Windows Server is a special edition of the Microsoft operating system. This edition is specially designed to run on all types of servers, since they are editions specially designed to control domains and offer certain services over the network. So far, the development of this edition of Windows has gone hand in hand with that of the desktop version. That is, receiving new versions every 6 months, something inadmissible within a server environment. Luckily, things will change from the next version.
Along with Windows 11, Microsoft is going to release its new Windows Server 2022 . This new edition of server Windows will come with several very interesting features for these computers, such as:
- Advanced multi-layer security.
- Hybrid capabilities with Azure.
- Flexible application platform.
But, without a doubt, the most interesting novelty that we are going to find is when analyzing the support of the new Windows Server 2022. And it is that, luckily, it breaks with what we have seen in this latest version and returns to the origins.
The new Windows Server will always be LTSC
The latest Windows Server 2016 and 2019 have been receiving updates every 6 months, just like the desktop version of Windows 10. However, each of these versions has a special LTSC edition , with extended support, which will allow you to continue using these systems with support until 2026 and 2029 respectively.
With the release of Windows Server 2022, Microsoft wants to simplify all of this and offer users a single server edition: the LTSC. The new Windows for servers will receive feature updates every 2 years (they will also be LTSC) and each of these versions will have 10 years of support.
During the entire support cycle for LTSC editions, Windows only receives maintenance updates (bug fixes and security patches), but does not receive any additional features or functionality.
This change will be welcomed by system administrators. They cannot afford to update the servers twice a year. And in this way, they can forget about updating their servers, without taking any risk, for the next 10 years.
Of course, Microsoft will continue to offer a mode of semi-annual updates (that is, new versions every 6 months) mainly focused on servers dedicated to container virtualization and microservices. And this will be available through Azure Stack HCI.
How much support does my server have left?
As we have said, Windows Server 2016 (version 1607) and 2019 (version 1809) will be extended support versions that will continue to receive updates until 2027 and 2029 respectively. However, what about the rest of the server versions that have received new versions every 6 months?
Currently, Windows Server has, within its semi-annual channel, three versions underway: 1909, 2004 and 20H2. The first of them stopped being supported in May, so the servers that continue to run it will be in danger. The second, 2004, will no longer be supported next December, while version 20H2, the most recent server version, will be supported until May 2022 .
A very chaotic support, in every way, which luckily will be solved with the arrival of the new Windows Server 2022.