Windows Server 2025, Microsoft's latest Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, has introduced several advanced features aimed at enhancing performance, security, and cloud integration. However, users have reported a series of issues affecting system stability and functionality. This article delves into these problems, their potential causes, and the steps administrators can take to mitigate their impact.
Since its release, Windows Server 2025 has been lauded for its next-generation Active Directory, hotpatching capabilities, and support for SMB over QUIC alternative ports. Despite these advancements, several critical issues have emerged, notably affecting systems with high core counts and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions.
Identifying Affected Systems:
To determine if a system is impacted, open the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and navigate to the Performance tab. If the number of logical processors exceeds 256, the system may be susceptible to these issues.
Temporary Workaround:
Until a permanent fix is implemented, administrators can limit the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer by adjusting server settings:
Potential Causes:
The freezing behavior may be linked to how the February security update handles input processing in RDP sessions. It appears the update interferes with the session’s ability to process keyboard and mouse inputs once the remote connection is initiated. The result is a frozen session where inputs do not register. (windowsforum.com)
Resolution:
Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and released updates to address it. Administrators are advised to install the latest updates to resolve the problem. For more details, refer to Microsoft's release health dashboard. (learn.microsoft.com)
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/windoers_server_2025_freezing/%3Ftd=keepreading/
Introduction
Since its release, Windows Server 2025 has been lauded for its next-generation Active Directory, hotpatching capabilities, and support for SMB over QUIC alternative ports. Despite these advancements, several critical issues have emerged, notably affecting systems with high core counts and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions.Installation and Upgrade Issues on High-Core Systems
Administrators managing servers with over 256 logical processors have encountered significant challenges. Symptoms include installation or upgrade failures, prolonged server restarts (sometimes exceeding three hours), and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors during startup or application execution. These issues are not consistently triggered across all affected devices, making diagnosis and resolution more complex.Identifying Affected Systems:
To determine if a system is impacted, open the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and navigate to the Performance tab. If the number of logical processors exceeds 256, the system may be susceptible to these issues.
Temporary Workaround:
Until a permanent fix is implemented, administrators can limit the number of logical processors to 256 or fewer by adjusting server settings:
- Restart the server and enter the UEFI Setup.
- Navigate through the firmware menus to locate the option for adjusting the number of cores per socket.
- Set the number of cores per socket to ensure the total number of logical processors does not exceed 256.
- Restart the server to apply the changes.
RDP Session Freezes Post-February 2025 Update
Following the release of the February 2025 security update (KB5051987), users have reported that RDP sessions freeze shortly after connection. This issue results in unresponsive mouse and keyboard inputs, necessitating frequent disconnections and reconnections.Potential Causes:
The freezing behavior may be linked to how the February security update handles input processing in RDP sessions. It appears the update interferes with the session’s ability to process keyboard and mouse inputs once the remote connection is initiated. The result is a frozen session where inputs do not register. (windowsforum.com)
Resolution:
Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and released updates to address it. Administrators are advised to install the latest updates to resolve the problem. For more details, refer to Microsoft's release health dashboard. (learn.microsoft.com)
Additional Installation Issues
Users have also encountered issues where installation media, such as CDs or USB drives, display English text during installation, regardless of the selected language. This anomaly is observed when using certain media formats and does not affect English-language installations. (itpro.com)Community Feedback and Discussions
The Windows Server 2025 community has been active in discussing these issues. For instance, a thread on WindowsForum.com addresses the RDP freeze issue, detailing causes, impacts, and potential solutions. (windowsforum.com)Conclusion
While Windows Server 2025 offers promising features, the reported issues underscore the importance of thorough testing and cautious deployment, especially in high-performance environments. Administrators should stay informed about updates from Microsoft and consider implementing temporary workarounds where necessary to maintain system stability.Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/windoers_server_2025_freezing/%3Ftd=keepreading/
