Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft introduced Windows Server 2008 R2 at the 2008 Professional Developers Conference as the server variant of Windows 7, based on the Windows NT kernel.

On January 7, 2009, a beta release of Windows Server 2008 R2 was made available to subscribers of Microsoft's TechNet and MSDN programs, as well as those participating in the Microsoft Connect program for Windows 7. Two days later, the beta was released to the public via the Microsoft Download Center.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/01/windows-7-public-beta-is-available-now.ars |title=Windows 7 public beta is available now|author=Emil Protalinski|date=9 January 2009}}

On April 30, 2009, the release candidate was made available to subscribers of TechNet and MSDN.{{cite web|title=Announcing Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate (RC)|url=http://edge.technet.com/Media/Announcing-Windows-Server-2008-R2-Release-Candidate-RC/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515191034/http://edge.technet.com/Media/Announcing-Windows-Server-2008-R2-Release-Candidate-RC/|archive-date=May 15, 2009|publisher=Microsoft TechNet}} On May 5, 2009, the release candidate was made available to the public via the Microsoft download center.{{cite web|title=Download Windows Server 2008 R2 RC .iso images (May2009)|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=a4e21e2e-e992-4aec-9ed4-086de21632a2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511041447/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=a4e21e2e-e992-4aec-9ed4-086de21632a2|archive-date=May 11, 2009|publisher=Microsoft}}

According to Windows Server Blog,{{cite web|last=House|first=Crissy|date=22 July 2009|title=When to expect Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM|url=http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/07/22/when-to-expect-windows-server-2008-r2-rtm.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723183126/http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/07/22/when-to-expect-windows-server-2008-r2-rtm.aspx|archive-date=July 23, 2009|website=Windows Server Blog|publisher=Microsoft}} the following are the dates of the year 2009 when Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 has been made available to various distribution channels:

• OEMs received Windows Server 2008 R2 in English and all language packs on July 29. The remaining languages were available around August 11.
• Independent software vendor (ISV) and independent hardware vendor (IHV) partners have been able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 from MSDN starting on August 14.
• IT professionals with TechNet subscriptions were able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 and obtain product keys for English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish variants beginning August 14 and all remaining languages beginning August 21.
• Developers with MSDN subscriptions have been able to download and obtain product keys for Windows Server 2008 R2 in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish starting August 14 and all remaining languages starting August 21.
• Microsoft Partner Program (MPP) gold/certified members were able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 through the MPP portal on August 19.
• Volume licensing customers with an existing Software Assurance (SA) contracts were able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 on August 19 via the Volume License Service Center.
• Volume licensing customers without an SA were able to purchase Windows Server 2008 R2 through volume licensing by September 1.

Additionally, qualifying students have been able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard edition in 15 languages from the Microsoft Imagine program (known as DreamSpark at the time).{{cite web|title=Windows Server 2008 R2 on DreamSpark|url=https://www.dreamspark.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductId=17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718172152/https://www.dreamspark.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductId=17|archive-date=July 18, 2011|publisher=Microsoft}}

{{See also|Features new to Windows 7}}

A reviewer guide published by the company describes several areas of improvement in R2.{{cite web|date=November 2008|title=Windows Server 2008 R2 Reviewers Guide|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/3/6E3E4529-27E3-48EC-B7E7-1A93242D3AE1/Windows_Server_2008_R2_Reviewers_Guide_(BETA).doc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205111942/http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/3/6E3E4529-27E3-48EC-B7E7-1A93242D3AE1/Windows_Server_2008_R2_Reviewers_Guide_(BETA).doc|archive-date=February 5, 2009|access-date=2009-08-31|publisher=Microsoft}} These include new virtualization capabilities (Live Migration, Cluster Shared Volumes using Failover Clustering and Hyper-V), reduced power consumption, a new set of management tools and new Active Directory capabilities such as a "recycle bin" for deleted objects. IIS 7.5 has been added to this release which also includes updated FTP server services. Security enhancements include encrypted clientless authenticated VPN services through DirectAccess for clients using Windows 7, and the addition of DNSSEC support for DNS Server Service. Even though DNSSEC as such is supported, only one signature algorithm is available:{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee649277(WS.10).aspx |title=Understanding DNSSEC in Windows |publisher=Technet.microsoft.com |date=2009-10-07 |access-date=2011-06-15}} #5/RSA/SHA-1. Since many zones use a different algorithm – including the root zone – this means that in reality Windows still can't serve as a recursive resolver.

