--- title: In Loving Memory - Windows Server 2003 description: Windows Server 2003 (12) of Redmond, WA left us peacefully on July 14, 2015. As you may recall, Windows Server 2003 greeted the world on April 24, 2003. It created a lot of excitement for then IT professionals, replacing previous server versions – and adding support for 64-bit systems. Windows Server 2003 also brought up a whole generation of Windows System Administrators in a post-dotcom era. Windows Server 2003 was the main workhorse on numerous servers in both small and big data centers. Not without its drawbacks, it served millions of users reliably and faithfully. Windows Server 2003 is survived by Windows Server 2008/R2, Windows Server 2012/R2 and Windows Azure. Windows Server 2003 will continue to be in our memory for all the long nights of server rollouts and configuration bashes, Active Directory and DNS configurations, and re-configurations. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/loving-memory-windows-server-2003/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # In Loving Memory - Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 (12) of Redmond, WA left us peacefully on July 14, 2015. As you may recall, Windows Server 2003 greeted the world on April 24, 2003. It created a lot of excitement for then IT professionals, replacing previous server versions – and adding support for 64-bit systems. Windows Server 2003 also brought up a whole generation of Windows System Administrators in a post-dotcom era. Windows Server 2003 was the main workhorse on numerous servers in both small and big data centers. Not without its drawbacks, it served millions of users reliably and faithfully. Windows Server 2003 is survived by Windows Server 2008/R2, Windows Server 2012/R2 and Windows Azure. Windows Server 2003 will continue to be in our memory for all the long nights of server rollouts and configuration bashes, Active Directory and DNS configurations, and re-configurations. [Try Now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cloud/trial/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 2 min read Last updated 20 November 2022 April 24, 2003 – July 14, 2015 Windows Server 2003 (12) of Redmond, WA left us peacefully on July 14, 2015. As you may recall, Windows Server 2003 greeted the world on April 24, 2003. It created a lot of excitement for then IT professionals, replacing previous server versions – and adding support for 64-bit systems. Windows Server 2003 also brought up a whole generation of Windows System Administrators in a post-dotcom era. Windows Server 2003 was the main workhorse on numerous servers in both small and big data centers. Not without its drawbacks, it served millions of users reliably and faithfully. Windows Server 2003 is survived by Windows Server 2008/R2, Windows Server 2012/R2 and Windows Azure. Windows Server 2003 will continue to be in our memory for all the long nights of server rollouts and configuration bashes, Active Directory and DNS configurations, and re-configurations. IT professionals everywhere will be holding migration services, and can follow these simple steps to ensure smooth and easy transition from Windows Server 2003: 1. Preserve the memories by backing up the entire Windows Server 2003 server using [Acronis Backup Advanced](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup-advanced/) 2. Convert the backup to Virtual Machine for future reference 3. Provision the new Windows OS using [Acronis Snap Deploy](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/enterprise-solutions/image-deployment/) 4. Migrate the data according to Application Vendor guidelines For more information and details on how safely migrate from Windows Server 2003, check out the [Migration Best Practices and Tips](http://promo.acronis.com/Acronis-WP-WS2003-to-WS2012-Migration.html). [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-backup-cloud-part-flexiant-cloud-orchestrator-platform/) [Acronis Backup Cloud part of Flexiant Cloud Orchestrator Platform](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-backup-cloud-part-flexiant-cloud-orchestrator-platform/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/mac-marketing-pros-5-impactful-tips-better-productivity-and-happier-people-0/) [Mac Marketing Pros – 5 Impactful Tips for Better Productivity and Happier People](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/mac-marketing-pros-5-impactful-tips-better-productivity-and-happier-people-0/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read