Article ID: 80683
Article Type: Technical Reference
Last Modified:
When Commvault deprecates a feature or platform, it means that we are no longer actively supporting it. This means that we will no longer test our software against Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 for the CommServe, Web Server, Web Server Container, Workflow Engine, Command Center, and Metrics Server platforms. Although existing installations should continue to function, we will not provide bug fixes or patches specifically for those versions of Windows Server. In this instance, releases of Commvault Platform Release 2024 (released December 15, 2023) and above will no longer allow you to update if you have the CommServe, Web Server, Web Server Container, Workflow Engine, Command Center, or Metrics Server installed on the deprecated Windows server versions.
There are a few reasons why Commvault made the decision to deprecate support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 for the aforementioned platforms. They are as follows:
If you are currently using Windows Server 2012 or Window Server 2012 R2 as the operating system for the CommServe, Web Server, Web Server Container, Workflow Engine, Command Center, or Metrics Server, Commvault recommends that you upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server as soon as possible. Upgrading will ensure that you continue to receive support and bug fixes from both Commvault and Microsoft. If you continue to use Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 for the CommServe, Web Server, Web Server Container, Workflow Engine, Command Center, or Metrics Server after December 15, 2023, you may experience issues that we are unable to resolve. Additionally, from Commvault Platform Release 2024 onward, the software will not allow you to upgrade if you are running the CommServe, Web Server, Web Server Container, Workflow Engine, Command Center, or Metrics Server on the deprecated Windows Server versions. You also will take advantage of newer Windows Server version features for better performance, scale, and security.
You can follow Microsoft recommendations for upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server. In some cases, a hardware refresh or reinstall of the Commvault software may be required on a new install of Windows Server if upgrading is not possible. For the CommServe console, the process is fully outlined in the following documentation page: CommServe Hardware Refresh Overview.
If your Web Server is installed on a machine other than the CommServe computer, and you need to refresh the operating system, you can either upgrade the operating system or follow the documentation page Web Server Hardware Refresh to move the Web Server to a new server.
Deprecating support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 as an operating system platform for the CommServe and related components is a decision that Commvault made in order to provide the best possible data protection for our customers. We recommend that customers using Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server as soon as possible to ensure that they continue to receive support and bug fixes together with improved performance, scale, and security.