Microsoft: Windows Server 2022 reached end of mainstream support

By Sergiu Gatlan

• October 15, 2026
• 09:18 AM
• 0

Microsoft announced that Windows Server 2022 has reached the end of mainstream support and will remain in extended support until October 2031.

Microsoft unveiled Windows Server 2022 in March 2021 and made it generally available in September 2021 as a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release with 10 years of support.

"As of October 13, 2026, Windows Server 2022 has reached end of mainstream support and transitioned to extended support. The October 2026 security update is the last mainstream support update available for this version," it said.

"Extended support includes security updates at no additional cost, and Windows Server 2022 will continue to receive monthly security updates through October 14, 2031."

Microsoft has also extended Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until October 2027, one year after the mainstream end date of October 2026, for systems running the Datacenter: Azure Edition.

Before Windows Server 2022 reaches the end of support, Microsoft advised IT admins to upgrade to Windows Server 2025, which began rolling out to Windows Insiders in January 2024 and reached general availability in November 2024.

"Windows Server 2025 is the latest Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release for Windows Server. To help keep your environment protected and supported, plan your upgrade path to Windows Server 2025 for full mainstream support," the company added.

According to Microsoft's lifecycle platform, Windows Server 2025 will reach its end of mainstream support in November 2029, with an additional five years of extended support until November 14, 2034.

Those who want to test it before deployment can use the free 180-day Windows Server 2025 trial available via the Microsoft Evaluation Center. You can find more information about Windows servicing dates on the Windows Lifecycle FAQ page or using the Lifecycle Policy search tool.

On Tuesday, Microsoft also announced that devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions no longer receive security and non-security preview updates and advised customers to upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 (the latest Windows 11 version, also known as the Windows 11 2026 Update).

Last week, it also warned users to upgrade devices running unsupported versions of Windows because they will stop receiving security updates after next year's Windows Update certificate rotation.

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