Goodbye Windows 2012 Server

Well, you’ve had a good innings, it’s time to say goodbye. Windows 2012 Server software is coming to an end in October 2023.

What does coming to an end actually mean though?

It simply means there is no more support and no more security updates. Basically, if you have a problem with the product, there is no help on hand from Microsoft, and most IT Support (such as ourselves) will no longer support it either. 

As there are no more security updates for it, you’re one exploit away from having a compromised device on your network. This could then act as a gateway into all of your computer systems.

The product will not stop working in October 2023, and some of you will think “well, we’ll just continue running it then” – that’s a bad move. You’ll find that other software providers (for example if you have Sage installed on your server) will also stop supporting it as well. Much more important though is the lack of updates and security fixes.

What are your options to replace a Windows 2012 server?

For us, it comes down to two options. You either look at not having a physical server anymore and move the systems on your current server to Cloud services (basically services securely hosted on the Internet, not on your own box), or if there is a really compelling reason, you simply get an up-to-date new server to see you through the next few years.

We’re not big fans of physical servers (anymore). You can get a more reliable system, which is more secure and cheaper to maintain than a physical server. In general terms, it’s easier to collaborate when your systems are hosted in the Cloud than on a physical server.

With a physical server, you’re heavily reliant on the local hardware, and the local Internet connection and there is the backup side of things to maintain.

The takeaway lesson here is – to do something!

Please do something – don’t bury your head in the sand or ignore it. It will come back to haunt you. You must plan and start the ball rolling now. Running unsupported and out-of-date systems on your network isn’t the way forward. As ever, the solution will more than likely be simple and easy to achieve, there is no need for a super complex solution, and it doesn’t need to be mega expensive either.

Gavin Moorhouse is the owner of Lucid Computer Solutions, an IT Support and Cloud Services business based in Redditch. He produced this article using Cloud systems.