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 Windows Server 2003 Life-Cycle PolicyOn October 15, 2002, Microsoft announced a new support life-cycle policy. This consistent and predictable policy is designed to standardize support guidelines across product lines and will cover most products currently available via retail purchase or volume licensing and future release products. Product life-cycle policies provide advanced notification of planned changes in product availability and support. This information helps customers and partners with product planning and information technology decisions. The links below provide access to specific information about Windows products.
For more detailed information on the Microsoft Support Lifecycle, please visit: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy. |
Distribution Life-Cycle Information
General rules for distribution end of life per channel. |
| • | OEM Royalty – End of Distribution of a product by an OEM typically occurs 12 months after the next version releases to manufacturing (RTM). |
| • | OEM System Builder Channel – End of Distribution of a product in the System Builder channel typically occurs 18 to 24 months after the RTM of the next version. |
| • | OEM Embedded – End of Distribution of a product by an embedded OEM typically occurs 15 years from RTM of the product. |
| • | VL – Media will discontinue N-1. Example, we will remove the Windows Server 2003 and/or Windows Server 2003R2 media from the price list once Windows Server 2008 R2 hits the price list. The Licenses discontinue as soon as the next version hits the price list. If the end user needs the previous license, they can downgrade. |
| • | FPP – The prior version will typically discontinue 60 days after the next versions RTM date. (RTM date is language specific.) Note: Discontinued date is the date the product is pulled off the price list and no more orders can be placed. |
| Distribution Availability Roadmap | ||||||
| Products Released | General Availability Date | OEM Royalty | OEM SBC | OEM Embedded | FPP* | VL** |
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86) | 5/28/2003 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems | 6/19/2003 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition | 5/28/2005 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86) | 5/28/2003 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems | 6/19/2003 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition | 5/28/2005 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86) | 5/28/2003 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition | 5/28/2005 | Discontinued | Discontinued | March 2018 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition | 5/28/2003 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition (32-Bit x86) | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter x64 Edition | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86) | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86) | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition | 3/5/2006 | March 2009 | Sept 2009 | March 2018 | Discontinued | July 2009 |
Note: These dates may change. Only to be used as a guide
* Japan will EOL the distribution of Windows Server 2003 R2 March 2009.
** VL refers to the media distribution. The Licensees discontinue once the new version hits the price list.