UK IT & website support · plans from £25/month · £45/hour ad-hoc01623 650333 · Client login
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Server Support for UK Small Businesses

dijitul support looks after small business servers across the UK: Windows Server, Active Directory, file shares, Hyper-V hosts and Synology or QNAP NAS boxes. We fix faults, patch, check backups and plan replacements before support ends. One-off server work is £45 an hour + VAT, and migrations or replacements are quoted.

Updated 2026-10-10 · by the dijitul support team, Mansfield, UK

Sound familiar?

  • Mapped drives show a red cross or ask for a password every morning
  • The server is beeping or a drive light has turned amber
  • Users get 'access denied' on folders they used to open
  • The server has not installed Windows updates in months
  • Logins are slow because the domain controller is struggling
  • The C: drive is almost full and the server keeps freezing
  • Your server runs Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2016 and nobody has a plan

Key facts

  • Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 reached end of extended support on 10 October 2023
  • Windows Server 2016 extended support ends on 12 January 2027
  • Windows Server 2019 extended support ends on 9 January 2029
  • Windows Server 2022 extended support runs to 14 October 2031
  • We support Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, file shares, Hyper-V and NAS devices
  • Most server work is done remotely; hands-on visits are quoted upfront
  • Ad-hoc server fixes are £45 an hour + VAT; migrations and replacements are quoted

What server support covers

Plenty of small offices still run a single server in a cupboard. It usually does three or four jobs at once: it is the domain controller that handles logins, it holds the shared drive, it runs DNS and DHCP for the network, and it may host an accounts or practice management database. When it has a problem, everyone has a problem.

dijitul support works on:

  • Windows Server 2012 R2 through to 2025, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP
  • File shares and NTFS permissions, including tidying up years of 'Everyone: Full Control'
  • Hyper-V hosts and the virtual machines on them
  • NAS devices such as Synology and QNAP, including DSM and QTS updates, shared folder permissions and snapshot settings
  • Remote Desktop Services for staff who log in to a server-based desktop
  • Hardware health on Dell, HP and Lenovo servers through iDRAC, iLO or XClarity, including failed RAID disks and power supply alerts

Windows Server end-of-support dates you need to know

Once a Windows Server version passes its end of extended support, Microsoft stops releasing security updates for it. A server holding your customer data and handling every login is the last machine you want left unpatched.

VersionEnd of extended support
Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R210 October 2023 (already ended)
Windows Server 201612 January 2027
Windows Server 20199 January 2029
Windows Server 202214 October 2031 (mainstream support ends 13 October 2026)
Windows Server 202514 November 2034

If you are on 2016, you have a few months to decide what replaces it. For many small businesses the answer is not another physical server: files move to SharePoint and OneDrive, logins move to Microsoft Entra ID, and laptops are managed through Intune. Others genuinely need an on-site server for a database or large CAD files. Our IT consultancy helps you make that call, and cloud migration covers the move itself.

Common server faults we fix

Disk and storage problems

A RAID array running in a degraded state still works, which is why nobody notices until a second disk fails. We read the controller logs, identify the failed drive by bay number and walk you or a local engineer through the swap, then watch the rebuild. We also clear WinSxS bloat, old update caches and runaway log files when C: fills up.

Login and permission problems

Slow logins often trace back to DNS: workstations pointing at a router or a public DNS server instead of the domain controller. Folder access issues usually come from broken inheritance or users added directly to folders instead of to security groups. We fix the cause rather than adding another exception.

Updates and certificates

We check Windows Update history, clear stuck cumulative updates, and renew expired certificates that break RDS gateways, VPNs and internal websites.

Keeping a server healthy between faults

Most server emergencies are visible weeks in advance in the event logs, the RAID controller or the backup report. We set up monthly patching with a known reboot window, alerts for disk health and free space, and a check that last night's backup actually finished. If your data matters, read our data backup and recovery page: a backup that has never been test-restored is a hope, not a plan.

Businesses that want ongoing help for their whole team usually choose the Complete plan at £99 a month + VAT, which includes IT and Microsoft 365 helpdesk support and 3 hours of work each month. See support plans for what each plan includes.

How we work and what it costs

We connect remotely with your permission, look at the server's logs and configuration, and tell you what we found in plain English before changing anything that carries risk. One-off fixes are £45 an hour + VAT, with a 30-minute minimum and then 15-minute blocks. Server replacements, migrations to Windows Server 2025 or to Microsoft 365, and anything needing an on-site visit are quoted upfront so you know the cost first.

If your server is down right now, get in touch by phone on 01623 650333. If you want a planned replacement, ask for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to keep running Windows Server 2012 R2?

No. Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 stopped receiving security updates on 10 October 2023 unless you paid for Extended Security Updates. Any newly found vulnerability stays open. dijitul can help you move file shares and logins to a supported server or to Microsoft 365, quoted upfront.

When does Windows Server 2016 support end?

Microsoft ends extended support for Windows Server 2016 on 12 January 2027. After that date there are no more free security updates. If you run 2016, now is the time to plan an upgrade or a move to the cloud so the change is not rushed.

Do small businesses still need a server?

Many do not. Microsoft 365 can replace the shared drive with SharePoint, handle logins through Entra ID and manage laptops through Intune. You may still need a local server for a desktop database, very large design files or software that cannot run in the cloud. dijitul will tell you honestly which applies.

Can you support a Synology or QNAP NAS?

Yes. dijitul supports Synology and QNAP NAS devices, including firmware updates, shared folder permissions, snapshots, user accounts and backup jobs to the cloud or to USB. We also check that the NAS is not exposed to the internet, which is a common route for ransomware.

How much does server support cost?

Ad-hoc server work is £45 an hour + VAT, with a 30-minute minimum and then 15-minute blocks. Server replacements, migrations and on-site work are quoted. Ongoing helpdesk support for your team comes with the Complete plan at £99 a month + VAT.

Can you fix a server remotely?

Most server problems can be fixed remotely, including permissions, updates, Active Directory issues, certificates and backup failures. If hardware needs swapping, such as a failed RAID disk, we tell you upfront and either guide someone on site or quote for a visit.

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