What you get
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) for SQL Server 2014 Enterprise — per-server, 2nd-year ESU coverage.
- Per-server ESU licensing, for SQL Server instances licensed under the Server + CAL model.
Before you buy
Per Microsoft, SQL Server 2014 reached end of support on July 9, 2024 and ESUs run until July 8, 2027; Microsoft's lifecycle pages show ESU Year 1 ended July 8, 2025 and Year 2 ended July 14, 2026. Check that the ESU year and the coverage dates in this SKU's name match (they may not) and that the coverage period is still current before you buy. Per Microsoft's ESU FAQ, ESUs deliver only security updates rated Critical by the Microsoft Security Response Center — no new features, non-security fixes or general support for the SQL Server version itself — and the server must be on the latest service pack to apply them. Only Enterprise and Standard editions qualify (not Express, Web or Developer). Software Assurance (or subscription licenses) on the covered SQL Server licenses is a prerequisite; customers without it can get ESUs instead through Azure Arc pay-as-you-go or by moving the workload to Azure.
