New Windows 11 Validation OS 2601 Adds WinRE Offline Management Support & More

The updated Validation OS 2601 is now available, corresponding to ISOs with the prefix “26100.7705.260126-1049.” This update introduces several new features and optional packages aimed at improving system recovery, remote access, and printing workflows for IT professionals and testers. At a time when enterprise environments demand efficient validation tools, these enhancements could streamline daily operations significantly.

New features and system enhancements

Validation OS 2601 also integrates support for the System Event Notification Service (SENS) through the existing COM package and adds the Security Support Provider Interface (Secur32) directly into the base image.

These updates strengthen the platform’s monitoring and security capabilities, allowing for smoother validation of Windows deployments. Administrators can now leverage the new optional packages, Microsoft-WinVOS-RETools, Microsoft-WinVOS-RAS, and Microsoft-WinVOS-Printing, to enable targeted functionality depending on testing needs.

That being said, Microsoft has added that there are a few known issues. Including Serial Console (SAC) support on some arm64 systems may cause instability or prevent the machine from booting. This is mitigated by requiring explicit inclusion of the feature during image customization, but administrators are advised to proceed cautiously when building arm64 images.

Deprecation and Future Updates

Microsoft has further added that the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) is being phased out across Windows 11, and Validation OS will follow suit. Once WMIC is fully removed from Windows, the component will no longer be available in future Validation OS releases.

via: Neowin