[German]January 2023 was the scheduled end of support for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 / R2 as part of the Extended Security Update program (ESU). February 2023 is the first month where there should actually be no more security updates. But Microsoft notes in KB4522133 that certain operating systems will receive another year of support with security updates if ESU is booked or Azure is used.
Support end date for Windows Server 2008/R2
The regular support end date for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 was, after all, January 14, 2020. However, I had already pointed out in the blog post Windows Server 20, that support could be extended until January 10, 2023 as part of the Extended Security Update program (ESU). For Windows 7 SP1, however, it was then the end of life. Only for Windows Server 2008 R2 had Microsoft extended this ESU support for another year.
KB4522133 explains how to get further support
Swiss blog reader Gerold points out extended support in this comment, that Microsoft has released a support article, explaining the option to have one more year of ESU for Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (thanks for pointing that out). In support articleKB4522133: Procedure to continue receiving security updates after extended support ended on January 10, 2023, Microsoft provides details on how users who still have systems that fell out of support on January 10, 2023, can continue to receive security updates until January 2024. This applies to the following operating systems:
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise ESU
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard ESU
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter ESU
- Windows Server 2008 Datacenter ESU
- Windows Server 2008 Standard ESU
- Windows Server 2008 Enterprise ESU
- Azure Stack Hub Windows Embedded
- POSReady 7 ESU
- Windows Embedded Standard 7 ESU
The abbreviation ESU means that the systems had to have already booked the previous three years ESU license. And as mentioned above, Windows 7 SP1 does not get a support extension – only POSReady 7 and Windows Embedded Standard 7 with ESU program. Microsoft details in the article exactly what the options are for the one year support extensions and what the requirements are. A Servicing Stack Update (SSU) or a later SSU and the ESU licensing preparation package must be installed. Only then the ESU MAK add-on key can be downloaded from the VLSC portal and installed. Customers using the above operating systems as Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) or Azure Stack HCI, version 21H2 do not need a separate ESU MAK add-on key.
Alternatively, customers can have their operating systems supplied with micropatches for small money via the 0patch agent to eliminate known vulnerabilities. I had pointed out this possibility in the blog post Will Microsoft provide ESU support for Windows 7/8.1 and Server beyond January 2023?