Microsoft’s Windows Server line runs from the original Windows NT Server releases through Windows Server 2025. The current numbered Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release is Windows Server 2025; Microsoft also lists Windows Server, version 23H2, as its latest Annual Channel release, not a product named Windows Server 2023.
This timeline covers major releases, OS versions and base builds, support status, servicing channels, commands for identifying a server, and supported upgrade paths. Support dates below follow Microsoft’s release-information table where available; Microsoft’s lifecycle pages can show a one-day difference because of time-zone display.
Windows Server versions at a glance
The table covers principal releases from Windows 2000 onward. Older Windows NT Server products are listed separately because they are not part of Microsoft’s current numbered Windows Server lifecycle catalog.
| Release | Release date | OS version or build | Mainstream support ended | Extended support ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 2000 Server | 2000 | 5.0 | Not listed in current catalog | Not listed in current catalog |
| Windows Server 2003 | 2003 | 5.2 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Windows Server 2003 R2 | March 5, 2006 | 5.2 | July 14, 2010 | July 15, 2015 |
| Windows Server 2008 | May 6, 2008 | 6.0 | January 14, 2015 | January 15, 2020 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | October 22, 2009 | 6.1 | January 14, 2015 | January 15, 2020 |
| Windows Server 2012 | October 30, 2012 | 6.2 | October 10, 2018 | October 10, 2023 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | November 25, 2013 | 6.3 | October 10, 2018 | October 10, 2023 |
| Windows Server 2016 | August 2, 2016 release information; lifecycle start October 15, 2016 | 10.0, build 14393; version 1607 | January 11, 2022 (release table) | January 12, 2027 (release table) |
| Windows Server 2019 | November 13, 2018 re-release | 10.0, build 17763; version 1809 | January 9, 2024 (release table) | January 9, 2029 (release table) |
| Windows Server 2022 | August 18, 2021 | 10.0, build 20348 | October 13, 2026 (release table) | October 14, 2031 (release table) |
| Windows Server 2025 | November 1, 2024 | 10.0, build 26100 | November 13, 2029 (release table) | November 14, 2034 (release table) |
For Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, dates in this table use Microsoft’s Windows Server release-information table. Lifecycle pages may display some dates one day later; check Microsoft’s relevant product lifecycle page before making a contractual support decision.
Windows NT Server and Windows 2000
The server lineage predates the Windows Server 2003 name. Historical releases include Windows NT Server 3.1, Windows NT Server 3.5, Windows NT Server 3.51, and Windows NT Server 4.0. They should not be confused with Windows Server 2003-era versions.
Windows 2000 Server followed the NT Server family and reports OS version 5.0. It preceded Windows Server 2003 and is often missing from modern timelines. Microsoft’s Windows OS-version reference lists the version identities.
Windows Server 2003 and 2003 R2
Windows Server 2003 uses OS version 5.2. Windows Server 2003 R2 retained that identity and was released on March 5, 2006. Microsoft listed Datacenter, Enterprise, and Standard editions for 32-bit x86 and x64 systems.
Extended support for Server 2003 R2 ended July 15, 2015, according to Microsoft’s lifecycle record. These releases should not remain connected to production networks except for an exceptional, isolated legacy requirement.
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Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 introduced OS version 6.0. Editions included Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, Foundation, Itanium-Based Systems, and editions without Hyper-V.
Windows Server 2008 R2 followed in October 2009 and moved to OS version 6.1. It was 64-bit only and included Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, HPC Edition, and Itanium-Based Systems editions. Both products reached normal end of support on January 15, 2020. Microsoft lists an Azure-only fourth year of Extended Security Updates (ESU) ending January 10, 2024; that exception does not make the products generally supported. See Microsoft’s lifecycle pages for Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2.
Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 uses OS version 6.2, while Windows Server 2012 R2 uses 6.3. Depending on release, editions included Standard, Datacenter, Essentials, Foundation, Embedded Systems, and External Connector.
Normal extended support for both products ended October 10, 2023. Microsoft lists ESU Year 3 from October 15, 2025, through October 14, 2026. ESUs are a separate, limited paid-support arrangement, not continued full support. See the lifecycle records for Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2.
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Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 is identified as version 1607, OS version 10.0, and base build 14393. Microsoft lists Datacenter, Essentials, MultiPoint Premium, and Standard editions.