The DHCP server supports a large number of enhancements{{cite web|title=New features in DHCP for Windows Server 2008 R2/Windows 7|url=http://blogs.technet.com/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/26/new-features-in-dhcp-for-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-7.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301005843/http://blogs.technet.com/teamdhcp/archive/2009/02/26/new-features-in-dhcp-for-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-7.aspx|archive-date=March 1, 2009|access-date=2011-06-15|publisher=Blogs.technet.com}} such as MAC address-based control filtering, converting active leases into reservations or link layer based filters, DHCppP Name protection for non-Windows machines to prevent name squatting, better performance through aggressive lease database caching, DHCP activity logging, auto-population of certain network interface fields, a wizard for split-scope configuration, DHCP Server role migration using WSMT, support for DHCPv6 Option 15 (User Class) and Option 32 (Information Refresh Time). The DHCP server runs in the context of the Network Service account which has fewer privileges to reduce potential damage if compromised.

Windows Server 2008 R2 supports up to 64 physical processors{{cite web|title=Windows Server 2008 R2: Scalability for the Enterprise Customer|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/scalability-ent.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213085345/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/scalability-ent.aspx|archive-date=February 13, 2008|access-date=2011-06-15|publisher=Microsoft.com}} or up to 256 logical processors per system. (Only the Datacenter and Itanium editions can take advantage of the capability of 64 physical processors. Enterprise, the next-highest edition after those two, can only use 8.){{cite web|date=November 2008|title=Windows7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 support more than 64 Processors in one System|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/Sysinternals/MoreThan64proc.mspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217130115/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/Sysinternals/MoreThan64proc.mspx|archive-date=December 17, 2008|access-date=2009-03-06|publisher=Microsoft}} When deployed in a file server role, new File Classification Infrastructure services allow files to be stored on designated servers in the enterprise based on business naming conventions, relevance to business processes and overall corporate policies.{{cite web|title=R2: How Would You Manage Without It?|url=http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/04/30/r2-how-would-you-manage-without-it.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508071537/http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/04/30/r2-how-would-you-manage-without-it.aspx|archive-date=May 8, 2009|access-date=2009-04-30|publisher=MSDN Blogs}}

Server Core includes a subset of the .NET Framework, so that some applications (including ASP.NET web sites and Windows PowerShell 2.0) can be used.

Performance improvement was a major area of focus for this release; Microsoft has stated that work was done to decrease boot time, improve the efficiency of I/O operations while using less processing power, and generally improve the speed of storage devices, especially iSCSI.

Active Directory has several new features when raising the forest and domain functional levels{{cite web

|url = https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771132(WS.10).aspx

|title = Appendix of Functional Level Features

|publisher = Microsoft Technet

|access-date = 2009-10-06

}} to Windows Server 2008 R2: Two added features are Authentication Mechanism Assurance and Automatic SPN Management. When raising the forest functional level, the Active Directory recycle bin feature is available and can be enabled using the Active Directory Module for PowerShell.{{cite web|title=Server 2008 R2: Active Directory Functional Levels|url=http://praetorianprefect.com/archives/2009/10/server-2008-r2-active-directory-functional-levels/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012120923/http://praetorianprefect.com/archives/2009/10/server-2008-r2-active-directory-functional-levels/|archive-date=October 12, 2009|access-date=2009-10-06|publisher=Praetorian Prefect}}

