News

Microsoft Marks 2 Years of ESU Licensing Model

Microsoft this week marked the second year of its Extended Security Update (ESU) licensing program for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.

For organizations that still haven't upgraded to Windows 10 or newer Windows Server products, the news may trigger headaches. The ESU program, unlike other Microsoft licensing programs, requires that organizations buy licensing keys every year. These keys are good for one year, and they have to be installed on devices.

Even though Year 1 ESU keys may be installed already, organizations will need to install Year 2 keys afresh if they still need support. These Year 2 keys are good "through January 11, 2022."

Organizations can't just buy Year 2 keys alone, though. They will need to have also paid for Year 1 keys to get support. The ESU program is a three-year program altogether, which means that Microsoft will stop offering ESU keys after the Year 3 distribution, company officials have explained. The cost of the buying ESU keys is thought to double each year.

The installation process to apply ESU licenses is not too straightforward. It's demonstrated using the Microsoft Volume Activation Management Tool in this 2019 Microsoft Ignite video. IT pros need to have applied certain updates before trying to install the keys. They also need so-called "Licensing Preparation Package" files, which need to be installed before installing the ESU keys.

The ESU program lets organizations continue to get security updates for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, which fell out of support back in January. Typically, Microsoft stops delivering updates when products reach the end of their product lifecycle, including security patches.

Buying ESU keys is a clumsy process. Volume licensing purchasers need to contact their "Account Team CE" to buy the keys, while everyone else needs to find a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner that's participating in the ESU program. Microsoft offers this search portal to find those CSP partners.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

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.