Microsoft Defender for Identity
Identity protectionPrerequisites Sensor Version 2
In brief
The prerequisites page now explains that sensors continue reporting to Defender for Identity and receiving updates after Windows Server 2016 extended support ends, although some functionality may be affected.
What Defender admins need to know
Plan server upgrades and consider the documented post-support limitations.
Summaries are generated from the documentation change itself.
Documentation change
View on Microsoft LearnThe comparison below shows only the changed extract. Use the full-page view for complete context.
Legacy operating systems
Plan to upgrade servers running Windows Server 2016, which is approaching extended end of support. After extended support ends, sensors on Windows Server 2016 continue to report to Defender for Identity and receive sensor updates. However, some functionality that relies on operating system capabilities might not be available.
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 reached extended end of support on October 10, 2023. Sensors running on these operating systems continue to report to Defender for Identity and even receive the sensor updates, but some functionality that relies on operating system capabilities might not be available. We recommend that you upgrade any servers using these operating systems.
Required ports
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ description: Learn the prerequisites for installing the Microsoft Defender for I ms.date: 2026-06-08T00:00:00.0000000Z ms.topic: install-set-up-deploy ms.reviewer: rlitinsky+ai-usage: ai-assisted+ms.custom: msecd-doc-authoring-1015 locale: en-us document_id: a31922aa-4d5a-2498-069b-6be52931a01d document_version_independent_id: a31922aa-4d5a-2498-069b-6be52931a01d@@ -33,12 +35,8 @@ item_type: Content source_path: defender-for-identity/deploy/prerequisites-sensor-version-2.md cmProducts: - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/5711eaa5-435f-4c40-8d89-924ef7945eec-- https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/1dd701e0-441f-4b0a-9806-aa47decc4e35-- https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/b1cfdec6-b0c3-4209-818c-736879856e0e spProducts: - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/8ee4d551-d6c4-4e91-986e-0f1afd52559f-- https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/0a2fc935-5977-4aa6-9f55-0be03bd2acb8-- https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/2d0723c1-cf38-4c30-ab3d-5df787b33270 platformId: c304004a-dc1c-3f16-66c0-517afa2f5e9c --- @@ -121,6 +119,8 @@ For all operating systems:
#### Legacy operating systems
+Plan to upgrade servers running [Windows Server 2016](/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016), which is approaching extended end of support. After extended support ends, sensors on Windows Server 2016 continue to report to Defender for Identity and receive sensor updates. However, some functionality that relies on operating system capabilities might not be available.
+
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 reached extended end of support on October 10, 2023. Sensors running on these operating systems continue to report to Defender for Identity and even receive the sensor updates, but some functionality that relies on operating system capabilities might not be available. We recommend that you upgrade any servers using these operating systems.
### Required ports