Support for the RTM version of Windows Server 2008 R2 ended on April 9, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/02/14/windows-7-rtm-end-of-support-is-right-around-the-corner.aspx |title=Windows 7 RTM End Of Support Is Right Around The Corner |work=Springboard Series Blog |publisher=Microsoft |date=February 14, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2013 |first=Stephen L |last=Rose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502231039/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/02/14/windows-7-rtm-end-of-support-is-right-around-the-corner.aspx |archive-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead}} Users had to install Service Pack 1 to continue receiving updates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-users-move-to-sp1-to-continue-receiving-microsoft-support/|title=Windows 7 users: Move to SP1 to continue receiving Microsoft support|website=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=February 14, 2013}}

On January 13, 2015, Windows Server 2008 R2 exited mainstream support and entered the extended support phase; Microsoft continued to provide security updates every month for Windows Server 2008 R2, however, free technical support, warranty claims, and design changes were no longer offered. Extended support ended on January 14, 2020, about ten years after the release of Windows Server 2008 R2.{{cite web |url=https://sandstormit.com/windows-server-2008-r2-end-of-life-support-is-near/ |title=Windows Server 2008 R2 End-of-Life Support is Near |date=June 24, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019}}

In August 2019, researchers reported that "all modern versions of Microsoft Windows" may be at risk for "critical" system compromise due to design flaws of hardware device drivers from multiple providers.{{cite news |last=Winder |first=Davey |title=Critical Windows 10 Warning: Millions Of Users At Risk |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/08/11/critical-windows-10-warning-confirmed-millions-of-users-are-at-risk/ |date=August 11, 2019 |work=Forbes |access-date=August 11, 2019}}

Microsoft announced that Server 2008 R2 would be the last version of Windows supporting the Itanium architecture, with extended support to end on July 10, 2018.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsserver/2010/04/02/windows-server-2008-r2-to-phase-out-itanium/ |title=Windows Server 2008 R2 to Phase Out Itanium |quote=Why the change? The natural evolution of the x86 64-bit ("x64") architecture has led to the creation of processors and servers which deliver the scalability and reliability needed for today's "mission-critical" workloads. |work=Windows Server Blog|date=2 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2516742/computer-hardware/microsoft-ending-support-for-itanium.html |title=Microsoft ending support for Itanium |date=4 April 2010 |quote=SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010 are also the last versions to support Itanium. |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130161735/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2516742/computer-hardware/microsoft-ending-support-for-itanium.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://rcpmag.com/articles/2010/04/05/microsoft-dropping-itanium-support.aspx|title=Microsoft Dropping Itanium Support – Redmond Channel Partner|website=Redmond Channel Partner|language=en|access-date=2018-05-14}} However, monthly security updates continued until January 14, 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Itanium|title=Microsoft Update Catalog (search=Itanium)|access-date=2023-03-20}} and a final unscheduled update appeared in May 2020 via WSUS.{{cite web|url=http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/secu/2020/05/windows6.1-kb4552965-ia64_7ea42e1e566aafbcccad674e8f8c7e99bf5e9d9e.msu|title=Itanium KB4552965 direct link|access-date=2023-03-20}}

Windows Server 2008 R2 was eligible for the paid ESU (Extended Security Updates) program. This program allowed volume license customers to purchase, in yearly installments, security updates for the operating system until January 10, 2023, only for Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter volume licensed editions. The program was included with Microsoft Azure purchases, and offered Azure customers an additional year of support, until January 9, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crn.com.au/news/microsoft-starts-selling-extended-support-for-windows-server-2008-520013|title = Microsoft starts selling extended support for Windows Server 2008|last=Sharwood|publisher=nextmedia|first=Simon|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024}}

