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Tag Archives: WindowsServerInsider


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Install Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build 26360

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Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build 26360

Exploring the Latest Features in Microsoft Windows Server Insider Preview Builds

Microsoft’s Windows Server Insider Preview Builds are a treasure trove of innovation and advanced features designed to enhance performance, security, and flexibility for IT professionals. Today, we’re diving into the latest updates and new features introduced in the Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build.
Here you find more on What’s New in Microsoft Windows Server 2025 🚀

Here are some Highlights of new Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview features:

  1. Enhanced Security with Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSA)

One of the standout features in this build is the introduction of Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSA). This new account type allows for migration from traditional service accounts to machine accounts with managed and fully randomized keys. By linking authentication to the device identity, dMSA helps prevent credential harvesting through compromised accounts, a common issue with traditional service accounts.

  1. Windows Admin Center (WAC) Integration

Starting with this build, users can now download and install the Windows Admin Center (WAC) directly from the Windows Server Desktop. This in-OS app simplifies the installation process and provides a seamless experience for managing your server infrastructure.

  1. Bluetooth Connectivity

Windows Server 2025 now supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to connect mice, keyboards, headsets, and other peripherals directly to the server. This feature enhances flexibility and convenience for server management.

  1. DTrace for Real-Time Performance Monitoring

The new build includes DTrace, a powerful command-line utility that enables real-time performance monitoring and troubleshooting. DTrace allows users to dynamically instrument both kernel and user-space code without modifying the code itself, supporting a range of data collection and analysis techniques.

  1. Improved Upgrade Experience

Upgrading to Windows Server 2025 has never been easier. The build supports in-place upgrades from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later versions, allowing you to upgrade up to four versions at a time. This streamlined upgrade process ensures a smooth transition to the latest server version.

  1. Feedback Hub for User Input

The new Feedback Hub app is now available for Server Desktop users. This app allows users to submit feedback or report issues directly to Microsoft, helping the development team understand user experiences and improve future builds.

  1. SMB over QUIC and Alternative Ports

The build introduces SMB over QUIC with support for alternative ports. This feature enhances security and performance by allowing SMB traffic to use custom-defined ports instead of the default UDP/443 port.

  1. Enhanced Desktop Experience

When you sign in for the first time, the desktop shell experience now conforms to the style and appearance of Windows 11. This visual update provides a familiar and modern interface for server administrators.

These new features and enhancements in the Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for IT professionals. Whether you’re looking to improve security, streamline management, or enhance performance, the latest Windows Server Insider Preview Build has something to offer.

Stay tuned for more updates and features as Microsoft continues to innovate and improve its server offerings.

Conclusion:

Become a Microsoft Windows Server Insider and get all the newest features first to play with it in your test environment.


Get started here and register for free


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#Microsoft Windows Server Summit 2024 #Winserv #Hyperv #HybridIT

Don’t miss this Awesome Microsoft Windows Server Summit 2024 virtual event to get the latest and Greatest information powered by the Engineering team!

When: March 26-28, 2024. Mark your Calendar 😉

Topic wise: it will be wide ranging covering all the new goodness of Windows Server 2025, on-prem and Hybrid scenarios, Azure Arc, Identity, Virtualization, SMB updates and more! 
Here you can find more information: Windows Server Summit 2024

Get started Today with Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build in your test environment!


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Updating my MVPLAB with Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build 26040

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Insider Preview Build 26040

Microsoft released a new Windows Server Insider preview Build 26040 on January 26th and changed Windows Server vNext name into Microsoft Windows Server 2025!

So time to update my MVPLAB domain stack.local.

I’m updating my domain controller from build 26010 to 26040.

Before we can move further, we have to run adprep.

Run adprep from the new ISO on the Domain controller.
by Typing C and enter it will run.

Schema upgrade from 90 to 91

adprep /domainprep.

Adprep successfully updated.

After this click on refresh in the Windows Server Setup if you have this still open.

 

I want to keep my files, settings and apps on my domain controller.
Click on Install

Installing Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build 26040

Don’t turn off your machine. 😉

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Insider Preview Build 26040
is running as my Domain Controller.

Don’t forget the last updates.

Running Schema object version 91.

