To learn more about planning for end of support or retirement, click here for Extended Security Updates for SQL Server and Windows Server. For information on the latest versions of Windows Server and SQL Server and benefits of upgrade, visit the Windows Server and SQL Server pages on Microsoft.com.

The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is a last resort paid option for customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support. They are not intended as a long-term solution, but rather as a temporary bridge to stay secure while one migrates to a newer, supported platform. It includes Critical* and/or Important* security updates up to three years after the product's End of Extended Support date.

The ESU program does not extend the product's lifecycle and does not provide technical support beyond the original support timeline. Customers using ESUs will not receive standard support services such as troubleshooting, bug fixes, or technical guidance for issues unrelated to security updates.

Extended Security Updates will be distributed if and when available. ESUs do not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests.

* As defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC).

You may only acquire ESU Year 2 and Year 3 licenses if you've also acquired the ESU license(s) for the prior year(s). For example, before you acquire the ESU Year 2 license, you must also acquire ESU Year 1.