Version of the Windows NT operating system | |
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![]() Screenshot of Windows Server 2012 R2, showing the Server Manager application which is automatically opened when an administrator logs on, start button, taskbar, and the blue color of Aero Lite | |
Developer | Microsoft |
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OS family | Windows Server |
Working state | Current |
Source model | Closed source / Shared source |
Released to manufacturing | August 27, 2013 [1] |
General availability | October 17, 2013 [2] |
Latest release | 6.3 (Build 9600) / October 11, 2022 [3] |
Marketing target | Business |
Update method | Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services, SCCM |
Platforms | x86-64 |
Kernel type | Hybrid (Windows NT kernel) |
Default user interface | Windows shell (GUI) |
License | Trialware |
Preceded by | Windows Server 2012 (2012) |
Succeeded by | Windows Server 2016 (2016) |
Official website | Windows Server 2012 R2 (archived at Wayback Machine) |
Support status | |
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Windows Server 2012 R2, codenamed "Windows Server Blue", is the eleventh version of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft, as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was unveiled on June 3, 2013, at TechEd North America, [5] and released on October 18 of the same year. [2] It is the successor to Windows Server 2012, and is based on the Windows 8.1 codebase. Windows Server 2012 R2 is the final version of Windows Server to use the "R2" suffix, which had been used since the release of Windows Server 2003 R2 in 2005. [6]
Windows Server 2012 R2 removed support for processors without CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW, LAHF and SAHF.
A further update, formally designated Windows Server 2012 R2 Update, was released in April 2014. [7] It is a cumulative set of security, critical and other updates. [8] Windows Server 2012 R2, like previous versions of Windows Server before it and versions after it, is only compatible with 64-bit processors.
Windows Server 2012 R2 was succeeded by Windows Server 2016, which is derived from the Windows 10 codebase. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2012 R2 ended on October 9, 2018, and extended support ended on October 10, 2023. Windows Server 2012 R2 is eligible for the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers continued security updates until October 13, 2026.
The following features are introduced in Windows Server 2012 R2:
According to the Windows Server 2012 R2 datasheet published on May 31, 2013, there are four editions of this operating system: Foundation, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter. [22] As with Windows Server 2012, the Datacenter and Standard editions are feature-identical, varying only based on licensing (particularly licensing of virtual instances). The Essentials edition has the same features as the Datacenter and Standard products, with some restrictions. [23]
Microsoft originally planned to end mainstream support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on January 9, 2018, with extended support ending on January 10, 2023. In order to provide customers the standard transition lifecycle timeline, Microsoft extended Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 support in March 2017 by 9 months. Windows Server 2012 reached the end of mainstream support on October 9, 2018 and entered the extended support phase, which ended on October 10, 2023. [24] [25] [26]
Microsoft announced in July 2021 that they will distribute paid Extended Security Updates for volume licensed editions of Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 for up to 3 years after the end of extended support. [27] For Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, these updates will last until October 13, 2026. This will mark the final end of all security updates for the Windows NT 6.2 product line after 14 years, 2 months and 12 days and will also mark the final end of all security updates for the Windows NT 6.3 product line after 13 years, 1 month and 16 days.
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