Windows Server Versions: Complete List & Support Dates

This is a reference list of every Windows Server version — the table our Windows Server support team works from when assessing an estate. It covers releases from Windows Server 2003 through Windows Server 2025, plus the Annual Channel, with release dates, mainstream and extended end-of-support dates, and current status. All dates are taken from Microsoft's lifecycle pages; each version links to its official entry.

Windows Server versions list: all releases and support dates

Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases follow the Fixed Lifecycle Policy: five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support. Dates below are the official end dates as published on Microsoft's lifecycle pages and the Windows Server release information page.

Current versions: Windows Server 2025 and 2022

Windows Server 2025 is the current LTSC release, generally available since November 1, 2024. It receives mainstream support until November 13, 2029 and extended support until November 14, 2034. Feature detail and edition comparison are in our Windows Server 2025 overview.

Windows Server 2022 remains supported, but its mainstream support phase ends on October 13, 2026. After that date it receives security updates only, through October 14, 2031. New deployments started today should use 2025 unless an application vendor has not certified it.

LTSC vs. Annual Channel

Since September 2023, Windows Server ships in two channels, documented in Microsoft's servicing channels comparison:

• Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) — a major release every two to three years (2016, 2019, 2022, 2025), ten years of support, installable as Server Core or with Desktop Experience. This is the channel general-purpose servers run.
• Annual Channel (AC) — a release roughly every twelve months, supported for 24 months (18 mainstream plus 6 extended), Server Core only, aimed at container hosts. It requires volume licensing with Software Assurance. Version 23H2 is the latest AC release; its servicing ended October 24, 2025. Moving between AC releases requires a clean installation, not an update.

The Semi-Annual Channel that preceded the Annual Channel was retired on August 9, 2022 with version 20H2.

Versions approaching end of support

Windows Server 2016 exits extended support on January 12, 2027. That leaves under six months from the time of writing. Migration options and the ESU position are covered in our Windows Server 2016 end-of-life guide.

Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 are in the final year of the ESU program, which ends October 13, 2026. ESUs cover critical and important security fixes only; the base OS has received no other updates since October 2023. Instances running in Azure (or connected via Azure Arc with an ESU subscription) receive ESUs without separate volume-license purchase, per Microsoft's Extended Security Updates FAQ.

Windows Server 2019 left mainstream support on January 9, 2024. It receives security updates until January 9, 2029 — a workable runway, but no non-security fixes ship for it. Details in our Windows Server 2019 end-of-life guide.

How to check your Windows Server version

Run winver from the Run dialog or a command prompt. The dialog shows the product name, version (for example 21H2), and OS build.

For scriptable output including edition, build, and install date, run systeminfo and read the "OS Name" and "OS Version" lines. Build numbers map to versions as follows: 26100 is Windows Server 2025, 25398 is version 23H2, 20348 is 2022, 17763 is 2019, 14393 is 2016, 9600 is 2012 R2, 9200 is 2012, 7601 is 2008 R2 SP1, 6003 is 2008 SP2, 3790 is 2003/2003 R2.

Editions: Standard and Datacenter

Since Windows Server 2012, the two mainstream editions have been Standard and Datacenter, with identical features in most areas and differing primarily in virtualization rights: Standard licenses two virtual machines per licensed host, Datacenter licenses an unlimited number. Datacenter also carries features Standard lacks — Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica (unrestricted), shielded VMs, and software-defined networking. Windows Server 2022 and 2025 add a third variant, Datacenter: Azure Edition, which is Azure/Azure Stack HCI only and supports hotpatching.

Earlier generations had a wider edition spread: 2008 R2 and before shipped Web, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions, and small-business variants (Foundation, Essentials) existed through the 2012–2019 era. Essentials remains available for 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 through OEMs, capped at 25 users.

Upgrade paths

In-place upgrade rules changed with Windows Server 2025: non-clustered systems can now jump up to four versions at once, versus two versions for Windows Server 2022 and earlier. The supported paths using installation media, from Microsoft's upgrade planning documentation:

Windows Server 2019 and 2022 can also upgrade to 2025 through Windows Update as a feature update, provided the required cumulative update is installed first. Cluster OS rolling upgrades advance one version at a time regardless of channel. Anything older than 2012 has no direct path to a current version — the standard approach is a two-hop upgrade through an intermediate version, or a side-by-side migration onto a new 2025 installation, which is the safer pattern in any case because it leaves a rollback target intact. Microsoft also advises against in-place upgrades on domain controllers; promote new DCs on a clean install instead.

Running an out-of-support version

An out-of-support Windows Server keeps running; nothing switches off. The consequences are the same as for any retired Microsoft server product: no security patches, failed compliance audits (PCI DSS, HIPAA, cyber-insurance requirements), no Microsoft support cases, and application vendors dropping certification. The exits are an in-place upgrade where a supported path exists, a side-by-side migration to 2022 or 2025, a move to Azure (where ESUs for eligible versions are included), or — until October 13, 2026 for 2012/2012 R2 — paid ESUs as a bridge.

FAQ

What is the latest version of Windows Server?

Windows Server 2025, generally available since November 1, 2024. It is the current LTSC release, supported through November 14, 2034 (extended support).

Which Windows Server versions are still supported?

Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016. Only 2025 and 2022 remain in mainstream support; 2019 and 2016 receive security updates only. 2012 and 2012 R2 receive paid ESUs until October 13, 2026.

When does Windows Server 2016 support end?

Extended support ends January 12, 2027. Mainstream support ended January 11, 2022.

When does Windows Server 2022 end of life occur?

Mainstream support ends October 13, 2026; extended support ends October 14, 2031.

How long is a Windows Server version supported?

LTSC releases get ten years: five mainstream plus five extended, with paid Extended Security Updates available beyond that for some versions. Annual Channel releases get 24 months.