Windows Server 2012 R2 will have a number of storage, virtualization and networking improvements, plus Hyper-V improvements, including Linux and Unix virtual machine support.

Organizations that operate Microsoft SQL Server may have to rethink their database virtualization strategy, thanks to the upcoming release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2.

Microsoft has reminded customers that Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 will reach its extended end-of-support (EOS) date next year, on October 10, 2023.

Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 are no longer supported products as of Oct. 10, 2023, meaning no more patches will be arriving.