In November 2024, Windows Server 2025 officially arrived, bringing updates to enhance security, performance, and manageability. 

However, the launch wasn’t without challenges. Unintended upgrades on systems running Windows Server 2019 and 2022 raised concerns, likely caused by the misclassification of KB5044284. This update was incorrectly flagged as mandatory by some third-party patch management tools (not WSUS). 

Microsoft clarified that the upgrade was meant to be optional and emphasized the importance of careful patch management configurations.

With these updates in mind, should your organization upgrade? Let’s explore the key features of Windows Server 2025 and whether it’s the right move for you.

What’s New in Windows Server 2025?

Despite its rocky start, Windows Server 2025 introduces several enhancements that make it worth consideration for organizations:

• Security Enhancements: New features like default machine account password randomization, LDAP encryption by default, and TLS 1.3 support help bolster security. Credential Guard is enabled by default for added protection.
• Active Directory Updates: Windows Server 2025 brings major updates to Active Directory, featuring new forest and domain functional levels, a larger database page size, and enhancements in replication and name resolution. After in-place upgrades, the new features require a demotion and then promotion back to a domain controller.
• Performance Upgrades: Active Directory now supports Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) on compatible hardware, enhancing CPU utilization, along with the addition of new performance counters.
• New Tools: Windows Server 2025 includes Dtrace for real-time debugging, Windows Terminal, WinGet, and OpenSSH for enhanced management and troubleshooting.
• In-Place Upgrades: In-place upgrades are supported from Windows Server 2012 R2 onwards, offering a more reliable upgrade process by allowing a fresh OS installation while migrating essential data.
• Azure Integration: Windows Server 2025 includes built-in Azure Arc support, streamlining management with quick installation and integration.
  
• Storage and Cluster Management: Enhancements include optimizations for NVMe SSD performance, the addition of VBS Keys for securing cryptographic keys, and a new Network ATC feature to automate network configuration in clusters.

Should You Upgrade?

Upgrading to Windows Server 2025 is highly recommended, especially for organizations that rely on Active Directory or file services. With the deprecation of NTLM starting with Windows Server 2025, upgrading ensures your systems remain secure. 

Additionally, key security enhancements like default machine account password randomization, LDAP encryption by default, and TLS 1.3, provide stronger protection against threats.

Even if your current system is functioning well, upgrading to Windows Server 2025 will improve the security, performance, and manageability of your IT infrastructure, making it a smart choice for businesses.

If you have any questions about our solution for importing updates or want to simplify WSUS maintenance, get in touch with us.

At AJ Tek, our vision is to make IT simple and automated for other IT professionals. Our flagship product is WAM, WSUS Automated Maintenance. This system performs all of the tasks that a WSUS Administrator needs to do to maintain WSUS properly only leaving the approving of updates and reporting to the WSUS Administrator.

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