Microsoft System Center 2025 is now generally available
Microsoft System Center 2025 is now available, offering enhanced security, infrastructure management, and cloud capabilities for efficient IT operations.
We are excited to announce the official launch of Windows Server 2016 will be at the Ignite conference this Fall. We hope you can join us in Atlanta for the excitement! Windows Server 2016 is the cloud-ready operating system that delivers new layers of security and Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure that power your business. New capabilities will help you:
Technical Preview 5 is our final preview prior to launch and is feature complete, so download it today and try out all the new features in Windows Server 2016. Deploy, manage and secure Windows Server 2016 with the upcoming release of System Center 2016.
Windows Server 2016 includes 3 main editions:
These editions will be available for purchase on the October 2016 price list. More details on editions and pricing for Windows Server 2016 can be found here.
It’s also important to note that for the Standard and Datacenter editions, there are three installation options:
Announcing servicing guidelines for Windows Server 2016
In prior releases, Windows Server has been serviced and supported with a “5+5” model meaning that there is 5 years of mainstream support and 5 years of extended support and this will continue with Windows Server 2016. Customers who choose to install full Windows Server 2016 with a desktop experience or Server Core will maintain this servicing experience, which will be known as the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB).
Customers choosing the Nano Server installation will opt into a more active servicing model similar to the experience with Windows 10. Specifically, these periodic releases are known as Current Branch for Business (CBB) releases. This approach supports customers who are moving at a “cloud cadence” of rapid development lifecycles and wish to innovate more quickly. Since this type of servicing continues to provide new features and functionality, Software Assurance is also required to deploy and operate Nano Server in production.
Installation Option |
LTSB servicing model |
CBB servicing model |
Server with Desktop Experience |
Yes |
No |
Server Core |
Yes |
No |
Nano Server |
No |
Yes |
Our goal is to provide feature updates approximately two or three times per year for Nano Server. The model will be similar to the Windows client servicing model, but we expect it to have some differences. While we share the same goal of delivering new and valuable technology to our customers rapidly, we understand that a server operating environment has unique requirements.
For example, while it will be necessary to stay current with new versions as they come out, the new versions will not auto-update a server. Instead, a manual installation will be performed by the admin when they choose. Because Nano Server will be updated on a more frequent basis, customers can be no more than two Nano Server CBB releases behind. Only two CBB releases will be serviced at any given time, therefore when the third Nano Server release comes out, you will need to move off of #1 as it will no longer be serviced. When #4 comes out, you will need to move off of #2, and so on.
Windows Server 2016 meets businesses and organizations where they are today, and introduces the innovation needed for the transition to cloud computing when ready. This release puts the power of choice in the hands of our customers, making Windows Server 2016 the perfect stepping stone to the cloud. We hope you join us for the launch at Ignite, and as always, we look forward to your feedback and suggestions as we continue to innovate in Windows Server.