Windows Server versions

This book focuses on Windows Server 2016 and 2019. Most versions of Windows Server 2012 are under support until 2023, and support for Windows Server 2008 versions has ended. It is important to be familiar with the Microsoft life cycle of your server's OSes. The following URL provides the most current Window server release information: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/windows-server-release-info

To view the life cycle for a specific Windows server version, go to this link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/1163

Important note

Microsoft also has a Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) option, in addition to a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC). The SAC version releases feature updates twice a year to allow customers to adopt changes faster. The latest SAC version, at the time of writing, is Windows server version 1909.

Windows Server 2019 has Standard and Datacenter versions. The Datacenter version provides...