Microsoft releases Windows Server 2025
The first details of the new server were revealed at the beginning of the year, and now Microsoft has released it: Windows Server 2025 is here.
(Image: Bild erstellt mit KI in Bing Designer durch heise online / dmk)
At the beginning of the year, the first information about pre-release versions of Windows Server 2025 leaked out. Now it is available: On the first of November this year, Microsoft announced its general availability.
The previous announcement was made in the Windows Release Health Center, and Microsoft will no doubt also announce the new server on other channels in the near future. The developers write there: "Windows Servers 2025 is now generally available" – Windows Server 2025 is generally available. It is an LTSC version, which means that Microsoft plans to provide long-term support for Server 2025, with mainstream support ending in October 2029 and extended support ending in October 2034, as the Redmond-based company writes in the release notes.
Windows Server 2025 with interesting new functions
Microsoft is delivering interesting functions with Windows Server 2025 that were not yet available on-premise. For example, the server is capable of so-called hot patching: updates can be applied during operation and do not require the systems to be restarted. It has already been possible to test this in the preview version of Server 2025 since the end of September. Microsoft advertised the function as a way for admins to spend more weekends with their families. However, this is not a permanent status. Instead of twelve annual restarts on patchdays, it can be used to bridge three months. A system reboot is still necessary once a quarter.
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An OpenSSH server that can be activated with a mouse click is also on board. Shares via SMB should be more robust and secure. Hyper-V has also been expanded. The Active Directory is to be better protected with new security functions.
At the launch, the developers have already noted a few known problems with Windows Server 2025 in the Windows Release Health Notes: During the installation process, some texts may still appear in English. On systems with many CPU cores – Microsoft speaks of 256 logical cores –, the system may react unexpectedly. For example, it may abort or stop responding during the installation or upgrade process, display blue screens when starting or restarting or take a very long time to start, around three hours or even longer. In iSCSI environments, the "boot device may also be inaccessible", i.e. it may not be possible to boot from it due to access problems.
IT administrators will receive Windows Server 2025 via the usual channels. The German website still refers to the preview version, but the ISO images and VHD files are available on the evaluation page for Windows Server 2025.
(dmk)
