Windows Server 2003 (WS2003), once a dominant server operating system, is now considered outdated and poses significant security risks as it has reached its end of life. Despite its past popularity and enhancements through service packs, staying on WS2003 is primarily due to budget constraints and software compatibility issues. Organizations are encouraged to migrate to newer operating systems to avoid vulnerabilities and improve security.

1. Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 was once the go-to server OS for IT,
but the world has moved on. Don't get caught up in nostalgia... it's
Mar 13, 2007
SP2 brings nearly
800 enhancements
to keep WS2003
going strong
2003
2007
Feb 27, 2008
2009
Oct 22, 2009
WS2003
Birth Certificate
No: 12345678971
DOB: 04-24-2003
Sex: Male
Father: Bill Gates
Mother: Microsoft
Peak of popularity!
More than 90% of all IT departments
used Windows Server 2003*
No new
The Time to
Migrate is
NOW
time to level up, get secure and retire WS2003!
In beta, the new
OS is affectionately
called “Whistler Server”
Apr 24, 2003
Windows Server
2003 is released
Microsoft says
WS2003 runs up
to 50% faster
than Win2K
“Windows Server 2003 is a
kickass Windows Server
2000 upgrade."
-Cliff Reeves, MS VP of
Product Management, WS2003
2005
WS2003 turns
Jul 13, 2010
z
meh.
WS2003
Sept 4, 2012
WS2003
Now with
2012
Oct 18, 2013
WS2003
2013
July 14, 2015
SUP!
(Decision makers)
Top three reasons for
still running WS2003**
Lack of time 54%
Budget constraints
Compatibility with
current software/apps
80%
Early migration Using WS2003 past
CHOOSE A PATH
$
WS2003 grudgingly retires.
IT gets a tech update after
migrating services and apps
to new OSes, hardware,
VMs or the Cloud.
Now clearly
outclassed, WS2003
starts yelling at kids
to get off of its lawn
50%
41%
the EOL date
Security risks
Compliance issues
Software incompatibility with
future applications
Reliability concerns
There’s still
hope! You can still
migrate after EOL…
2003
YOU WIN!
Want to learn more? For lively discussions, how-to's, a migration guide and more...
check out the Windows Server 2003 EOL group in the Spiceworks Community!
www.spiceworks.com/ws2003EOL
2
WS2003 Service
Pack 1 released
SP1 updates make
WS2003 stronger
and more secure
Mar 30, 2005
WS2003 Service
Pack 2 released
Windows Server
2008 R2 released
The new OS boasts 64-
bit-only architecture
and a new Hyper-V
Windows Server
2008 released
WS2003 End of
Mainstream Support
The new,
stronger
sibling upstages
WS2003 with
features like
virtualization
WS2008 R2
virtualization features
like live migration
make WS2003 look
“2000 and late”
z
z
z z
development
work on WS2003 -
after this point, the
rest of its life is just
trying to maintain
PARKING LOT
Windows Server
2012 released
multiple generations
of younger siblings,
WS2003 is officially
over the hill
Windows Server
2012 R2 released
WS2003 / WS2003 R2
End of Support
While WS2003 still works, it poses
a big security risk. However,
some companies choose to
ignore the problem...
of IT pros surveyed
are concerned about
security with an EOLed OS**
Challenges you’ll face
after WS2003 End of Life
No new security updates
leaves WS2003’s front
door open to hackers.
Do you feel safe allowing
the OS to live this way?
You’ve put WS2003 on
life support so it can
keep working until the
bitter end, despite the
huge risks
* Data pulled from Spiceworks anonymized aggregate network.
** Spiceworks survey of over 200 IT pros in the United States, September 2014.
2008
2008
2015
2010
TIME’S
UP!
grrrr!
STOP
(WS2008)