Microsoft has announced the generall availability (GA) of Windows Server 2025, the latest version of its server operating system, starting Friday, November 1st.
Windows Server 2025 is available through two primary release channels: the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) with Windows Server 2025 and the Annual Channel (AC) linked to Windows Server, version 23H2.
Initially based on the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition it includes a lot of functionallity of this edition.
In January 2024, the company released the first Windows Server 2025 build for admins enrolled in the Windows Insider program.
Of course, you can evaluate this new Windows Server:
Review Windows Server 2025 release notes and system requirements.
Windows Server 2025 will reach the end of support on October 10th, 2029, and the extended support end date five years later, on October 10th, 2034.
New features
Some key improvements include:
- Performance: Faster and easier networking and storage; live hotpatching for reduced downtime; GPU partitioning for inferencing at the edge. Improvements in flash-based storage make Windows Server an even better platform for SQL Server.
- Hybrid: Adapt quickly across hybrid, cloud and edge. Easier to connect to Azure Arc to bridge on-premises and cloud-based servers. Deliver Azure capabilities to your on-premises servers.
- Security: Hardware and software-level security to deter cyberattacks; next-generation Active Directory that improves security and scalability. Enable a tailored security baseline and configure drift protection from the start.
- Modern, future-ready platform: Windows Server 2025 is now easier to upgrade and scale, with better-than-ever app compatibility. Windows Server 2025 desktop brings consistent client and server UI experience, plus conveniences like WiFi and Bluetooth.
For a complete list, see what’s new in Windows Server 2025.
Windows Upgrade
You can perform an in-place upgrade in one of two ways: from source media or Windows Update. Microsoft offers an optional in-place upgrade capability through Windows Update, known as a feature update. The feature update is available to Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 devices.
With Windows Server 2025, you can upgrade up to four versions at a time. You can upgrade directly to Windows Server 2025 from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later.
