Microsoft end of support
Microsoft end of support: Windows Server 2016 stops getting updates on 12/01/2027.
After that date, new vulnerabilities stay open. Our free audit lists every affected server and licence and gives you a costed upgrade plan. For Indemnity Insurance Brokers we replaced ageing servers with new HPE server and SAN storage on Windows Server 2025, and migrated their virtual servers, Active Directory and file server.
Read the Indemnity Insurance Brokers server and storage refresh. 22+ years in the UAE, 10,000+ projects delivered since 2004.
Key dates
Products at or near end of support.
Dates are Microsoft published end-of-support dates. Check the Microsoft Lifecycle site for your exact edition.
| Product | Status | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2016 | Extended support ends 12/01/2027 | Domain controllers, file servers and line-of-business servers are most exposed. |
| SQL Server 2016 | Extended support ended July 2026 | ERP and finance databases often still run on it. |
| Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 | Support ended October 2025 | On-premises mail is a common attack target. |
| Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 | Ended October 2025 (2016, 2019) and October 2026 (2021) | Microsoft 365 apps replace them. |
| Windows 10 | Support ended October 2025 | Extended Security Updates buy time. They do not replace the upgrade. |
Unpatched servers are the easiest way into a network, and cyber insurers and auditors increasingly ask about them. Still on Windows 10 PCs? See Windows 10 ESU.
The free EOL audit
What you get, at no cost.
- Inventory of servers, SQL instances, Exchange and Office versions
- End-of-support date for each item
- Risk ranking: what to fix first
- Options per system: upgrade, migrate to cloud, or retire
- A written, costed upgrade plan you can budget against
Deadline
12/01/2027
Upgrades of domain controllers and application servers need testing time. Starting the audit now leaves room to plan instead of rushing in December.
Book the free EOL auditHow it works
How the audit runs.
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Step 1
Book
Tell us your sites and roughly how many servers you run.
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Step 2
Discover
An engineer collects versions remotely or on site, with your approval.
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Step 3
Report
You receive the inventory, risk ranking and upgrade options in writing.
FAQ
What IT managers ask about end of support.
Is the audit really free?
Yes. The audit and report are free and carry no obligation. If you want Missan to do the upgrade, we quote it separately as a fixed project.
What happens if we keep running Windows Server 2016?
It keeps working, but Microsoft stops releasing security updates after 12/01/2027, so new vulnerabilities stay open. Cyber insurers and auditors increasingly ask about unsupported servers.
Should we upgrade in place, buy new hardware or move to the cloud?
It depends on the workload and the age of the hardware. The audit recommends per system: in-place upgrade, new hardware, private cloud, or Microsoft Azure. For Indemnity Insurance Brokers the answer was a new HPE server and SAN storage on Windows Server 2025.
How much downtime does a server upgrade need?
Domain controllers and file servers are moved in planned windows, usually outside working hours, with the old server kept available until the new one is proven. The plan for each server, including the rollback, is agreed with you before the window.
Can you handle the licences too?
Yes. Missan is a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider, so the Windows Server, SQL and Microsoft 365 licences can be quoted alongside the upgrade work.
We have servers outside the UAE. Are they included?
Yes, remotely. We cover sites in the US, UK, India, Uzbekistan and the Middle East, and work with your local contacts for any hands-on tasks.
Related: Windows 10 ESU · Sangfor private cloud · VMware alternatives · Software & cloud licensing · Microsoft partner UAE
Book your free end-of-support audit
Tell us how many sites and servers you have. We reply within one business day to schedule it.
Planning a project? Get it scoped first.
Send us the brief, the deadline and what you have today. An engineer reviews it and we reply within one business day with next steps.