News

Windows 2000 Phase-out to Begin in April

Microsoft laid out a roadmap on Wednesday for retiring Windows 2000 Server editions over the next few years. The process starts in April for Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server.

"With the release of Windows Server 2003 earlier this year and after nearly four years in the marketplace, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Client Access Licenses (CALs) will be retired in phases," Microsoft said on a Web page posted Wednesday.

The newly disclosed roadmap does not affect the Windows 2000 support lifecycle, which is unchanged from what Microsoft announced in October 2002. Mainstream support lasts until March 31, 2005 and extended support lasts until March 31, 2007.

Under the new retirement plan, retail full packaged versions of Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server will be pulled from the reseller channel on April 1. Also on that date, the two editions will no longer be available through Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs.

Customers will still be able to obtain new copies of Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server by purchasing Windows Server 2003 and exercising downgrade rights. Microsoft plans to support that approach by offering Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server disk kits until April 1, 2006.

On Nov. 1, 2004, Microsoft will stop offering Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server through the Direct OEM channel. A year later, on Nov. 1, 2005, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced Server will no longer be offered through the System Builder channel.

Microsoft's notice of the new policy is available here.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.