Windows Server 2025 is just Windows 11 for servers?

In one of the latest Microsoft blog posts, it announced the official name of the future release of Windows Server: Windows Server 2025.

Everybody predicted this original name since Microsoft launched the Windows Server version 23H2 on 24 October 2023, or even before that, so that’s not really a surprise for anyone.

However, Microsoft also released some new screenshots and you don’t really need to install it to know that it follows the same graphic details from Windows 11.

In the blog post, Microsoft also outlines some general directions on their investment for the new Windows Server that will probably launch this autumn.

Here are a few areas we’re investing in:

• Windows Server Hotpatching for everyone
• Next Generation Active Directory and SMB
• Mission Critical Data & Storage
• Hyper-V & AI
• And much more…

The aspect that drew our attention is that except for the taskbar copied from Windows 11, the Server Manager app looks almost identical to the one from Windows Server 2022.

Are you brave enough to install Windows Server 2025?

If you take a look at what the system administrators are talking, or if you know anything about server environment, you know that in this area, things are moving very slowly.

Windows Server is largely considered a resource demanding environment and a lot of IT departments, enev from smaller companies are reluctant to change.

From a Fortune Business Insights market share report, we learn that Windows Server was installed on only 22.7% of the servers in the U.S.. The market is dominated by Linux and Unix distributions which are a lot more stable, less demanding and easier to operate.

From those 22.7% of installed Windows OSes, most of them are still Windows Server 2016 and 2019 which are considered safe and stable. So, Microsoft is now building that trust or deliver exceptional services to win over the IT specialists.

What is new on Windows Server 2025?

Windows Server 2025 will borrow the same update and hot patching systems from Windows 11, with short bursts, easy to get and install releases.

So, now, the latest Windows Server Insider Build (v.26040) comes with flighting and downloadable in-place upgrades. That means you no longer need an ISO and a manual upgrade. Moreover, as an admin, you will have the option to install builds automatically through the Windows Update service.

Another important addition is the SMB over QUIC alternative ports option. That will let you change the standard UDP/443 port for SMB to QUIC to any other port.

Microsoft also touts increased security and other interesting features along the way, and we couldn’t help but notice the AI part. That could be the ace to win over the administrator pool to install Windows Server 2025? That’s a question to be answered after the OS’s release.

In the meantime, tell us what you think about Windows Server 2025 in the comments section below.