The only way to get extended support for 2008 versions of Windows and SQL Server is in the cloud. Here's why you should be thinking about 2012 migrations now as well.

Microsoft on Thursday announced new Extended Security Updates plans that add three years of patch support for organizations using SQL Server 2008/R2 and Windows Server 2008/R2 products.

However, customer demand for 64-bit editions of Windows servers and SQL Server has been light. The main enhancement of 64-bit SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition is optimization for the Itanium 2 ...

SQL Server 2008/R2 and Windows Server 2008/R2 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will also reach their end support on July 12, 2022, and January 10, 2023, respectively.

Another on-premises version of Microsoft's BizTalk enterprise integration server is coming next year. And Logic Apps will be hostable on-premises in 2019, too.

Windows Server products that can be covered by Premium Assurance include 2008, 2008 R2 Standard, Datacentre and Enterprise Editions, as well as 2012 and 2012 R2 Standard and Datacentre.

UPDATE NOV. 11, 2023: A couple of months ago, Microsoft announced that it would cut support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on October 10, 2023.

“Windows Server includes Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) features which customers can use for multi-purpose, for example running file services, SQL Server, or custom apps on Software-defined ...