Microsoft’s release-information table still uses the older Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) label for Server 2016. Mainstream support ended in January 2022, while extended support ends January 12, 2027 in that table. These are Server 2016 dates, not Windows 10 version 1607 dates; the products have separate lifecycle records. Sources: Microsoft’s release information and Server 2016 lifecycle page.
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 is version 1809, with OS version 10.0 and base build 17763. Microsoft lists Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions.
Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server, version 1809, were re-released on November 13, 2018. Mainstream support ended in January 2024; extended support ends January 9, 2029 in Microsoft’s release-information table. It may receive security fixes under extended support but is no longer in mainstream support. Sources: Microsoft’s lifecycle record and release-information table.
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Windows Server 2022 has OS version 10.0 and base build 20348. Its listed editions are Standard, Datacenter, Datacenter: Azure Edition, and Essentials.
Mainstream support ends October 13, 2026 in Microsoft’s release-information table, followed by extended support through October 14, 2031. Microsoft documents hotpatching for Datacenter: Azure Edition Core through the end of mainstream support; it is not a general feature of every Server 2022 edition. Sources: Microsoft’s lifecycle record and release-information table.
Windows Server 2025
Windows Server 2025 is the current numbered Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release. Released November 1, 2024, it uses OS version 10.0 and base build 26100. Microsoft lists Standard, Datacenter, Datacenter: Azure Edition, and Essentials editions.
Mainstream support ends November 13, 2029, with extended support through November 14, 2034 in Microsoft’s release-information table. Its base build is in the same build family as Windows 11 version 24H2, so build 26100 alone cannot prove that a machine is running Windows Server; check the product caption and edition. Source: Microsoft’s Windows Server release information.
LTSC and Annual Channel releases
Windows Server has two primary servicing channels, according to Microsoft’s release-information page:
- LTSC: intended for stable, long-lived server installations with less frequent feature change. Windows Server 2025 is the current LTSC release.
- Annual Channel (AC): delivers more frequent releases for scenarios such as containers and microservices.
The two-channel model became available in September 2023. Microsoft lists Windows Server, version 23H2 as the latest Annual Channel release. It is not a new numbered LTSC product and should not be called Windows Server 2023.
How to check the installed Windows Server version
Option 1: Use systeminfo
Open Command Prompt and run systeminfo. Check the OS Name, OS Version, and OS Configuration fields. Microsoft notes that the command can take time while querying domain and network information; a delay does not necessarily indicate failure. See the systeminfo documentation.
Option 2: Use winver
Run winver from Command Prompt or the Run dialog. The About Windows dialog displays the product name and version/build information. On Server Core, this GUI-dependent command may not be available or useful; use PowerShell or systeminfo instead. See Microsoft’s winver documentation.
Option 3: Use PowerShell
For complete system information, run Get-ComputerInfo. To narrow the output to version-related properties, run Get-ComputerInfo -Property “*version”. Useful properties include WindowsCurrentVersion, WindowsVersion, and OsVersion. Microsoft documents the cmdlet as available on Windows and introduced in Windows PowerShell 5.1. See Get-ComputerInfo documentation.
Option 4: Query the product name and build with CIM
Run Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object Caption, Version, BuildNumber, OSArchitecture. This is usually the clearest option on Server Core. Do not rely on Version alone: Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 can report 10.0. The Caption and BuildNumber distinguish them. For example, build 17763 with a Windows Server 2019 caption identifies Server 2019, while build 20348 identifies Server 2022. See Microsoft’s Win32_OperatingSystem documentation.
Windows Server support status as of August 7, 2026
The dates for current releases below use Microsoft’s release-information table; ESU and older product dates are from the linked Microsoft lifecycle pages.
| Product | Status | Support information |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2025 | Mainstream support | Through November 13, 2029; extended support through November 14, 2034 |
| Windows Server 2022 | Mainstream support | Through October 13, 2026; extended support through October 14, 2031 |
| Windows Server 2019 | Extended support | Mainstream support ended; extended support through January 9, 2029 |
| Windows Server 2016 | Extended support | Mainstream support ended; extended support through January 12, 2027 |
| Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 | ESU only where applicable | Normal extended support ended October 10, 2023; Year 3 ESU ends October 14, 2026 |
| Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 | Unsupported | Normal support ended January 15, 2020; Azure-only fourth ESU year ended January 10, 2024 |
| Windows Server 2003 R2 | Unsupported | Extended support ended July 15, 2015 |
Sources: Microsoft lifecycle pages for Server 2012, Server 2012 R2, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2, and Server 2003 R2.
