Windows Server 2025: Key Features, Editions & Upgrade Guide

Microsoft has officially unveiled Windows Server 2025, marking the latest iteration in its line of server operating systems. This release brings a suite of substantial updates and modifications aimed at enhancing the administrative experience, fortifying security measures, and expanding scalability. As organizations increasingly rely on robust and flexible server solutions, Windows Server 2025 stands out with its array of new features and strategic deprecations designed to align with modern IT infrastructures.

Editions and Upgrade Paths​

Windows Server 2025 is available in three distinct editions tailored to meet diverse organizational needs:

• Standard Edition: Ideal for businesses with lightly virtualized or non-virtualized environments.
• Datacenter Edition: Designed for highly virtualized datacenters and cloud environments.
• Datacenter:Azure Edition: Optimized for seamless integration with Microsoft Azure, facilitating hybrid cloud scenarios.

Rebranded from its previous designation as Windows Server vNext in January 2025, Windows Server 2025 continues the legacy of its predecessor, Windows Server 2022. For organizations running on Windows Server 2022, upgrading to the 2025 version is straightforward. Moreover, Microsoft has ensured backward compatibility by allowing upgrades from versions as far back as Windows Server 2012 R2, thereby providing a flexible migration path for enterprises operating on older infrastructures.

New Features and Enhancements​

Windows Server 2025 introduces a range of new features and enhancements aimed at improving performance, security, and scalability. Key among these are advancements in Active Directory Domain Services, networking, Server Message Block (SMB) security, and virtualization technologies.

Active Directory Domain Services​

One of the standout enhancements in Windows Server 2025 is the significant update to Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). The database page size has been increased to 32k from the previous 8k used by the Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) database introduced in Windows 2000. This expansion alleviates several scalability constraints, enabling AD DS to handle larger and more complex directory services environments with improved efficiency.

Networking Updates​

Networking capabilities have been bolstered with notable updates to Software Defined Networking (SDN). These alterations are designed to provide greater flexibility and control over network configurations, allowing administrators to more effectively manage network traffic and resources. Enhanced SDN features facilitate the creation of more resilient and adaptable network architectures, which are critical in today's dynamic IT landscapes.

Enhanced Server Message Block (SMB) Security​

Security remains a paramount concern for IT administrators, and Windows Server 2025 addresses this with strengthened SMB security protocols. These enhancements ensure more secure file sharing and communication across networks, mitigating potential vulnerabilities and safeguarding sensitive data against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Virtualization Improvements​

Virtualization continues to be a cornerstone of modern server management, and Windows Server 2025 delivers several improvements in this domain. The latest updates enhance the performance and reliability of virtual machines, providing better resource allocation and management. These enhancements are particularly beneficial for organizations leveraging virtualization to optimize their hardware usage and reduce operational costs.

Deprecations and Removed Features​

In addition to introducing new functionalities, Windows Server 2025 also sees the removal and deprecation of certain features. These changes reflect Microsoft's ongoing efforts to streamline the operating system and phase out outdated or less secure technologies.

Removed Features​

Several familiar tools and services have been deprecated in Windows Server 2025:

• WordPad: Microsoft recommends transitioning to more robust alternatives like Word or Notepad for text editing needs.
• SMTP Service: The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service has been discontinued, urging administrators to adopt more secure and feature-rich email solutions.
• IIS 6 Management Console: The Internet Information Services (IIS) 6 management console has been deprecated, encouraging the use of newer management tools with enhanced capabilities.
• Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine: The PowerShell 2.0 engine has been removed, necessitating migration to newer versions such as PowerShell 5 or later to continue utilizing scripting and automation functionalities.

Deprecated Technologies​

In addition to removed features, Windows Server 2025 has placed certain technologies on notice or ceased their development:

• NTLM (All Versions): The NT LAN Manager (NTLM) authentication protocol is no longer being developed, pushing organizations towards more secure authentication methods.
• Computer Browser Driver and Service: This legacy service has been deprecated, reflecting the shift towards more modern networking protocols and services.
• VBScript: Once a favorite among administrators for scripting tasks, VBScript is being phased out in favor of more secure and versatile scripting languages.

