Windows Server Product Life-Cycle Policies

Windows Server Product Life-Cycle Policies

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Windows Server operating system product life-cycle policies provide advance notification of planned changes in product availability and support. This page helps customers and partners make decisions regarding product planning and information technology issues. Product Support Windows 2000 Server and future server operating systems are eligible for a minimum of seven years of support, defined in two phases: Mainstream support. This includes paid-per-incident and free hotfix support for a minimum of five years. Extended support. This includes hourly support and paid hotfix support for two years following the end of the mainstream phase. IMPORTANT: The immediately preceding service pack is supported for up to 12 months after the current service pack releases. For more information, visit http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh%3Ben-us%3Blifecycle&LN=EN-US&x=20&y=10. Support Dates for Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server Type of Support Availability Mainstream Paid-per-incident support Free hotfix support June 30, 2005 Extended Hourly support Paid hotfix support June 30, 2010 Security hotfixes Free to all customers through March 31, 2007 Product Availability With the release of Windows Server 2003 earlier this year and after nearly four years in the marketplace, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Window 2000 Server Client Access Licenses (CALs) will be retired in phases. Customers who are in need of a copy of Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server can obtain a copy of Windows Server 2003 and exercise their downgrade rights. For more details click here.