Microsoft has released a new preview version of Windows Server with both Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for Datacenter and Standard editions. This new build is available for testing on virtual machines and can be downloaded from Microsoft's official website. However, users may experience performance issues when using SMBDirect for live migration of cluster nodes due to network traffic limitations. Users participating in the Windows Server Flighting program will receive the update automatically later today.
Windows Server 2025 LTSC Preview Build 26501 released
Microsoft has just put out an updated version of its upcoming Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Preview. This new version has both Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for the Datacenter and Standard editions, as well as the annual channel for container hosts and Azure editions. However, these are only available for testing on virtual machines. Even though this preview still has the "Windows Server 2025" name on it, you should always call it the "Windows Server vNext" preview when you report any problems that arise.
People who signed up for Server Flighting should get this new build automatically later today. Windows Server Flighting has officially started with this release. You can find a lot of information about it in the "Welcome to Windows Insider flighting on Windows Server" section of the Microsoft Community Hub.
The Feedback Hub app is now available as an important update for people who chose the Desktop Experience. This should automatically install with the newest version. If an updated version does not show up, users can start the update process by going to the app's settings tab and clicking "Check for updates."
Sadly, there are a few known problems that could make the user experience worse. Specifically, users trying to use SMBDirect for live migration of cluster nodes may experience performance problems that lead to timeouts and failures throughout the stack. This is mostly because network traffic can't go through RDMA between cluster nodes, which means that TCP/IP has to be used instead. This slows things down and could make live migration take up to five times longer than usual.
You can download the Windows Server Insider Preview from Microsoft's official website if you'd like to. Some users may have trouble with the flight label incorrectly referring to Windows 11. However, the error should not stop them from installing their flight. Just ignore the wrong labeling and continue as normal. In a future release, this problem will be fixed.
To find out more, refer to the announcement below:
Announcing Windows Server vNext Preview Build 26501
Hello Windows Server Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new build of the next Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Preview
Announcing Windows Server vNext Preview Build 26501 | Microsoft Community Hub
