Server 2003 licensing

Brass Contributor

Hoping someone can help clarify something I have been told.  In short company X is still running a few Server 2003 machines (cringe).  They purchased extended support for a few years but that has not dried up and cannot purchase anymore.

 

I am trying to get teams to install patches that where released when still under extended support (just wasn't applied back when it came out).  I am being told that as soon as the server reboots the patch will be removed because there is no license.  Cant see how this works. 

 

Does a server license actually expire?

If it does expire you can't patch it anymore?

If the license has expired does that then mean company X is in breach of licensing?

If a patch was released then shouldn't that patch be installable no matter the age of the server?

 

Sure Microsoft wants you to update but I find it negligent that MS will force remove a patch if a server is rebooted even if your license has expired.

 

1 Reply

Does a server license actually expire?

 

 

No, a Server 2003 license does not expire.

 


If it does expire you can't patch it anymore?

 


No, regardless of licensing status Windows Server 2003 patches are still available. You can check license slmgr /dli

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=windows+server+2003