Understanding support options for Windows Server with HPE ProLiant servers

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When a customer purchases an HPE ProLiant server with Windows Server OEM licenses, Microsoft and HPE are here to support them! The following is a quick overview of the different support types and options, with a list of resources for further information.

 

General product support

Customers with a valid Windows Server license are eligible for support from Microsoft, subject to the policies, terms, and conditions in place at the time of purchase. Microsoft also offers HPE Windows Server OEM license customers a wealth of online self-help support and paid technical help offerings. In addition, HPE offers a full range of support and consulting services for Windows Server via HPE Pointnext Tech Care. Note that not all support and related products are available in all countries; for information on the availability and cost of these services, refer to hpe.com/services/techcare.

End-of-support options

Windows Server products are governed by Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy, meaning they will have a published end-of-support (EoS) date at the time of launch. Fixed Lifecycle Policy products typically have five years of mainstream support followed by five years of extended support. When the product reaches the end of the mainstream support phase, customers will no longer be able to receive non-security updates or make requests to change product design and features. At this point, customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product. When the product reaches the end of the extended support phase and Microsoft stops providing security updates, the product has reached the end of support. Customers need to understand that Windows Server may still work with applications and hardware after EoS; however, these may not perform as well as expected because vendors optimize new applications and hardware for the latest version of the operating system.

For customers requiring more time to move to the latest product, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program is available for certain legacy products as a last resort option, however, it is only available to on-premises customers with Volume Licenses and Software Assurance subscription, and comes at a significant additional cost. The ESU program provides security updates only for up to three years after the EoS date.

HPE support for Windows Server

HPE supports Windows Server in the following ways:

• Full support for products in the mainstream phase of support.
• Best effort support provided for products in the extended phase. Additional support purchased directly from Microsoft may be needed in the extended phase lifecycle to have access to all patches, hot fixes, and service packs.

Product	HPE supported	Mainstream retirement1	Extended retirement
Windows Server 2012	Yes	10/9/2018	10/10/2023
Windows Server 2016	Yes	1/11/2022	1/12/2027
Windows Server 2019	Yes	1/9/2024	1/9/2029
Windows Server 2022	Yes	10/13/2026	10/14/2031

To learn more about Microsoft and HPE options for Windows Server support, visit these resources:

• Search Microsoft product and services lifecycle information.
• Read Microsoft’s end of support guidelines.
• Learn about HPE Pointnext Tech Care.
• View the HPE Supported Microsoft Server Product List.

¹Mainstream support will end five years after the general availability date or two years after the next version of the product is released, whichever period is longer.