Here you can find more information about Windows Server 2025 Insider Preview Build 26040

Follow Jeff Woolsey on X (Twitter) here

Follow Ned Pyle on X (Twitter) here

Get started by joining Windows Server Insider program

Make your Windows Servers Hybrid with Microsoft Azure Arc
for more Hybrid IT management Benefits


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Whats New in Windows Server vNext #WindowsServerInsider #Winserv #Hyperv


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Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25967 with Azure Arc in Taskbar

You can Download Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25967 here

New in Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25967 is Microsoft Azure Arc in your taskbar system tray Icon.

Currently, Azure Arc allows you to manage the following resource types hosted outside of Azure:

  • Servers: Manage Windows and Linux physical servers and virtual machines hosted outside of Azure.
  • Kubernetes clusters: Attach and configure Kubernetes clusters running anywhere, with multiple supported distributions.
  • Azure data services: Run Azure data services on-premises, at the edge, and in public clouds using Kubernetes and the infrastructure of your choice. SQL Managed Instance and PostgreSQL (preview) services are currently available.
  • SQL Server: Extend Azure services to SQL Server instances hosted outside of Azure.
  • Virtual machines (preview): Provision, resize, delete and manage virtual machines based on VMware vSphere or Azure Stack HCI and enable VM self-service through role-based access.

Here you find the Azure Arc system tray icon.

Here you can see the Microsoft Azure Arc Status
and
You can connect to the Azure Arc enabled virtual machine in the Cloud.

Azure Arc enabled virtual machine in the Cloud.

Windows Admin Center via Azure Arc enabled Server.

Azure Arc Management in Server Manager!

Here you find more information about Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25967 on Microsoft Tech Community.

JOIN Microsoft Azure Arc Hybrid Community on LinkedIn


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Windows Server after 30 Years running all over the World #Winserv #WindowsServer #AzureHybrid

 

Yesterday Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 had his 30 years anniversary on July 27, 2023.
At that Time I was working for a Computer Broker as an IT technician, working with IBM mainframes like
System 36 and AS/400 with PC connections and going from OS/2 to Microsoft Windows NT.
The biggest change was Microsoft Windows NT 4 Server and Windows NT 4 Workstation making small networks and
Enterprise Datacenters here in the Netherlands. Doing early Beta programs with Windows Server 2000 and Windows 2003 Server instead of Windows NT 4 in production. In the Netherlands we made one of the first Microsoft Windows 2008 R2
Hyper-V Clusters in the Datacenter with Blade Server Technology to virtualize almost every physical Server.
Doing Upgrades to Windows Server 2012 R2 and making the first connection with Microsoft Azure with a System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2012 R2 and Azure Vault. At this time lot of companies are doing migrations from Windows
Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022. Or they are innovating to the Microsoft Azure Cloud.
Microsoft Azure Stack HCI Clusters is a New way to work Hybrid with Azure Cloud technology.

As a Microsoft MVP for Cloud and Datacenter Management and Windows Insider MVP, I work every day with Windows Servers
in Datacenters and now also in the Microsoft Azure Cloud. What I really like is the Microsoft Windows Server Insider Program
Here you can test the Newest Microsoft Windows Server Insider Preview Builds from the Windows Server product group and give your opinions / ideas and Feedback on the new features in Windows Server but also in Windows.
You can build your own Test Lab like I did in Microsoft Azure with Virtual Machines:

Windows Server 2022 Insider Preview Datacenter Azure Edition Build 25379

Here you see my Azure Virtual Machine with Windows Server 2022 Insider Preview Build Azure Edition.
More information about Microsoft Windows Server Azure Edition is here

Today it’s a Hybrid Cloud World to get the benefits of Microsoft Azure Cloud together with your on-premises DataCenters.
You can connect your Windows Servers with Microsoft Azure Arc agent for central Cloud Management features, Security with
Azure Defender for Cloud, Azure Monitor and Log Analytics. Here you find all the Microsoft Azure Arc Service docs.

I’m really curious about the future of Microsoft Windows Server in a world where you have Azure Open AI

Microsoft Technology is going fast, but I really liked the 30 years I worked with Microsoft Windows Server and the
Product Groups also with the Windows Insider Program Team 🙂

Going for the Next 30 years of Microsoft Windows, Server, Clusters, and Containers

 


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Microsoft Windows Server Insider Preview Builds #Winserv #WindowsServer #WIMVP #AzureHybrid

Windows Server Insider Preview Downloads

With Microsoft Prerelease Software like Windows Server Insider Preview Builds, you can experience and test the new features in your Test environment before it’s GA and in your production datacenter(s). First you have to register for the Windows Server Insider program here

Then you can download the Windows Server Insider Preview Build.

