Hi, I govern an organization, and I have been using windows server 2003 for the server systems in my windows. Do I need to switch windows server from 2003 to 2012 to stay protected?
Due to the declaration of Microsoft for the end of windows server support system 2003, it is certain to switch windows server 2003 to 2012 as Microsoft will not be providing any fixing updates or security keys for windows support server 2003 operating system as it is outdated now and not able to secure your data properly.
So, in my opinion, I would suggest you switch your data from windows server 2003 to 2012 to stay protected from spyware and malware as server 2003 will not be providing any updates to keep your data protected from spyware or viruses.
In computer operating system and other software products, the term “End of Life” or EOL refers to product support which can include regular releases of product updates like Service Packs, security updates, and customer assistance.
This means when an operating system, like Windows XP for example, reaches End of Life, everything will be cut off like no new releases of Service Packs, security patches will no longer be provided, and no customer assistance will be accepted. Though support will be discontinued, your product or the operating system will continue to function and work on your computer.
Reaching End of Life doesn’t have an effect on the functioning of the operating system. With Windows Server 2003, Microsoft ended support for this server operating system on July 14, 2015. After this date, the operating system will no longer receive the following:
Here’s a message from the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (CISA):
“All software products have a lifecycle. End of support refers to the date when Microsoft will no longer provide automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. As of July 2014, there were 12 million physical servers worldwide still running Windows Server 2003.”
For Windows Server 2012, Microsoft has extended its life and publishing new EOL dates. Microsoft modified the EOL dates for both its “mainstream support” and “extended support” cycles for Windows Server 2012. The new end-of-extended support date for Windows Server 2012 is October 10, 2023 based on Microsoft’s newly updated Product Lifecycle page. The original date is January 10, 2023.
Microsoft’s lifecycle support policy has two five-year phases for Windows products. For more information on the extended lifecycle of Windows Server 2012, go to Lifecycle dates extended for Windows Server 2012.