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Hotpatching availability
Microsoft’s current release information provides hotpatch calendars for Windows Server 2025 and Windows Server 2022. Under the documented calendar, a quarterly baseline update requires a restart; security updates in the following two months can be installed without restarting.
Availability is edition- and deployment-specific. For Windows Server 2022, Microsoft specifically documents hotpatching for Datacenter: Azure Edition Core. Do not assume Standard, ordinary Datacenter, Essentials, or every Desktop Experience installation can be hotpatched. Sources: Microsoft’s release-information page and Server 2022 lifecycle page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Supported in-place upgrade paths
Microsoft’s supported paths depend on the source release, target release, installation type, and whether the server belongs to a cluster. The table reflects Microsoft’s supported upgrade guidance.
| Starting release | Supported later releases listed by Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Windows Server 2012 | 2016 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | 2016, 2019, 2025 |
| Windows Server 2016 | 2019, 2022, 2025 |
| Windows Server 2019 | 2022, 2025 |
| Windows Server 2022 | 2025 |
Windows Server 2012 cannot be upgraded directly in place to Server 2019, 2022, or 2025 under Microsoft’s supported-path table. Starting with Windows Server 2025, a nonclustered server can upgrade directly from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later. For Server 2022 and earlier, a nonclustered in-place upgrade can move forward by up to two versions. Cluster rolling upgrades advance only one version at a time.
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In-place upgrade limitations
Before upgrading, check Microsoft’s upgrade guidance for these limitations:
- A 32-bit installation cannot be converted to 64-bit in place. All Windows Server releases beginning with Server 2008 R2 are 64-bit only.
- You cannot change the installation language during the upgrade.
- Preview or prerelease builds cannot be upgraded to released builds through a supported in-place path.
- You cannot switch between Server Core and Server with Desktop Experience during an in-place upgrade.
- You cannot upgrade an existing installation to an evaluation copy.
- Booting from a VHD is not supported for this upgrade scenario.
- Windows Storage Server editions are excluded.
- Active NIC Teaming must be disabled before upgrading.
An upgrade normally retains the existing edition: Standard upgrades to Standard, and Datacenter to Datacenter. Microsoft permits some upward conversions, including Standard to Datacenter or Datacenter: Azure Edition, but does not support downgrading Datacenter to Standard.
Bottom line
For a new long-lived deployment, Windows Server 2025 is the current LTSC choice. Windows Server 2022 remains in mainstream support until October 2026, while Server 2019 and Server 2016 are in extended support. Server 2012 and older releases need a migration plan, even where an ESU or Azure-specific exception exists.
When identifying an existing machine, use the product caption and build number together. The generic version number 10.0 is shared by several Windows Server generations and is not enough to identify the release.
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FAQ
What is the latest Windows Server version?
Windows Server 2025 is the latest numbered LTSC release. Microsoft also lists Windows Server, version 23H2, as the latest Annual Channel release; it is not called Windows Server 2023.
Is Windows Server 2022 still supported?
Yes. As of August 7, 2026, Windows Server 2022 is approaching the end of mainstream support, listed for October 13, 2026 in Microsoft’s release-information table. Extended support continues through October 14, 2031 in that table.
Is Windows Server 2019 still in mainstream support?
No. Mainstream support ended in January 2024. Microsoft’s release-information table lists extended support through January 9, 2029.
What is the difference between Windows Server 2019 version 1809 and build 17763?
1809 is the release or version designation. 17763 is the base OS build. The underlying Windows version number reported by Microsoft is 10.0.
Can Windows Server 2012 be upgraded directly to Windows Server 2025?
No. Microsoft’s supported in-place upgrade paths list Windows Server 2012 to Server 2016, not directly to Server 2019, 2022, or 2025. Server 2012 R2 can upgrade directly to Server 2025 in the supported nonclustered scenario.
How do I check whether a server is Server Core or Desktop Experience?
Run systeminfo and inspect the OS Configuration field, or use PowerShell to inspect installation details. Server Core lacks the normal graphical tools, so CIM or PowerShell is generally the most practical approach.
Does Windows Server 2025 use the same build as Windows 11?
Windows Server 2025 has base build 26100, which is in the same base build family as Windows 11 version 24H2. The build number alone is not sufficient; verify the product caption and edition.
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