I’m updating my mvplab.local domain.

With this you can Build your own test environment and experience the new features in Windows Server Insider Preview Builds.
The Microsoft Windows Server Insider Team is also on Microsoft Tech Community.

  • Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel Preview in ISO format in 18 languages, and in VHDX format in English only.
  • Windows Server Datacenter Azure Edition Preview in ISO and VHDX format, English only.
  • Microsoft Server Languages and Optional Features Preview

Keys: Keys are valid for preview builds only

  • Server Standard: MFY9F-XBN2F-TYFMP-CCV49-RMYVH
  • Datacenter: 2KNJJ-33Y9H-2GXGX-KMQWH-G6H67
  • Azure Edition does not accept a key

Expiration: This Windows Server Preview will expire September 15, 2023.

Installing Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25314

For the Microsoft Product Group it’s important to give your feedback when you have ideas or experience some issues with these Windows Server Insider Preview Builds. Here you find more information about the Feedback Hub.

With this you can build great Hybrid Solutions with Windows Server Insider Preview Build Clusters which is connected with
Microsoft Azure Arc Services for Azure Hybrid IT Solutions. In this way you can test new experiences before you go into production and learn a lot of what you can do! Here you can read more about Azure Arc enabled Servers

My Domain Controller is Up-to-date with the Newest Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25314 for now 😉

Here you find Microsoft Comparison of Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter: Azure Edition editions of Windows Server 2022

Conclusion

With Windows Server Insider Preview Build you can make your own environment, with your own domain, Clusters, Hybrid Servers or build your environment for Containers. You can experience and test for example Windows Server Insider Preview Azure edition with
Hot Patching feature on. Start today with Microsoft Windows Server Insider Preview Builds and Share your feedback with Microsoft.


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Thank you #Community and #Microsoft for this Awesome Year 2022! Happy Holidays

What a Year 2022!!

I like to thank you Community for Supporting, Sharing and Reading New Microsoft technologies on my Blog, Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn Community Groups 💗 I wish you all happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 2023 may the Best Wishes comes true ! 🎄🥂

I’m very proud and Honored  on the Microsoft Global MVP Awards 2022-2023 !

  • MVP Award for Cloud and Datacenter Management
  • MVP Award for Windows Insiders
  • MVP Award for Azure Hybrid

Thank you Microsoft Product Groups, MVP Award Program, Windows Insider Team, Azure Hybrid Team, Windows Server and Azure Stack HCI Team for all your support, NDA PGI sessions, and for the Awesome software, Features, solutions you are building 🙂
Wish you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 2023 may the Best Wishes comes true ! 🎄🥂

Here are some Great links for Reading and Sharing :

JOIN these LinkedIn Community Groups for free and Share New Microsoft Technologies Together:

Windows Admin Center Community Group

Containers in the Cloud Community Group

Microsoft Azure Monitor & Security for Hybrid IT Community Group

Azure Hybrid Community Group

Azure DevOps Community Group

What I really love is the Microsoft Tech Community platform

For Microsoft Azure Hybrid:

Azure Arc Jumpstart site

Azure Hybrid and Multi Cloud documentation

Microsoft Azure Arc Community monthly Meetup (GitHub)

Follow on Twitter for Azure Hybrid:

@ThomasMaurer
@rcTibi
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
For Windows Insiders:

Microsoft Windows Insiders Blog

Windows Insider Team on YouTube

The Windows Insider Program Team is really active on Twitter:
@WindowsInsider

@JenMsft

@NorthFaceHiker

@brandonleblanc

@amanda_lango

Get started with the Windows Server Insider program

What’s New in Windows Server 2022

Overview of Windows Admin Center

What’s New in SQL Server 2022


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#MVPLABSerie Azure Hybrid with Arc Enabled Windows Servers on-premises #AzureHybrid #Winserv

Microsoft Azure Hybrid with Arc enabled Servers

the last MVPLABSerie blogposts was about Windows Servers Insider with mvplab.local domain and SQL Clustering on-premises :

Today every company wants to benefit from Cloud to achieve more for the business. Microsoft made Azure Arc to simplify governance and management by delivering a consistent multi-cloud and on-premises management platform.

