Server release information, retrieved on 8 October 2026. Microsoft's page on Extended Security Updates also gives 12 January 2027. It is a Tuesday, Microsoft's regular Patch Tuesday. Some overviews give 13 January.
| Version | End of extended support |
|---|---|
| Windows Server 2016 | 12 January 2027 |
| Windows Server 2019 | 9 January 2029 |
| Windows Server 2022 | 14 October 2031 |
| Windows Server 2025 | 14 November 2034 |
For Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, extended support already ended on 10 October 2023, and the paid ESUs end on 13 October 2026.
What happens after 12 January 2027
No more regular security updates
Microsoft then only fixes newly discovered vulnerabilities for customers with ESU. Without ESU, the server stays at its January 2027 patch level.
Vendors decide on their support
Whether industry software and antivirus solutions continue to support Windows Server 2016 is up to each vendor. Ask how long your applications will still support this version.
Check contracts and insurance
Some cyber insurers and clients require supported systems. What applies to you is set out in your specific terms.
Your options
1. Upgrade the existing server
Microsoft supports a direct upgrade from Windows Server 2016 to 2019, 2022 and 2025. Not every server role can be upgraded this way, as Microsoft's overview of upgrade paths shows. The hardware stays the same, and so does its age.
2. Buy new hardware
New servers and licences, then data and applications move over. You continue to plan hardware, updates and the next replacement yourself.
3. Move to a data centre
Servers or complete desktops run in the data centre, the provider takes care of hardware and operations, and you pay monthly. Important: simply moving a Windows Server 2016 to a data centre does not extend its support. That makes the move the right time to switch to the new version.
As a bridge: Extended Security Updates. If the move cannot be completed by January, Microsoft provides critical and important security updates for up to three more years for a fee. ESUs include neither new features nor technical support. They are available through Microsoft licensing programmes or Azure Arc (ESU FAQ). ESUs buy time, but they do not replace the move.
Checklist for the move
Five questions that should be answered before any decision. How much lead time you need depends on your applications, the amount of data and the testing. So start now.
- Which servers still run Windows Server 2016, and what runs on them? Virtual machines count too.
- Do the vendors of your applications support a current Windows Server version? This includes databases such as SQL Server.
- Which version will you move to? Windows Server 2019 is only supported until January 2029, 2022 until 2031, 2025 until 2034.
- How old is the hardware, and who looks after the servers today and in future?
- When does the move have to be completed? Allow time for testing, acceptance and a fallback plan.
Moving with centron
If you want to hand over operations, your servers move to our own data centre in Hallstadt near Bamberg, on a current Windows Server version. We take care of updates, security patches and monitoring with Premium Full Managing, and we bill the Windows licences monthly.
- Complete desktops: With the Cloud Desktop, your team works with its Windows applications and files from the data centre, from €38.38 per user per month (from 20 users).
- Terminal servers for your IT team or IT service provider: Terminal server hosting for €186.68 per server per month, plus €10.38 per user.
- Individual servers: File, database or application servers as virtual machines in our ccloud³.
Net, plus VAT and backup storage based on usage, no minimum term, as of October 2026. Setup and migration are listed separately in the quote.
How the move works: in the assessment, we look at your applications, data, users, printers and interfaces and agree which tasks remain with your team or IT service provider. We then set up the new environment, and selected employees test typical workflows with real data. The date, possible interruptions and a fallback plan for the switchover are agreed in advance. After acceptance, we take over the agreed operations.
Frequently asked questions about Windows Server 2016 end of support
When exactly does support for Windows Server 2016 end?
What does end of life mean for Windows Server 2016?
What are Extended Security Updates (ESU)?
Can we upgrade directly from Windows Server 2016 to 2025?
Which version should we move to?
What about SQL Server 2016?
Is it enough to move the old server to a data centre?
Our IT service provider looks after the server. Will that stay the same?
Shall we review your environment?
Tell us how many users are affected and which applications run on your servers. You will receive a quote with a fixed monthly price; setup and migration are listed separately.