Windows Server 2025

Basic Information

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 is the latest Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release of Microsoft's server operating system.

• Model: Windows Server 2025
• Version: LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel)
• Release Date: November 1, 2024
• Minimum Requirements: Refer to the Technical Requirements section for detailed specifications.
• Supported Operating Systems (as guest OS): Certified on VMware vSphere 7.0 U3, 8.0, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2, and 8.0 U3.
• Latest Stable Version: Windows Server 2025 (LTSC)
• End of Mainstream Support Date: October 10, 2029
• End of Extended Support Date: October 10, 2034
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: Aligned with the end of mainstream and extended support dates.
• License Type: Core-based licensing model, available as perpetual license and subscription.
• Deployment Model: On-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.

Technical Requirements

Windows Server 2025 maintains similar core requirements to its predecessor, with specific enhancements for modern hardware and security features.

• Processor: 64-bit processor, 1.4 GHz or faster, compatible with x64 instruction set. Must support NX, DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, PrefetchW, SSE4.2 instruction set with POPCNT instruction, and SLAT (Second Level Address Translation).
  • Supported Intel CPUs include second through fifth-gen Xeon SP, Xeon D series, Xeon E-series, and Xeon 6 series. Also includes specific Pentium G7400 and G7400T models.
  • Supported AMD CPUs include EPYC 7002, 7003, 4004, 8004, 9004, and 9005 series (Zen 2 to Zen 5).
• RAM:
  • 512 MB for Server Core installation.
  • 2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience installation (4 GB recommended).
  • ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory is recommended for physical hosts.
  • For virtual machines, 800 MB or more is recommended.
• Storage:
  • Minimum 32 GB free space for the system partition (64 GB or more suggested for smooth operation).
  • Requires a PCI Express standard-based storage controller.
  • Additional space is needed if using over 16GB RAM for OS features like hibernation.
• Display: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher resolution (required for certain features, particularly Desktop Experience).
• Ports: USB ports for peripherals, Ethernet ports for network connectivity.
• Network: Ethernet adapter with at least 1 Gbit/s throughput, PCI Express standard-based. Supports 802.11 wireless adapters.
• Operating System (Host for Virtualization): VMware vSphere 7.0 U3, 8.0, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2, and 8.0 U3 are certified.
• Other: UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware supporting secure boot. Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) is required for features like BitLocker Encryption. Keyboard and mouse are standard peripherals.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Windows Server 2025's technical requirements are largely consistent with recent server operating systems, emphasizing 64-bit architecture and modern processor capabilities like SSE4.2 and POPCNT. The increased RAM recommendation for Desktop Experience and virtual machines reflects the growing demands of server workloads. The mandatory TPM 2.0 and UEFI with Secure Boot highlight a strong focus on hardware-level security. The emphasis on PCI Express for storage and networking ensures high-speed I/O, critical for performance-intensive server roles.

Support & Compatibility

Windows Server 2025 is a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, offering extended support for stability and predictability.

• Latest Version: Windows Server 2025 (LTSC).
• OS Support:
  • Can be installed as a bare-metal OS or as a guest OS in virtualized environments.
  • Certified to run as a guest operating system on VMware vSphere 7.0 U3, 8.0, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2, and 8.0 U3.
  • Supports in-place upgrades from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later versions.
• End of Mainstream Support Date: October 10, 2029.
• End of Extended Support Date: October 10, 2034.
• Localization: Supports multiple languages, with specific language packs available.
• Available Drivers: Includes native support for VMware Paravirtual SCSI (PVSCSI) disk controller and VMXNET3 network adapter drivers, simplifying VM deployment.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Windows Server 2025, as an LTSC release, provides a robust and stable platform with a long support lifecycle, making it suitable for critical enterprise workloads. Its certification on leading virtualization platforms like VMware vSphere, coupled with native driver support, ensures broad compatibility and ease of deployment in virtualized environments. The ability to perform in-place upgrades from older versions simplifies migration paths for existing infrastructure. The extended support dates provide organizations with a predictable timeline for planning and maintenance.

Security Status

Windows Server 2025 introduces significant advancements in security, focusing on a multi-layered defense approach.

• Security Features:
  • Credential Guard: Enabled by default on supported hardware, protecting against credential theft.
  • SMB over QUIC: Provides secure connectivity to edge file servers over untrusted networks, now available beyond Azure Editions.
  • Enhanced Active Directory Security:
    • Mandatory LDAP encryption by default for all connections, protecting sensitive directory data.
    • Supports TLS 1.3 for LDAP over TLS connections.
    • Active Directory now uses randomly generated default computer account passwords.
    • New functional levels (DomainLevel 10 and ForestLevel 10) for advanced AD features.
  • Hotpatching (via Azure Arc): Allows application of OS security updates without requiring a restart, minimizing downtime. Currently in preview for Azure Arc-connected machines.
  • Virtualization-based Security (VBS) Enclaves: Helps applications protect secrets and hardens against malicious attackers.
  • Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) Enhancements: Automates unique password generation for local admin accounts, stores them securely in AD, and updates them regularly.
  • SMB Security Improvements: Mandatory SMB signing for all outbound connections, NTLM blocking for outbound connections, and an SMB authentication rate limiter to prevent brute-force attacks.
  • OpenSSH: Server-side component included by default for secure remote management.
  • Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) for Business: Reduces attack surface by enforcing a list of allowed software.
  • OSconfig: Security configuration platform for applying tailored security baselines.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As a newly released product, specific known vulnerabilities are still emerging. However, Microsoft actively addresses security issues through updates.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for an operating system.
• Certifications: Expected to achieve various industry and government security certifications over time, following standard Microsoft practice.
• Encryption Support: Enhanced encryption standards, including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit, and TLS 1.3 support for LDAP. DES support is being removed.
• Authentication Methods: Supports traditional Active Directory authentication, enhanced multi-factor authentication options, and Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSAs) for automated password management.
• General Recommendations: Organizations should apply patches promptly, leverage default security features like Credential Guard, and configure advanced protections such as SMB over QUIC and enhanced AD security. Regular monitoring and adherence to Microsoft's security best practices are crucial.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Windows Server 2025 boasts a strong overall security rating, building upon previous versions with numerous enhancements. The default enablement of critical protections like Credential Guard and mandatory LDAP encryption significantly raises the baseline security posture. Features like Hotpatching, SMB over QUIC, and advanced AD capabilities address modern threat vectors, particularly in hybrid environments. The deprecation of older, less secure protocols like DES further strengthens the platform. This release is designed to be highly resilient against cyberattacks and supports a zero-trust architecture.