Prior to the ESU program becoming available, Windows Server 2008 R2 was eligible for the now discontinued, paid Premium Assurance program (an add-on to Microsoft Software Assurance) available to volume license customers. Microsoft will, however, honor the program for customers who purchased it between March 2017 and July 2018 (while it was available). The program provides an extra six years of security update support, until January 13, 2026.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-offer-option-of-16-years-of-windows-server-sql-server-support-through-new-premium/|title=Microsoft to offer option of 16 years of Windows Server, SQL Server support through new Premium Assurance offer|last=Foley|first=Mary Jo|website=ZDNet|publisher=Red Ventures|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=May 11, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://rcpmag.com/Articles/2018/07/13/Microsoft-Replacing-Premiere-Assurance.aspx|title=Microsoft Replacing 'Premiere Assurance' Support with New Security Plan|last=Mackie|first=Kurt|website=Redmond Channel Partner|publisher=1105 Media|date=July 13, 2018|access-date=May 11, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.licensingschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SQL_Server_and_Windows_Server_Premium_Assurance_Datasheet-December-2016.pdf|title=Windows Server Premium Assurance SQL Server Premium Assurance|website=Licensing School|access-date=May 11, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Update Catalog 2024-06 |url=https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=2024-06%20windows%20server%202008%20R2 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=catalog.update.microsoft.com}} This will mark the final end of all security updates for the Windows NT 6.1 product line after 16 years, 5 months, and 22 days.

Paid extended updates are not available for Itanium customers.{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Update Catalog 2022-01 |url=https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=2022-01%20windows%20server%202008%20R2 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=catalog.update.microsoft.com}}

On February 9, 2011, Microsoft officially released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 to OEM partners. Apart from bug fixes, it introduces two new major functions, RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. RemoteFX enables the use of graphics hardware support for 3D graphics in a Hyper-V based VM. Dynamic Memory makes it possible for a VM to only allocate as much physical RAM as is needed temporarily for its execution. On February 16, SP1 became available for MSDN and TechNet subscribers as well as volume licensing customers. As of February 22, SP1 is generally available for download via the Microsoft Download Center and available on Windows Update.{{cite web|title=Announcing Availability of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/02/09/announcing-availability-of-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211075852/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/02/09/announcing-availability-of-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1.aspx|archive-date=February 11, 2011}}

System requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2 are as follows:{{cite web|title=Windows Server 2008 R2: System Requirements|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/system-requirements.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209202504/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/system-requirements.aspx|archive-date=February 9, 2008|access-date=2011-06-15|publisher=Microsoft.com}}

;Processor

:1.4 GHz x86-64 or Itanium 2 processor

;Memory

:Minimum: 512 MB RAM (may limit performance and some features)

:Recommended: 2 GB RAM

:Maximum: 8 GB RAM (Foundation), 32 GB RAM (Standard), or 2 TB RAM (Enterprise, Datacenter and Itanium)

;Display

:Super VGA (800×600) or higher

;Disk Space Requirements

:Minimum (editions higher than Foundation): 32 GB or more

:Minimum (Foundation edition) 10 GB or more.

:Computers with more than 16 GB of RAM require more disk space for paging and dump files.

;Other

:DVD drive, keyboard and mouse, Internet access (required for updates and online activation)

• BlueKeep (security vulnerability)
• Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions
• Comparison of operating systems
• History of Microsoft Windows
• List of operating systems
• Microsoft Servers

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101209041608/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb310558 Windows Server 2008 R2] on Microsoft TechNet
• {{cite web|url=http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-server-2008-r2-preview|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410201846/http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-server-2008-r2-preview|archive-date=April 10, 2011|website=Supersite for Windows|publisher=Penton|title=Windows Server 2008 R2 Preview|first=Paul|last=Thurrott|date=6 October 2010}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090812060437/http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/ Convert Windows Server 2008 R2 to Workstation]

{{Microsoft Windows family}}

Category:2009 software

Category:X86-64 operating systems

2008 R2

Server 2008 R2

es:Windows Server 2008#Windows Server 2008 R2

ms:Windows Server 2008#Windows Server 2008 R2

sv:Windows Server 2008#Windows Server 2008 R2