Windows Server 2025 is now generally available

[Cat_Jam148]

What's new in Windows Server 2025 | Microsoft Learn

 

Windows Server release information | Microsoft Learn

[supportman]

Brilliant I've been testing the insider releases and its a great upgrade. New faster updates and Hyper-V improvements are lovely.

 

We've got a new server with SSD M2 drives and its absolutely blazing fast with windows 2025 server.

 

 

EDIT: Just found the new keys on Volume Licensing as well. Nice!

Edited November 4, 2024 by supportman

[jthompson]

I've almost finished upgrading everything to 2022.

[3s-gtech]

'I must get around to updating everything to 2022'

 

Gah!

 

My 2016 ones really do need doing, aside from Exchange which is locked in.

[supportman]

My 2016 ones really do need doing, aside from Exchange which is locked in.

 

Why on earth are you running an exchange server in 2024....? 😂

[3s-gtech]

We use it for SMTP still, and the granular control of things like AD attributes. It should go next year when it goes EoL.

[synaesthesia]

I haven't used this suggestion for a while, but seeing an exchange server in the wild, there is only one solution.

 

FDISK!

[3s-gtech]

it's not my fault I'm backwards.

 

At least it's not CC4.

 

More relevantly, is the UI more 11 like or 10?

[Cat_Jam148]

More relevantly, is the UI more 11 like or 10?

 

It's based on Windows 11 24H2

 

or whatever the current LTSC version is

Edited November 4, 2024 by Cat_Jam148

[DrCheese]

We use it for SMTP still, and the granular control of things like AD attributes. It should go next year when it goes EoL.

 

The good thing is they're replacing Exchange 2019 with "vNext" which will let you upgrade the underlying OS, which you can't do with 2019 currently.

 

(Still have exchange server here simply for the management tools as they say it's the only supported method if using hybrid)

[Tefters]

Sweet!

 

Time to pick my first victim server tomorrow and do an in-place upgrade overnight

[supportman]

More relevantly, is the UI more 11 like or 10?

 

The UI is really nice, I would just say its sensible server navigation without all the bells and whistles of 10 or 11.

[ITGURU]

The good thing is they're replacing Exchange 2019 with "vNext" which will let you upgrade the underlying OS, which you can't do with 2019 currently.

 

(Still have exchange server here simply for the management tools as they say it's the only supported method if using hybrid)

 

exchange Vnext is also going subscription based , rather than server/CAL

[2ilent8cho]

(Still have exchange server here simply for the management tools as they say it's the only supported method if using hybrid)

 

We buy this tool that plugs in to the AD Users and Computers and then got rid of our Onsite Exchange boxes at the schools we support. https://www.easy365manager.com/ .

[ITGURU]

The good thing is they're replacing Exchange 2019 with "vNext" which will let you upgrade the underlying OS, which you can't do with 2019 currently.

 

(Still have exchange server here simply for the management tools as they say it's the only supported method if using hybrid)

 

as long as you are on the latest exchange CU you can now install the management tools on workstation, no longer require the server.

[aac]

I can see the downloads but it only shows a MAC key. Cannot see any KMS keys which is unusual it is usually that you have to contact Microsoft to request a MAC key not the other way around. I want to activate using Active Directory Based Activation...

[jthompson]

I can see the downloads but it only shows a MAC key. Cannot see any KMS keys which is unusual it is usually that you have to contact Microsoft to request a MAC key not the other way around. I want to activate using Active Directory Based Activation...

 

IME it's the other way around: it's the KMS keys that require a phonecall to MS support.

[Tefters]

Urgh i remember the days of constantly having to call MS volume licensing for MAK keys as all they gave were the master KMS activation keys and then you would have to google the client KMS key.

 

Going to go check my licensing now.

 

EDIT:

 

Owww i had all options:

 

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by Tefters

[Olliedawg]

Some of our servers running 2022 are seeing this prompt in the windows update pane. Looks like you will be able to do an inplace upgrade straight from windows update.

 

https://postimg.cc/67ssvgxr

[aac]

Urgh i remember the days of constantly having to call MS volume licensing for MAK keys as all they gave were the master KMS activation keys and then you would have to google the client KMS key.

 

Going to go check my licensing now.

 

EDIT:

 

Owww i had all options:

 

Exactly my experience which is why I was surprised it was the KMS keys missing rather then MAC ones. I called Microsoft in the end and they told me that in order to qualify for KMS keys the rules have changed and you need a minimum of 5 Windows Server licenses in your agreement (we have 3). I used the MAC key in the end...

[Jcx500]

Upgraded my ‘Tools VM’ to it. Great so far

[Tefters]

Owwww that's new, In-place upgrade option through Windows update I like the sound of, might have to give it a go.

[supportman]

Has anyone done an in place for 2019 to 2025 yet?

 

I might give it a go on our print server later.

[jthompson]

Has anyone done an in place for 2019 to 2025 yet?

 

I might give it a go on our print server later.

 

Our [then] 2019 print server ended up with broken print queues after an in-place upgrade to 2022. Never worked out why, but be ready to roll back. Probably printer drivers, let's face it.

[Tefters]

I did my print server from 2019 to 2022 fine with no issues. All mine are 2022 now and will be doing a sneaky upgrade tomorrow during the day but not got any 2019 to upgrade.

 

I have installed it a fresh on a VM today and looked at it for 5 minutes, it looks like Win 11, start menu in middle and the setup screens were slightly changed / modernized.