Performance & Benchmarks

Windows Server 2025 focuses on delivering enhanced performance and scalability for demanding workloads, including AI and virtualization.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, independent benchmark scores are limited as the product is newly released.
• Real-World Performance Metrics:
  • Storage: Up to 60% more storage IOPS performance than Windows Server 2022 on identical systems, particularly with NVMe storage.
  • Hyper-V Scalability: Supports up to 4 petabytes of memory and 2,048 logical processors per host. Generation 2 VMs support up to 240 TB of memory and 2,048 virtual processors.
  • GPU Partitioning (GPU-P): Allows partitioning of GPUs and assigning them to virtual machines, supporting AI and machine learning workloads with high availability and live migration.
  • Networking: Accelerated Networking (AccelNet) simplifies SR-IOV management for VMs, reducing latency and CPU utilization.
  • DTrace: Native tool for real-time system performance monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Power Consumption: No specific benchmarks for power consumption are available, but hotpatching can reduce reboots, potentially contributing to less downtime and more efficient resource utilization.
• Carbon Footprint: No specific data on carbon footprint is publicly available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Windows Server 2025 builds upon its predecessors (e.g., Windows Server 2022) with significant upgrades in storage efficiency, virtualization capabilities, and AI workload support. It aims to provide a more robust and agile platform compared to previous versions.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Windows Server 2025 is engineered for high performance and scalability, particularly in areas critical for modern data centers and hybrid cloud environments. The substantial improvements in NVMe storage IOPS and Hyper-V scalability directly benefit I/O-intensive applications and large-scale virtualization. The introduction of GPU partitioning is a key enabler for AI and machine learning workloads on server infrastructure. While specific benchmark numbers are still emerging, the architectural enhancements suggest a strong performance profile, making it well-suited for demanding enterprise applications and services.

User Reviews & Feedback

As a recently released operating system (November 1, 2024), comprehensive user reviews and extensive feedback are still in the early stages of accumulation. However, initial feedback from public preview participants and early adopters provides some insights.

• Strengths Highlighted:
  • Stability: Early evaluations suggest it is a robust operating system with few significant issues.
  • Hybrid Capabilities: Positive feedback on seamless Azure Arc integration and hybrid management tools.
  • Security Enhancements: Appreciation for new security features like Credential Guard by default, SMB over QUIC, and improved Active Directory.
  • Hotpatching: Seen as a significant benefit for reducing downtime, especially for Azure Arc-connected servers.
  • Modern UI: The Windows 11-style desktop interface and inclusion of tools like Windows Terminal and WinGet are noted for improving user experience.
• Weaknesses/Issues Noted:
  • Early Bugs: Some preview users reported issues with NVMe/TCP performance and lockups in Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) rebalance speed.
  • Installation Quirks: Non-English speaking users might encounter some English text during installation.
  • iSCSI Boot Error: Users running on iSCSI technology might encounter a "boot device inaccessible" error at startup, with a fix expected in a future update.
  • Feature Removals: The removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine, SMTP server, IIS 6 Management Console, and WordPad has been noted, requiring users to find alternatives.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Organizations prioritizing enhanced security and compliance.
  • Environments leveraging hybrid cloud strategies with Azure Arc.
  • Workloads requiring high performance, scalability, and virtualization capabilities, including AI and machine learning.
  • Enterprises seeking a stable platform with a long support lifecycle.

Summary

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 represents a significant evolution in Microsoft's server operating system, designed to meet the demands of modern enterprise environments. Released on November 1, 2024, as an LTSC version, it promises a long and stable support lifecycle until 2034.

Key Strengths: The asset excels in its robust security posture, with features like Credential Guard enabled by default, mandatory LDAP encryption, SMB over QUIC, and enhanced Active Directory protections. Its hybrid cloud capabilities, particularly seamless integration with Azure Arc and the introduction of hotpatching, offer unprecedented flexibility and reduced downtime for updates. Performance and scalability are significantly boosted through improvements in NVMe storage IOPS, Hyper-V virtualization (supporting massive memory and processor configurations), and GPU partitioning for AI/ML workloads. The inclusion of DTrace and a modernized user interface also enhance manageability and troubleshooting.

Weaknesses: As a new release, comprehensive, long-term user feedback and independent performance benchmarks are still developing. Some minor initial issues, such as specific iSCSI boot errors or non-English installation text, have been noted, though fixes are anticipated. The removal of certain legacy components might require adjustments for some users.

Recommendations: Windows Server 2025 is highly recommended for organizations looking to modernize their infrastructure, enhance security, and embrace hybrid cloud strategies. Its extended support lifecycle makes it a sound investment for long-term stability. Enterprises with demanding virtualization, AI, or high-performance storage needs will particularly benefit from its architectural improvements. It is advisable to plan upgrades carefully, testing compatibility with existing applications and hardware, and leveraging the new security and management features to their full potential.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.