{
  "id": 8253408,
  "title": "Support ended for SQL Server 2016 – and so did the Microsoft subsidy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/support-ended-for-sql-server-2016-and-so-did-the-microsoft-subsidy",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T13:33:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCentral",
    "slug": "techcentral",
    "url": "https://techcentral.co.za/sql-server-2016-end-of-support-extended-security-updates/286282/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Microsoft has withdrawn the free ESU deal that made deferring SQL Server upgrades affordable, writes Ascent Technology MD Johan Lamberts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}