SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 End of Support coming soon, what to do?!

In July, Microsoft will end support for SQL Server 2008, which meaning no more updates and no more support, but perhaps more problems on the security and compliance fronts for organizations that don't migrate to newer options.

Microsoft gave you Three options only as I listed below:-

1. Migrate to Azure with free security updates : Which it will help to secure your workloads for three more years after the end of support deadline. You can rehost these workloads to Azure with no application code change. Using Azure Hybrid Benefit allow you reduce the cost by 50% minimum, moreover you can use reserved instance for three years which it will also reduce the cost by 30% minimum! So The only cost you would incur would be compute and infrastructure
2. Upgrade on-premises SQL/Windows Servers to a newer version :Upgrading to a newer version of Windows Server and SQL Server. Here, you get the most updated features and a sought-after security landscape. Visit Upgrade Center
   
3. Extended security updates: For This option, you must have a Software Assurance or Enterprise Subscription agreement, for a period of three years of these extended security updates
   

You have to pay again to Microsoft to Extended Security Updates annually (Total Cost = NUMBER_OF_YEARS * CURRENT_LICENSE_PRICE_FOR_LATEST_SQL/WINSERVER * 0.75)

Finally, if you have an application which is not supporting a newer version of SQL server you will have Three options

1. Nothing, in this case you have to take care of your servers
   
2. If you have SA or EA subscription you can extend the Security updates
3. Migrate SQL server to Azure (DBaaS, Lift and shift migration or to use Azure SQL Database Managed Instance). Read Windows Server Migration Guide, SQL Migration Guide