# Guides

> Practical, sourced guides for UK businesses on Windows Server 2016 end of support, leaving VMware, backups, AWS costs and private AI.

Source: https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides · Last updated 21 October 2026 · WharfCloud

- [Windows Server 2016 end of support: UK options](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/windows-server-2016-end-of-support-uk): Windows Server 2016 support ends on 12 January 2027. What that means, what Extended Security Updates cover, and five realistic options for UK small businesses.
- [Windows Server 2016 ESU: cost and eligibility](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/windows-server-2016-extended-security-updates): Windows Server 2016 ESU through Azure Arc costs $5.21 per core a month for Standard. What it covers, who can buy it, minimum cores and when it is worth it.
- [Upgrade Windows Server 2016 to 2025 in place](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/upgrade-windows-server-2016-to-2025): Yes, Windows Server 2016 can upgrade in place straight to 2025. Supported paths, blockers, the licence you need, and when a clean rebuild is safer.
- [SQL Server 2016 end of support: what to do now](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/sql-server-2016-end-of-support): SQL Server 2016 support ended on 14 July 2026. What it means for Sage 200, Opera 3 and other apps, the ESU dates, and upgrade paths to SQL Server 2025.
- [Cyber Essentials and unsupported software](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/cyber-essentials-unsupported-software): What Cyber Essentials v3.3 says about unsupported software and 14-day patching, how it hits Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2016, and your options.
- [Leaving VMware after Broadcom: a practical guide](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/leaving-vmware-after-broadcom): What changed in VMware licensing after Broadcom, how to tell if leaving saves money, and the realistic VMware alternatives for a UK business with a few hosts.
- [Proxmox vs Hyper-V after leaving VMware](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/proxmox-vs-hyper-v-after-vmware): Proxmox VE or Hyper-V for a small UK estate leaving VMware: licence costs, Windows licensing, ESXi import, backup and the skills each one needs.
- [A backup checklist for UK small businesses](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/uk-small-business-backup-checklist): Twelve NCSC-based checks that show whether your business could recover from ransomware, a dead server or a deleted folder. Most take under an hour.
- [Sage 50 remote access: three options compared](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/sage-50-remote-access-options): Sage 50 remote access compared: Remote Data Access, remote desktop or VPN to the office, and a hosted server. What Sage supports and how to choose.
- [How to read and cut your AWS bill safely](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/how-to-read-and-cut-your-aws-bill): How to read AWS Cost Explorer and Cost and Usage Reports, the charges that surprise small firms (EC2-Other, NAT Gateway, public IPv4) and safe ways to cut them.
- [Private AI and UK GDPR: a checklist for firms](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/guides/private-ai-uk-gdpr): What to check before running an open-weight AI model on client or staff data: lawful basis, DPIAs, processors, transfers, model licences and security.

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