Windows Server 2025

On November 1, 2024, the latest version of Windows Server was released. Windows Server 2025 offers new features, advanced security, and changes in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). This article describes the main features of Windows Server 2025, along with its new functionalities and improvements.

What is Windows Server?

Windows Server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft. This software package allows organizations to run and manage servers. Windows Server is specifically designed for internet and intranet hosting, advanced messaging services, and databases. It is primarily aimed at the IT infrastructures of businesses. Its flexibility and performance make it a powerful tool for managing tasks within an organization. For example, it can function as a mail server or efficiently handle printer server tasks. Additionally, Windows Server enables the combination of various tasks, such as simultaneously managing user accounts, databases, and network access.

Windows Server 2025: New Features

As with every version of Windows Server, Windows Server 2025 introduces a range of new features designed to meet the demands of modern software environments:

• In-place upgrade: Users can now upgrade up to four versions at once. This means that users of Windows Server 2012 R2 or later can directly upgrade to Windows Server 2025. More details about in-place upgrades are available on Microsoft's website.
• DTrace: DTrace is a tool that allows users to monitor their system's performance and troubleshoot issues without modifying the code itself. It can instrument both user-space code and the kernel.
• Bluetooth support: Users can connect devices such as mice, keyboards, headsets, and audio equipment via Bluetooth.
• Feedback Hub: The Feedback Hub allows users to submit feedback about Windows Server 2025 or report any issues they encounter while using the system.
• Email and accounts: Windows Server 2025 supports the addition of multiple account types, including Microsoft accounts, Microsoft Entra IDs, and work and school accounts.
• File compression: Users can now easily compress files in formats like ZIP, 7z, and TAR, with specific compression methods for each format.
• Pinned apps: Frequently used applications can now be pinned for easier access, allowing users to find and open them more quickly.
• Wi-Fi support: The Wireless LAN Service feature is now standard in Windows Server 2025, making it easier to enable wireless capabilities.
• Windows Terminal: This powerful multi-shell application is now included in Windows Server 2025 and can be found by searching for "Terminal."

Windows Server 2025: Security

Windows Server 2025 includes several security enhancements to address growing cyber threats:

• SMB Security: Windows Server 2025 introduces SMB over QUIC, providing users with secure access to their online files and protection against common cyberattacks.
• Active Directory (AD): Active Directory has been updated with additional security layers and improved scalability to counter modern threats like spoofing and brute-force attacks.
• Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSA): dMSAs automate password management for traditional service accounts, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing security.

Windows Server 2025: AI & Machine Learning

The increasing reliance on AI and ML technologies has made scalable and powerful servers essential. Windows Server 2025 includes improvements in storage and virtualization to handle workloads of any size efficiently. Key advancements include:

• Storage performance: Storage IOPS in Windows Server 2025 has improved by 60% compared to Windows Server 2022. It also offers more flexibility with support for Native ReFS deduplication and compression.
• Hyper-V performance and scalability: The maximum memory per virtual machine has been increased to 240 TB, and the number of supported virtual processors has risen significantly to 2,048.
• GPU support and AI workloads: Built-in GPU partitions and advanced AI capabilities provide a robust environment for both AI-based and traditional applications.

Windows Server 2025: Standard vs. Datacenter Editions

Windows Server 2025 is available in two editions: Standard and Datacenter. Below is a comparison of their features:

• Both editions have a maximum RAM capacity of 4 PB for hosts using Level 5 paging and 256 TB for hosts with Level 4 paging.
• Both editions can be used as virtualization guests. However, the Standard edition supports a maximum of 2 virtual machines, while the Datacenter edition supports an unlimited number of virtual machines.
• The Standard edition allows for a maximum of 2 Virtual OSE/Hyper-V isolated containers, whereas the Datacenter edition has no limit.
• Both licenses offer unlimited Windows containers, but the Standard edition has a maximum of 2 Hyper-V containers, while the Datacenter edition allows for an unlimited number.
• For storage replication, the Standard edition supports 1 partnership and 1 resource group with a single 2 TB volume, while the Datacenter edition offers unlimited replication.

Additionally, both licenses require CALs (Client Access Licenses), which are explained later in this article. Microsoft also offers a pay-as-you-go subscription option. Unlike perpetual licenses, this model allows users to pay only for the resources they use. This feature is available through Azure Arc and is billed as part of an Azure subscription.

Windows Server 2025: CALs

To use Windows Server 2025, organizations must purchase CALs. There are two types of CALs:

• User CALs: Provide access to a single user across an unlimited number of devices. This option is ideal for companies with employees who frequently work remotely, as it eliminates the need to purchase multiple licenses for a single user with multiple devices.
• Device CALs: Provide access for an unlimited number of users on a single device. This is suitable for businesses with part-time employees who share devices, reducing the need for individual user licenses.

Windows Server 2025: System Requirements

To run Windows Server 2025, the following minimum system requirements must be met:

Windows Server 2025: End of Life

Microsoft provides standard support for most licenses for approximately five years, and the same applies to Windows Server 2025. Support for this version will last until October 9, 2029. After that, security updates will continue for an additional five years, ending on October 10, 2034.