Microsoft is launching its first preview of Windows Server 2025. Administrators who are keen to experiment can get started.

Microsoft introduces Windows Server Preview Build 26040. This is the first preview of what will soon become Windows Server 2025. The preview includes both the Desktop Experience and Server Core options for the Datacenter and Standard editions. An annual Container Host and Azure Edition channel (for VM evaluation) is also available.

Microsoft highlights the following new features (exclusive to the desktop experience):

• Additions to Settings Accounts: Email and accounts are now consistent with Windows 11.
• Expanded support for Bluetooth devices (such as mice, keyboards and headphones).
• Wi-Fi support is now enabled by default (although you obviously need the right hardware and drivers).
• SMB over QUIC can be done over a port other than 443.

known problems

Since this is a first preview of the server operating system, there are still many known (and probably unknown) issues with the operating system. They start with the label: This update for Insiders is incorrectly labeled Windows 11. Microsoft encourages users to ignore this name: you are actually seeing a preview of Windows Server 2025.

There is also a new feedback hub to troubleshoot issues, but this is also not working properly at the moment. Then there are problems with Powershell in WinPE. As always, a preview is for evaluation and experimentation, not for use in production environments. To get started, you must be an Insider. Insiders will find the necessary download options here.