System Requirements and Compatibility​

Windows Server 2025 maintains a broad hardware compatibility range, ensuring that it can be deployed across various hardware configurations. The primary requirements include:

• Processor: Any 64-bit processor running at a minimum of 1.4 GHz, compatible with the x64 instruction set.
• Instruction Sets: Support for the POPCNT (Population Count) and SSE4.2 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2) instruction sets is mandatory.
• Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM): These security features are required only for certain functionalities within the operating system.

This flexibility allows organizations to implement Windows Server 2025 on existing hardware infrastructures, provided they meet the basic compatibility criteria. However, it is essential for administrators to verify their hardware's compatibility, especially regarding the required instruction sets, to ensure a smooth deployment experience.

Known Issues​

As with any major software release, Windows Server 2025 is accompanied by a series of known issues that administrators should be aware of:

• Localization Glitches: Some non-English installations may display English text during the installation process, which, while minor, could cause confusion for users operating in different languages.
• iSCSI Environments: A critical issue has been identified where a "boot device inaccessible" error may occur in certain iSCSI (Internet Small Computer Systems Interface) environments, potentially hindering the server's ability to access boot devices.
• High-Processor Counts: Servers equipped with 256 or more logical processors may encounter performance-related issues, although this is unlikely to impact most organizations.

While these issues present potential challenges, they are generally manageable with proper planning and testing. Administrators are advised to conduct thorough evaluations and testing in controlled environments before rolling out Windows Server 2025 into production settings.

Support Lifecycle​

Understanding the support lifecycle is crucial for organizations planning their IT infrastructure strategy. Here's how the support timeline looks for Windows Server 2025:

• Mainstream Support: Up until October 9, 2029. This phase includes full support with feature updates, security patches, and complimentary support.
• Extended Support: Continues until October 10, 2034. During this period, Microsoft provides security updates and paid support options.

For organizations currently using Windows Server 2022, mainstream support remains available until October 13, 2026, providing a significant overlap period. This overlap allows for a gradual transition and ample time for migration planning.

Implications for Administrators and Organizations​

The release of Windows Server 2025 presents both opportunities and challenges for IT administrators and organizations:

• Enhanced Scalability and Performance: The improvements in Active Directory and virtualization can lead to more efficient and scalable IT environments, accommodating growth and evolving business needs.
• Security Enhancements: Strengthened SMB security and the deprecation of outdated protocols like NTLM contribute to a more secure server infrastructure, reducing the risk of cyber threats.
• Migration Considerations: The removal of legacy tools and services necessitates careful planning for migration to newer technologies, ensuring continuity and minimizing disruptions.
• Hardware Compatibility: Broad hardware support simplifies deployment, but administrators must validate that existing hardware meets the necessary specifications, particularly regarding instruction sets.

Given these factors, administrators are likely to adopt a cautious approach, thoroughly testing and evaluating the new release before integrating it into mission-critical production workloads. The strategic enhancements, combined with the phased deprecation of older technologies, underscore Microsoft's commitment to evolving its server offerings in line with contemporary IT demands.

Conclusion​

Windows Server 2025 signifies a pivotal advancement in Microsoft's server operating system lineup, offering a blend of enhanced features, improved security, and greater scalability. While the deprecation of certain legacy services and tools may require adjustments, the overall direction aligns with modern IT infrastructure needs and best practices. As organizations navigate the complexities of digital transformation, Windows Server 2025 stands as a robust foundation, enabling them to build resilient, efficient, and secure server environments poised for future challenges.
Administrators and IT decision-makers are encouraged to explore the new capabilities of Windows Server 2025, assess their organizational needs, and plan accordingly to leverage the full potential of this latest server operating system.

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Source: The Register Big update for admins as Windows Server 2025 lands