Similar to Windows XP in 2014, support for Windows Server 2003 ended on July 14, 2015. This doesn’t mean that the operating system will STOP working. But all support, including security updates and other critical patches that will be needed for bugs and/or new vulnerabilities have ceased, leaving systems and businesses open to attacks and other security vulnerabilities. It also leads to significantly higher support costs due to band-aids, work-arounds and additional security hardware/application requirements.

What are the options?

Companies still using any version of Windows Server 2003 really have only two options:

Do Nothing. Again, the operating system will continue to perform but exposure to hacks, attacks and other security risks will increase over time. Also increasing over time will be the support costs required to keep the OS running – i.e., without Microsoft support to lean on for troubleshooting and fixes, technology professionals will be left to figure things out on their own. The only companies that should consider this as a viable option are those who have enterprise-critical software that will ONLY run on Server 2003, and there is no upgrade available for the application. For the remaining 99% of companies, including those in industries that are required by law to use supported operating systems, migrating to a newer operating system is the only viable solution.

Migrate to Windows Server 2008/R2 or Windows Server 2012. Migrating applications and data is a complex task. But when done with proper planning and using skilled resources, the process can be relatively painless. Choosing between 2008R2 and 2012 comes down to preference, budget and application compatibility. Also factoring in on the decision is the expected end-of-life of those two operating systems, which Microsoft is forecasting to be January 2020 and 2023, respectively. In either case, planning is the key so be sure not to wait to the last minute to tackle this critical initiative.

If you’re still running Windows Server 2003 and want expert help migrating to a supported Windows Server operating system, contact us using the form at right. We’ll schedule a time to come on-site and have a look under the hood before putting together a proposal for you.

Flux Labs is a Microsoft Partner specializing in Microsoft Server 2003 upgrades, server migrations and other critical IT support services.

Contact us today to learn why Flux Labs is the leading computer support company for SMB companies in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Destin, Ft. Walton & surrounding areas.