Windows Vista support can be extended through Windows Server 2008

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by Radu Tyrsina 

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Everyone is pretty familiar to how Microsoft cuts support for older versions of Windows after some time. Sooner or later, though, are met with the same fate. Windows Vista wasn’t the most popular version of Windows but there were still people using it. And as avid fans of the platform, they couldn’t have been too happy about their extended support getting cut off.

Extended support for Windows Vista ended in April 2017, meaning that Microsoft stopped pushing security updates for that version of the OS.

An exception from the rule

Despite having its extended support removed, Windows Vista still benefitted from a security patch on the Patch Day of June 2017. This, however, was an exception from the rule and Vista users shouldn’t expect something similar anytime soon. That patch also contained security updates for Windows XP, which is an even older version of Windows.

A possible solution

Those that still use Windows Vista and want to continue having support for the platform should take a look at Windows Server 2008. It has been found that Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista actually share a pretty similar architecture. What this means is that Windows Server 2008 security updates should work pretty well on the now unsupported Windows Vista. Windows Server 2008, unlike Vista, is still supported by Microsoft and it can be the salvation Vista users have been looking for.

Still a long way to go

In this scenario, many are concerned about how much longer Windows Server 2008 can hold on. After all, a product that has “2008” in its name doesn’t sound like something that will have support for much longer. While that might be what people are speculating, things are a bit different in reality: the final day of support would be the 14th of January 2020 for Windows Server 2008.

This is great news not just for those that are interested in using Windows Server Updates for Windows Vista, but for those that use Windows Server 2008 as well. The plan to further extend support up until 2020 shows that there are still people using that service and that Microsoft intends on keeping it breathing for as long as it’s needed until the majority of users transition over to more modern solutions.

Backups are important

Although there are many saying that this is a valid solution, it’s important to keep in mind that the Windows Server 2008 security updates weren’t in fact designed for Vista. That being said, the best course of action would be to have backups of the OS made just in case something goes wrong.

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More about the topics: Windows Vista

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina Shield

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.