Microsoft is shutting down support for Windows Server 2003, urges SA to migrate

After over a decade since the release of Windows Server 2003, Microsoft will now finally seize support come 14 July.

Leon Wright from Microsoft SA says that 11.9 million physical servers around the world are still running Windows Server 2003.

This means that two out of every five computer systems running Windows Server are out-dated, and could thus become a security risk if not acted accordingly.

“The shock value of this statistic resides in the fact that this is the case despite IT managers worldwide being aware that Microsoft will no longer be issuing security updates, automatic fixes, or online technical assistance for any version of this server system as of 14 July,” Wright says.

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The continual use of Windows Server 2003 after 14 July might also result in organisations not being able to meet certain regulatory and compliance requirements like PCI.

Microsoft SA stresses that businesses still running Windows Server 2003 in their data centres should be planning and executing a migration strategy to move to a modern server system such as Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Azure, and Office 365.

The company notes that the real motivating factor for businesses to migrate should be the modernisation of their infrastructure. Businesses will now have the ability to capitalise on opportunities and solve issues that come about in the digital era and its modern business trends like cloud, mobility, big data and social.