Windows Server 2019 End of Life: What to Do Now?

What does it mean: Windows Server 2019 end of life?

Windows Server 2019 is a server operating system released by Microsoft in November 13, 2018, offers various editions like Datacenter and Essentials, along with a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version. Many users are curious about the Windows Server 2019 support end date. Here is the lifecycle of Windows Sever 2019.

As Windows versions are continuously updated, certain older versions are no longer receiving official support. With official updates no longer provided, new vulnerabilities cannot be fixed, posing a significant security risk for your business. If your business is still using Windows Server 2019, it's crucial to migrate your data promptly to prevent issues after the shutdown in face of Windows Server 2019 end of life.

Should I upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022?

Windows Server 2022 not only provides enhanced security but also offers reduced operating costs, advanced analytics, streamlined IT management, and simplified remote working capabilities. In the face of Server 2019 end of life, considering the benefits of upgrading to Server 2022:

1. Enhanced Security
2. Faster Digital Transformation
3. Easy Remote Working
4. Improved Scalability and Flexibility
5. Simplified IT Management

How to upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022

To upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 to 2019 securely in face of Windows Server 2019 EOL, there are two options for you, that is to perform an in-place upgrade or clean install of Windows Server.

Step 1. Log in to your Windows Server 2019, download the media file from Microsoft, and then double-click the Setup.exe file to update and install Windows Server 2022.

Step 2. In the Install Windows Server window, click on Change how Setup downloads updates and select Download updates, drivers, and optional features. Click Next to proceed.

Step 3. Enter the product key for your current server and click Next to proceed.

✍Tip: If you don't have the product key, check the Windows Server Product Key Box in your official email. It's usually listed there and sent to your email when you purchase Windows Server 2019.

Step 4. Choose the edition of Windows Server 2022, ensuring it matches the edition of Windows Server 2019 you are currently using, then click Next.

✍Note: The product key is used to activate the same version of the operating system when you perform an in-place upgrade to a new one.

Step 5. Read through the applicable notices and license terms, then click Accept to proceed.

Step 6. Choose Keep personal files and apps, then click Next. Note that if you don't select the correct version, the first option might not be available.

Step 7. Once Windows Server Setup analyzes your device, it will prompt you to proceed with the upgrade. Click Install to continue.

Step 8. The upgrade will commence, and you'll see the progress displayed on the screen. After the process is complete, the server will automatically restart.

Don’t forget backup your important data regularly to keep data intact

If Windows Server 2019 support end date, you need to consider backup your important data in case of malware or virus attacks, and other challenges as well.

Additionally, during the upgrade process, you might encounter different error messages, like installation failures, long upgrade durations, or insufficient local storage space. Furthermore, you might still experience ongoing system problems even after the upgrade is finished. To safeguard your important files on your Server and mitigate potential disasters effectively, consider using reliable backup software such as AOMEI Backupper Server.

• It allows you to schedule automatic backup in Windows Server in daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers and USB plug in.
• For backup destinations, you have various choices, such as local disk, external hard disk, USB drive, CD/DVD, network or NAS, clouds, etc.
• For operating systems, you can use it in Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012(R2)/2008(R2)/2003, etc.
• Create a recovery environment or bootable device to restore a crashed system.

Now please download this software and install it on your computer.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper and navigate to the Backup > System Backup.

Step 2. By default, the necessary system partition(s) will be selected. Simply select the destination path where you want to store the backup files.

✍Tip: you can save the backup image to local/ external drive, NAS and Share, Cloud and etc.

Step 3. Review the selected operations and click on Start Backup to start the backup process for Windows Server 2019.

Verdict

So in the end, Windows Server 2019 end of life refers to that Windows won’t continue to support Windows updates. Taking proper measures can prevent potential data loss risks. You can upgrade the existing system to a higher version like Windows Server 2022. Additionally, you can use AOMEI Backupper to backup your important data so that even if you lose your data in the future, you can retrieve it backup in the future with such “Plan B”.

AOMEI Backuppr also supports you to clone the entire system to keep the whole disk intact, so you can use another device like never changed.