Windows Server 2025 Preview Build 26304 brings new installation experiences for this OS

Microsoft has announced the latest Windows Server 2025 Preview Build 26304. This is a new build of the upcoming Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Preview, which brings both the Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for Windows Server 2025 Datacenter and Standard editions, along with the Windows Server 2025 Annual Channel preview for Container Host and Azure Edition.

The new 26304 build includes updated branding for Windows Server 2025. Windows Server Insiders signed up for Server Flighting should receive this build automatically.

Windows Defender Application Control for Business (WDAC) is a new feature that adds a software-based security layer to reduce the attack surface by enforcing an explicit list of software allowed to run. For Windows Server 2025, Microsoft has provided a ‘default policy’ that can be applied to the server via PowerShell cmdlets.

Also new is the Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline Preview, which provides over 350 preconfigured Windows security settings to apply and enforce granular security settings that support best practices recommended by Microsoft and industry standards. This continues the security improvements the Redmond-based tech giant started, a version earlier when it made VMs the safest they’ve ever been.

The security baseline content is organized into three categories based on server role: Domain Controller (DC), Member Server, and Workgroup Member. It’s important to note that you should only preview the security baseline on test systems, as not all configurations can be reversed.

In addition, the new Feedback Hub app is now available for Windows Server Desktop users. The app should automatically update with the latest version, but if it does not, simply check for updates in the app’s settings tab.

As always, this build has a number of known issues, and the full list is available on the Windows Server Insider Preview blog post.

If you have yet to do so, you can download the new build now from the Windows Server Insider Preview page.