When does support for SQL Server end? Microsoft supports each version for at least ten years: five years of mainstream support, followed by five years of extended support with security updates only. Out of support are SQL Server 2016 (since July 14, 2026), 2014, 2012 and all earlier versions. SQL Server 2017 receives security updates until October 12, 2027, SQL Server 2019 until January 8, 2030, SQL Server 2022 until January 11, 2033 and SQL Server 2025 until January 6, 2036.
Quick decision
| Your version | Status November 2026 | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 R2, 2012 | out of support, no paid security updates anymore either | replace soon |
| 2014 | out of support; Extended Security Updates still run until July 12, 2027 | plan and carry out the upgrade |
| 2016 | out of support since July 14, 2026; Extended Security Updates for a fee | plan and carry out the upgrade |
| 2017 | extended support until October 12, 2027 | schedule the upgrade for 2027 |
| 2019 | extended support until January 8, 2030 | no time pressure |
| 2022 | mainstream support until January 11, 2028 | no action needed |
| 2025 | mainstream support until January 6, 2031 | no action needed |
All support dates
| Version | Available since | End of mainstream support | End of extended support |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2008 R2 | July 20, 2010 | July 8, 2014 | July 9, 2019 |
| SQL Server 2012 | May 20, 2012 | July 11, 2017 | July 12, 2022 |
| SQL Server 2014 | June 5, 2014 | July 9, 2019 | July 9, 2024 |
| SQL Server 2016 | June 1, 2016 | July 13, 2021 | July 14, 2026 |
| SQL Server 2017 | September 29, 2017 | October 11, 2022 | October 12, 2027 |
| SQL Server 2019 | November 4, 2019 | February 28, 2025 | January 8, 2030 |
| SQL Server 2022 | November 16, 2022 | January 11, 2028 | January 11, 2033 |
| SQL Server 2025 | November 18, 2025 | January 6, 2031 | January 6, 2036 |
The dates come from Microsoft’s lifecycle pages. They apply to all editions of a version, including Express. For the versions up to 2016, support requires the latest service pack (SQL Server 2016: Service Pack 3, SQL Server 2014: Service Pack 3). Since SQL Server 2017 there are no more service packs, only cumulative updates.
What the two support phases mean
| Phase | Duration | What Microsoft delivers |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream support | about 5 years | security updates, bug fixes, functional and performance improvements |
| Extended support | another 5 years | security updates only |
| After the end of support | – | no updates and no Microsoft support |
A SQL Server continues to run unchanged after the end of support. Newly discovered security vulnerabilities, however, remain open. For databases with customer, patient or accounting data, this is a risk that grows with every month. In addition, vendors of line-of-business applications usually approve new program versions only for supported SQL Server versions.
Extended Security Updates (ESU)
For versions out of support, Microsoft offers up to three more years of security updates for a fee. ESUs contain no new features and no other bug fixes. Microsoft releases them only when needed, if a vulnerability is rated critical; there is no fixed monthly rhythm.
| Version | ESU period according to the lifecycle page | Special note |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2008 R2 | expired (last in July 2023, in Azure only) | – |
| SQL Server 2012 | expired on July 8, 2025 | – |
| SQL Server 2014 | year 3 runs until July 12, 2027 | free on virtual machines in Azure |
| SQL Server 2016 | year 1 since July 15, 2026, year 3 ends in July 2029 | paid in Azure as well; outside Azure generally only with a connection through Azure Arc |
ESUs are an interim solution for environments in which an upgrade cannot be completed in time, for example because a line-of-business application has not yet been approved. They are not suitable as a permanent state.
Which upgrade path fits
SQL Server 2025 Setup upgrades an existing installation directly if it is at least at this level:
| Source version | Direct upgrade to SQL Server 2025 |
|---|---|
| SQL Server 2022, 2019, 2017 | Yes |
| SQL Server 2016 | Yes, Service Pack 3 or later |
| SQL Server 2014 | Yes, Service Pack 3 or later |
| SQL Server 2012 and earlier | No; back up the databases and restore them on the new server |
Note the operating system: SQL Server 2025 requires Windows Server 2019 or later, SQL Server 2022 runs on Windows Server 2016 or later. An old SQL Server often sits on an equally old Windows Server; in that case plan both together. The dates for this are in the overview
Windows Server end of support.
Typical cases
SQL Server 2014 Express under industry software. Express is out of support too. Ask the software vendor about approval for 2022 or 2025 and switch to the current Express version. It is free and, since 2025, allows databases up to 50 GB; the other limits are in the guide
SQL Server Express: limits.
SQL Server 2016 Standard with 25 users, server + CAL. Support expired on July 14, 2026. For the switch to 2025 you need a new server license or core licenses and, in the server + CAL model, version 2025 CALs. The old CALs are not valid for the new version.
SQL Server 2017, hardware four years old. Extended support ends on October 12, 2027. Combine the upgrade with the next hardware replacement and switch straight to 2025.
SQL Server 2019, application approved for it only. Security updates are available until January 8, 2030. You can wait until the vendor approves a newer version.
Licenses when changing versions
A license covers the version you bought. An entitlement to new versions arises only through Software Assurance or a subscription from Microsoft. If you switch from 2016 to 2025 without these additions, you license anew. A fresh look at the model is worthwhile here: the rules and worked examples are in the guide
Licensing SQL Server: per core or server + CAL, the differences between the two current versions in
SQL Server 2025 or 2022. The support dates of all Microsoft products at a glance are shown in the
end-of-support calendar.
At VivaKeys
- Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Standard, 16 Core and SQL Server 2025 Enterprise
- SQL Server 2025 Standard 1 User CAL and 1 Device CAL
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard and SQL Server 2019 Standard, if your application requires a specific version
All versions are in the SQL Server category. For earlier versions we continue to carry CALs, for example to add individual workstations to an existing environment. For new installations we recommend a version that is in support.
Frequently asked questions
When is SQL Server 2022 end of life? Mainstream support ends on January 11, 2028, extended support on January 11, 2033. Until then, Microsoft delivers security updates.
How much longer is SQL Server 2019 supported? Mainstream support ended on February 28, 2025. Security updates in extended support are available until January 8, 2030.
Is SQL Server 2016 still safe to run? Extended support ended on July 14, 2026. Since then, security updates have only been available through the paid Extended Security Updates. Without them, new vulnerabilities remain open.
Does the end of support also apply to SQL Server Express? Yes. The support dates apply to all editions of a version. The upgrade to a newer Express version is free.
Do I still get updates for SQL Server 2022? Yes. SQL Server 2022 is in mainstream support until January 11, 2028 and receives cumulative updates with bug fixes and security updates.
Does my SQL Server keep working after the end of support? Yes, technically nothing changes on the cutoff date. However, there are no more security updates and no Microsoft support.
Can I still buy licenses for an old version? For some earlier versions yes, see the
SQL Server category. This only makes sense to extend an existing environment.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2025
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2022
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2019
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2017
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2016
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2014
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/microsoft-sql-server-2012
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/microsoft-sql-server-2008-r2
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/end-of-support/sql-server-end-of-support-overview
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/end-of-support/sql-server-extended-security-updates
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/supported-version-and-edition-upgrades-2025