New Image Preview Windows Server 2025 Evaluation Edition
New Image "Preview_Enterprise_Windows-Server_2025_STD_amd64_uefi_latest" is published and ready for testing and evaluation. It contains plan Windows Server 2025 Evaluation Edition. This information relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before it's released. It is provided as is without any warranty.
Information for this prerelease version can be found here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-windows-server-2025 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/get-started-with-windows-server-insiders-preview
The image contains:
- Windows Server 2025 Evaluation Edition - 24H2 - Build 26100.1 English
- Virtio driver package virtio-win-0.1.240
- Cloudbase-Init 1.1.4 (stable version)
Known Limitations
- Product activation must be configured manually
- No updates for operation system are provided
How to Manually Activate the Product
Currently there is no product activation from OTC side for Windows Server 2025. Product activation is only possible directly from Microsoft. Therefor internet connection is mandatory. It must configured via SNAT, Proxy or Elastic IP. Additionally, the preconfigured KMS server has to be removed and activation by running these lines of code:
slmgr /ckms
slmgr /atoHow Configure Windows Updates
Currently there are no updates available form OTC side for Windows Server 2025. Updates can be obtained from Microsoft directly only. Therefor internet connection is mandatory. It has to be configured via SNAT, Proxy or Elastic IP. Additionally. the preconfigured WSUS server must be removed. It can be done by starting "Local Group Policy Editor" (gpedit). Navigate to:
"Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update -> Manage updates offered from Windows Server Update Services
Open setting "Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" and set it to "not configured".