Microsoft Windows and Windows Server 2016: Prepare for End of Support

*Update 2026-03-27: Effective April 1, 2026, Microsoft is introducing a standardized pricing approach for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for SQL Server and Windows products including Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB and Windows Server. That means, customers pay the same list price regardless of:

• Deployment location: Azure, on-premises, or other public clouds
• Purchasing channel: Enterprise agreements (EA), Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) or other licensing programs

This standardized pricing approach does not apply to existing offerings, including Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows Server 2012, Windows 10 version 22H2, or SQL Server 2014.

Windows Editions reaching End of Support

Upgrades soon or switch to ESU: On October 13, 2026, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 are reaching end of support, with Windows Server 2016 following on January 12, 2027. After that, paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) licenses are needed to prolong getting critical and security updates.

End of Extended Support Dates

If your organization still uses the products listed above, your devices will receive a final monthly security update on these dates.

What is changing?

Microsoft announced that three products first released in 2016 are approaching end of support and can be covered by Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for up to three years after support ends. The affected products are Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016, and Windows Server 2016.

Support ends on October 13, 2026 for both Windows 10 editions and on January 12, 2027 for Windows Server 2016. After those dates, devices will no longer receive Windows security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.

What are ESU?

Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are licenses for products that have reached end of extended support. These licenses provide critical and important security updates for the products concerned. They do not include new features, quality fixes, or design change requests. Microsoft positions ESUs as a temporary bridge while organizations move to supported versions.

Windows Server 2016

• End of support: January 12, 2027.
• Recommended upgrade path: Windows Server 2025.
• If you cannot complete the upgrade in time: Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for up to three years. Pricing and availability details will be announced in the coming months.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016

• End of support: October 13, 2026.
• Recommended upgrade path: Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 if your devices meet the hardware requirements, or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021.
• If you cannot complete the upgrade in time: Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for up to three years. ESUs will be available through Volume Licensing or a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) in the second quarter of 2026.
• ESU pricing: $61 USD per device for the first year, or $45 USD per device for devices managed by Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch.*
• Important note: Pricing doubles in each consecutive year for a maximum of three years, and ESUs are cumulative. If you enroll in year two, you also need to pay the year one cost.

*Prices in this article are for educational purposes only and are non-binding.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016

• End of support: October 13, 2026.
• Recommended upgrade path: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 if your devices meet the hardware requirements, or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.
• If you cannot complete the upgrade in time: Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for up to three years.
• ESU procurement: ESUs are available only through IoT original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Organizations should contact their device manufacturer for pricing and availability. IoT OEMs should contact their account manager or IoT distributor.
• Important note: Pricing doubles in each consecutive year for a maximum of three years, and ESUs are cumulative. If you enroll in year two, you also need to pay the year one cost.

Overall recommendation

ESUs are a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution. If you expect devices to remain on these releases after end of support, ESUs can provide additional time, but Microsoft recommends moving to the latest supported versions: Windows Server 2025, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024. ESU pricing doubles each year and is cumulative if you start later. Hence, in many cases, it may be worth comparing the cost of ESUs with the cost of an earlier upgrade and the operational benefits of moving to a supported version. Consult a licensing expert to evaluate your options.

What organizations should do now

• Review all endpoints and servers and identify every device running Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016, or Windows Server 2016.
• Validate which devices can move to Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, or Windows Server 2025.
• Measure the total number of affected devices so budget owners can compare migration costs with ESU
• Update budget scenarios and compare your licensing options.
• Monitor Microsoft guidance for Windows Server 2016 pricing and availability details, which Microsoft says are still forthcoming.

Ready to review your Windows lifecycle and ESU options?

We will help you compare migration versus ESU paths and help you navigate these changes with ease. Contact our experts today.

Sources

For the announcement of Microsoft Windows and Windows Server 2016: Extended Security Updates for up to three years, please visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/plan-for-windows-server-2016-and-windows-10-2016-ltsb-end-of-support/4496136.

Price consistency announcement: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/services-pricing-consistency-update.

For useful software licensing information on Microsoft products, please visit: https://www.schneider.im/software/microsoft/.