Windows Server release information

Windows Server is moving to the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) as our primary release channel. The Current Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) release of Windows Server, version 20H2 will be supported through its mainstream support end date of August 9, 2022.

The focus on container and microservice innovation previously released in the Semi-Annual Channel will now continue with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), AKS on Azure Stack HCI, and other platform improvements made in collaboration with the Kubernetes community. A major new version of Windows Server will continue to be released every 2-3 years, so you can expect both container host and container images to align with that cadence.

Windows Server current versions by servicing option

(All dates are listed in ISO 8601 format: YYYY-MM-DD)


Windows Server release Servicing option Editions Availability Build Mainstream support end date Extended support end date
Windows Server 2022 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Datacenter, Standard 2021-08-18 20348.169 2026-10-13 2031-10-14
Windows Server, version 20H2 Semi-Annual Channel Datacenter Core, Standard Core 2020-10-20 19042.508 2022-08-09 Not applicable
Windows Server, version 1909 Semi-Annual Channel Datacenter Core, Standard Core 2019-11-12 18363.418 End of servicing Not applicable
Windows Server 2019 (version 1809) Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Datacenter, Essentials, Standard 2018-11-13 17763.107 2024-01-09 2029-01-09
Windows Server 2016 (version 1607) Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Datacenter, Essentials, Standard 2016-10-15 14393.0 End of servicing 2027-01-11

Note

Windows Server, version 1803 and later are governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy. See the Windows Lifecycle FAQ and Comparison of servicing channels for details regarding servicing requirements and other important information.