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Windows Server 2012/ Windows Server 2012 R2 End of Life Announcement

Microsoft Server 2012 R2 End of Life

Users of Microsoft Windows Server 2012/ Windows Server 2012 R2 should be aware of the products upcoming end of life.

Microsoft will stop providing Client Access Licences for sale on March 31, 2017 though they will still be available from Ebuyer until the current stock is exhausted.  Microsoft support for CALs will continue as normal.

December 31, 2017 is when Windows Server 2012/ Windows Server 2012 R2 will cease to be produced.  Again, support will continue.

Shop at Ebuyer for Microsoft Windows server products

windows server 2012 standard

However, customers who use these products can choose to downgrade to an earlier version of the software.

Why downgrade?

Downgrading to an earlier version of Windows Server 2012/ Windows Server 2012 R2 allows licence holders to support their legacy applications until they are ready to migrate to the latest technology, in this case, Windows Server 2016.

Who can downgrade?

Those users with a Windows Server 2012/ Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Licence are able to downgrade to an earlier version including Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Windows Server 2003 Standard.

Downgrade rights also apply to users with licences for Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation and Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.

windows server 2012 essentials

How to downgrade

It is essential the correct product keys are used when installing the downgrade.

The downgrade can either be installed by the end user or the original equipment manufacturer.  It should be noted the original product key must be used to activate the downgraded software.

windows server 2012

However, in some cases it may not be possible to activate the software online.  In these instances the installer will be prompted to call a Microsoft activation line and retrieve a product key from a customer service rep.

Shop at Ebuyer for Microsoft Windows server products

Which products are covered by the End of Life announcement?

The table below shows the CALs and Windows Server software affected by the announcement and the dates on which they become EOL.

QUICKFIND Part Number Description EOL Date
396410 R18-03665 Windows Server CAL 2012 English 1pk DSP OEI 1 Clt Device CAL 31/03/2017
396411 R18-03683 Windows Server CAL 2012 English 1pk DSP OEI 5 Clt Device CAL 31/03/2017
396404 R18-03737 Windows Server CAL 2012 English 1pk DSP OEI 1 Clt User CAL 31/03/2017
396408 R18-03755 Windows Server CAL 2012 English 1pk DSP OEI 5 Clt User CAL 31/03/2017
396405 P71-06787 Win Svr Datacntr 2012 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI 2 CPU Addtl License 31/12/2017
754387 P73-06595 WinSvrStandard 2012 x64 English 1pkDSP OEI 2CPU/2VM Additional Lcns 31/12/2017
584440 G3S-00716 Win Svr Essentials 2012 R2 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI DVD 1-2CPU 31/12/2017
584623 P71-07714 Windows Svr Datacntr 2012 R2 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI DVD 2 CPU 31/12/2017
584437 P71-07785 Windows Svr Datacntr 2012 R2 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI DVD 4 CPU 31/12/2017
584438 P73-06165 Windows Svr Std 2012 R2 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI DVD 2CPU/2VM 31/12/2017
584439 P73-06229 Windows Svr Std 2012 R2 x64 English 1pk DSP OEI DVD 4CPU/4VM 31/12/2017

More information on Microsoft downgrade rights can be found here.

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