Microsoft Azure Hybrid

In the following steps we are going to onboard the Windows Insider Servers and Windows 11 Insider Beta Virtual Machine which are running in mvplab.local domain into the Microsoft Azure Cloud. We will install the Azure Connected Machine Agent via a PowerShell Script in the next steps :

Login in the Azure Portal

1. Search for azure arc
2. Click on Azure Arc.

Getting Started with Azure Arc

Click on Servers and then Click on Add.

Here you can Choose for the right script.
I choose for Add Multiple Servers with a Service Principle.
Click on Generate Script.

Read the prerequisites access to port 443.
view Outbound URLs link.
Click Next

Select the right Azure Subscription and Resource Group.
Select your Azure Region.
Select Operating System
Select the Connectivity method.
Click on Next

If you don’t have a Azure Service principal, you can create one here.

Click on Create Service principal.

Create your Service Principal

Copy your Client ID and Client Secret !
You need this later.

Select the just created Service Principal.

Here you can Tag the Arc Servers.
Here you can read more about Tagging
Click on Next

Choose the Deployment method :
Basic Script or Configuration Manager ( I choose for Basic)
Download the Script

I have copied the script to my Domain Controller On-premises here.

Open with PowerShell ISE the OnboardingScript.ps1
and Copy / Paste your
Service Principal Client ID and Secret here in the Script.
Click on save and run the script.

Start PowerShell in Admin modus

Run Script .\OnboardingScript.ps1

Server is connected with Azure 🙂

Here is the Azure Arc Enabled Server, my Domain Controller.

Here I have all the Azure Arc Capabilities available for my Domain Controller.
Azure Hybrid

With the Same Script I added the mvplab.local Windows Insider Servers to Azure
They are all Azure Arc Enabled Servers.

On all Azure Arc enabled Servers is the Azure Connected Machine Agent installed.

Conclusion

In a simple way you can deploy Azure Arc agent on your on-premises Servers to make them Azure Arc Enabled so you can enjoy the Azure Hybrid features from the Cloud. IT management and Security from Azure becomes available for your on-premises Servers.
It’s not only Infrastructure but also Data Services and Application Services what you can use for your Azure Hybrid Solution.
In the next Blogpost we will have a look at the Microsoft Azure Arc Features in my mvplab.local domain.


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MVPLAB Serie Installing SCOM 2022 Web Console for Monitoring #SCOM #MVPLABSerie

Microsoft System Center 2022 Operations Manager Web Console

In the Last Blogpost MVPLAB Serie we installed Microsoft System Center 2022 Operations Manager on a Windows Insider SQL Cluster for testing and monitoring. You can find that blogpost here

Before we install Microsoft System Center 2022 Operations Manager Web Console, you should have a look at the requirements of SCOM 2022 Web Console for the IIS settings and features.
In the following steps we will install SCOM 2022 Web Console

First of all you have to install the IIS Features.
See the Microsoft Docs.

Don’t worry if you missed a setting, Microsoft did make a requirements check in the installation procedure before you can move on with the installation of SCOM 2022 Web Console. You will see later.

Run the setup as Administrator of the SCOM 2022 software ISO.

Select Web Console.
Click on Next.

This is what I mean by forgetting a feature Role.
Install the feature Role.
Verify prerequisites again.
Then Click Next.

All Prerequisites have passed.
Click on Next.

Here you can select your website and activate SSL
More information about Configuring Authentication for the Web Console

Click on Next

Select your Authentication
Click on Next.

Read the Diagnostic and Usage Data
Click on Next

Check if the Installation Summary is good.
Click on Install

Setup is Completed

SCOM 2022 Web Console is running

Now you can configure your Microsoft System Center 2022 Operations Manager monitoring with the right Management Packs installed via your Edge web browser to get monitoring and alerts in place. Here you find more information about SCOM Management Packs

Now we have in our MVPLAB On-premises Datacenter everything running, we will have a look at Microsoft Azure Hybrid benefit in the following MVPLAB Series. Think about Microsoft Azure Arc Services, Security and more.