Microsoft Product Lifecycle

Software, in many cases, has a product lifecycle just like other products. Microsoft software is an example for this, as the availability of support and updates from Microsoft are laid down in the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. This article discusses related terms of the subject and products within the lifecycle policy.

What is End of Life (EoL)?

End of Life (EoL), also called End of Support (EoS), for software means that a certain software version is no longer supported and will no longer receive security updates. When an organization uses software without the manufacturer’s support, it is exposed to a number of security risks. The following aspects do not receive any support or improvements when a Microsoft product has reached End of Life:

Security Updates: End of Life Microsoft software do not receive security updates which leads to any vulnerabilities and security holes no longer being remedied. The lack of security updates makes the product vulnerable to attacks, viruses and malware.
Technical support: Organizations can no longer receive technical support for products that have reached the end of their lifecycle.
New features and improvements: Microsoft does not release new features or other updates for End of Life products. As a result, organizations that use End of Life software cannot use the latest functions.
Compatibility updates: When software reaches End of Life, in most cases, it has already been on the market for a few years. This outdated software can normally be run in combination with newer software, however it is possible that this can cause problems due to compatibility issues after reaching End of Life.

Microsoft Lifecycle Policies

Microsoft applies different types of policies in the field of the product lifecycle. These are explained below.

What is Microsoft Fixed Lifecycle Policy?

Products covered by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy traps have three different phases. These phases each have their own characteristics and type of support. The three phases of the Fixed Lifecycle Policies are:

Mainstream Support: Mainstream Support is the first phase of the Microsoft Fixed Lifecycle Policy. During this period, Microsoft will provide customers with a comprehensive range of support services, including regular updates, bug fixes, security patches, and new feature releases. Mainstream Support typically lasts a minimum of five years from the product's general availability date. This phase ensures that customers receive the necessary support to keep their software up to date and functioning optimally.
Extended Support: After the Mainstream Support phase ends, the product enters the Extended Support phase. During this period, Microsoft will continue to provide support to customers, but the focus will shift to critical security updates and critical bug fixes. Non- security related hotfixes may be available for purchase by Extended Support Contract customers. Extended Support generally lasts a minimum of five years after the end of Mainstream Support, allowing customers additional time to move to newer versions or alternative solutions.
Beyond End of Support: Beyond End of Support refers to the period during which a product or service no longer receives support from Microsoft. This means that Microsoft will no longer release security updates or bug fixes and will no longer provide technical support for the product. Beyond End of Support is a critical phase because it makes the software vulnerable to new security risks and compatibility issues. Customers are strongly encouraged to upgrade to a supported version or consider alternative solutions to ensure that their systems remain secure and functional. It is important to note that continuing to use a product after the End of Support date may violate compliance regulations and pose significant risks to an organization's IT infrastructure.

What is Microsoft Modern Lifecycle Policy?

Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy is a policy implemented by Microsoft to govern the support and maintenance of certain products and services. Under this policy, Microsoft will provide notice at least 12 months before ending support for a product or service if a successor is not offered. Customers must remain informed about maintenance and licensing requirements as well as have the rights to use the product or service. Microsoft also guarantees continued support for products and services covered by this policy as long as customers meet the necessary criteria. Existing Lifecycle Policies will still be followed for products with published end-of-support dates.

What is Microsoft 3-Year Notification Subset?

Microsoft has released the 3-year notification subset for several Azure product categories. This means that users of an element of the subset will receive a notification 3 years before support expires. This means that the date on which support expires is not specified in advance, as is the case with other lifecycle policies.

Support dates of Microsoft products

Below are the products for which a degree of support is still provided by Microsoft.

Windows Server 2022 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2026

Extended support end date: 14-10-2031

Windows Server 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 09-01-2024

Extended support end date: 09-01-2029

Windows Server 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: already expired

Extended support end date: 12-01-2027

Windows Server 2012 (R2) End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: already expired

Extended support end date: already expired

Users who prefer or need to continue using the 2012 version of Windows Server, can benefit from the extended security upgrade. This upgrade is free in Azure, however it can also be purchased from on-premises deployments. These are the extended security update versions:

Extended Security Update Year 1: Starts at 11-10-2023 & Ends at 08-10-2024

Extended Security Update Year 2: Starts at 09-10-2024 & Ends at 14-10-2025

Extended Security Update Year 3: Starts at 15-10-2025 & Ends at 13-10-2026

Exchange Server 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 09-01-2024

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Exchange Server 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: expired

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

SharePoint Server 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 09-01-2024

Extended support end date: 14-07-2026

SharePoint Server 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-07-2021

Extended support end date: 14-07-2026

Windows 11 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Windows 11 support dates are different for each edition and versions.

Windows 11 (Version 21H2)

Windows 11 Home & Pro: 10/10/2023

Windows 11 Enterprise & Education: 2024-08-10

Windows 11 (Version 22H2)

Windows 11 Home & Pro: 08-10-2024

Windows 11 (IoT) Enterprise & Education: 2025-10-14

Windows 11 LTSC is expected to be released in Q3 of 2024 and will have a longer support period.

Windows 10 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement Date Windows 10 Home and Pro (Version 22H2): 14-10-2025

Microsoft Project 2021 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement: October 13, 2026

Microsoft Project 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Project 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2020

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Office 2021 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement date: October 13, 2026

Microsoft Office 2021 LTSC End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement date: October 13, 2026

Microsoft Office 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2023

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Office 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2020

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft SQL Server 2022 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 11-01-2028

Extended support end date: 11-01-2033

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 11-01-2028

Extended support end date: 11-01-2033

Microsoft SQL Server 2017 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 11-01-2022

Extended support end date: 12-10-2027

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-07-2021

Extended support end date: 14-07-2026

Microsoft Visio 2021 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement date: October 13, 2026

Microsoft Visio 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 10-10-2023

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Visio 2016 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2023

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Access 2021 End of Life (Modern Lifecycle Policy)

Retirement date: October 13, 2026

Microsoft Access 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 13-10-2023

Extended support end date: 14-10-2025

Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 12-01-2027

Extended support end date: 13-01-2032

Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 End of Life (Fixed Lifecycle Policy)

Standard support end date: 09-04-2024

Extended support end date: 10-04-2029

Microsoft End of Life products

The following Microsoft software has already reached End of Life and will therefore no longer receive updates.

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2010
Microsoft Office 2013
Microsoft Office 2016 (Windows)
Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
Microsoft Office 2019
Microsoft Office for Mac 2011
Microsoft Office for Mac 2016
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010
Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Microsoft Windows Live Essentials (various components)
Internet Explorer ( all versions )