Announcing Windows Server vNext Preview Build 26334
Hello Windows Server Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new build of the next Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Preview that contains both the Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for Datacenter and Standard editions, Annual Channel for Container Host and Azure Edition (for VM evaluation only). Branding remains, Windows Server 2025, in this preview - when reporting issues please refer to Windows Server vNext preview. If you signed up for Server Flighting, you should receive this new build automatically. Please note this will be the last Windows Server Insider Preview until January 2025. We look forward to seeing you in the new year! What's New Windows Defender Application Control for Business (WDAC) Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) for business is a software-based security layer that reduces attack surface by enforcing an explicit list of software that is allowed to run. Introduced with Windows Server 2025, we have provided Microsoft defined ‘default policy’ which can be applied to the server via PowerShell cmdlets, powered by our ‘Security configuration platform called ‘OSconfig’. To learn more, please review Windows Defender Application Control for Business (WDAC) - Microsoft Community Hub Windows Admin Center (WAC) Beginning with build 26252, Windows Server preview customers can download and install Windows Admin Center right from the Windows Server Desktop using the in-OS app that takes care of downloading and guides you through the installation process. Note: You must be running a desktop version of Windows Server Datacenter or Standard preview to access this feature. Windows Server Flighting is here!! If you signed up for Server Flighting, you should receive this new build automatically later today. For more information, see Welcome to Windows Insider flighting on Windows Server - Microsoft Community Hub Feedback Hub app is now available for Server Desktop users! The app should automatically update with the latest version, but if it does not, simply Check for updates in the app’s settings tab. Known Issues Download Windows Server Insider Preview (microsoft.com) Flighting: The label for this flight may incorrectly reference Windows 11. However, when selected, the package installed is the Windows Server update. Please ignore the label and proceed with installing your flight. This issue will be addressed in a future release. Available Downloads Downloads to certain countries may not be available. See Microsoft suspends new sales in Russia - Microsoft On the Issues. 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 Symbols: Available on the public symbol server – see Using the Microsoft Symbol Server. Expiration: This Windows Server Preview will expire September 15, 2025. How to Download Registered Insiders may navigate directly to the Windows Server Insider Preview download page. If you have not yet registered as an Insider, see GETTING STARTED WITH SERVER on the Windows Insiders for Business portal. We value your feedback! The most important part of the release cycle is to hear what's working and what needs to be improved, so your feedback is extremely valued. Beginning with Insider build 26063, please use the new Feedback Hub app for Windows Server if you are running a Desktop version of Server. If you are using a Core edition, or if you are unable to use the Feedback Hub app, you can use your registered Windows 10 or Windows 11 Insider device and use the Feedback Hub application. In the app, choose the Windows Server category and then the appropriate subcategory for your feedback. In the title of the Feedback, please indicate the build number you are providing feedback on as shown below to ensure that your issue is attributed to the right version: [Server #####] Title of my feedback See Give Feedback on Windows Server via Feedback Hub for specifics. The Windows Server Insiders space on the Microsoft Tech Communities supports preview builds of the next version of Windows Server. Use the forum to collaborate, share and learn from experts. For versions that have been released to general availability in market, try the Windows Server for IT Pro forum or contact Support for Business. Diagnostic and Usage Information Microsoft collects this information over the internet to help keep Windows secure and up to date, troubleshoot problems, and make product improvements. Microsoft server operating systems can be configured to turn diagnostic data off, send Required diagnostic data, or send Optional diagnostic data. During previews, Microsoft asks that you change the default setting to Optional to provide the best automatic feedback and help us improve the final product. Administrators can change the level of information collection through Settings. For details, see http://aka.ms/winserverdata. Also see the Microsoft Privacy Statement. Terms of Use This is pre-release software - it is provided for use "as-is" and is not supported in production environments. Users are responsible for installing any updates that may be made available from Windows Update. All pre-release software made available to you via the Windows Server Insider program is governed by the Insider Terms of Use.Announcing App Control for Business (aka WDAC) with OsConfig
Announcing App Control for Business (aka WDAC) with OsConfig Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) for business is a software-based security layer that reduces attack surface by enforcing an explicit list of software that is allowed to run. For Windows Server 2025, we have provided Microsoft defined ‘default policy’ which can be applied to the server via PowerShell cmdlets, powered by our ‘Security configuration platform called ‘OSconfig’. For more detailed information, please refer here. App control feature provides two main operation modes, Audit mode and Enforcement mode. In Audit mode, untrusted code is allowed to run, and events are recorded. In Enforcement mode, untrusted code is blocked, and events are recorded. To learn more about Application Control for Business-related events, see List of Events. As part of WS 2025, we want to make it easier for customers to deploy Application control policies in audit mode and facilitate enforcement mode via local tooling/PowerShell experience. There will be no Application Control policy in audit mode which will be enabled by default in WS 2025. The only way to add Application Control for business is via OSconfig tool. Base policies are integrated in OSconfig (unsigned). Using these policies, users will be able to add supplemental policies to existing base policies (to customize the default base policy. Caution -- Production signed Windows Server 2025 build is needed since the App Control for Business policy doesn't allow flight signing binaries. Prior to general availability, please download the production signed preview by visiting the Microsoft Eval Center to try out the new features and experiences that Windows Server has to offer. 1.1 Application Control for Business – Apply Pre-requisites: You have installed ‘OSconfig Powershell Module’ to configure Application Control for Business. Install the package providers by running the following commands in an elevated PowerShell window: Install-PackageProvider -Name NuGet -Force Install-Module PowerShellGet -AllowClobber -Force Close powershell window. Open a new elevated PowerShell window and run the commands below to install the OSConfig PowerShell module: Install-Module -Name Microsoft.OSConfig -AllowPrerelease -Force 1.2 Application Control for Business – Apply default polices: Next step is to install the default policies in audit mode: Set-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl\WS2025\DefaultPolicy\Audit -Default Set-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl\WS2025\AppBlockList\Audit -Default 1.3 Application Control for Business – Post apply check policies are present in your machine: Run the citool to confirm the policies are in place. Hit enter twice after running the command below: citool -lp | findstr /I "WS2025" You should see ‘policies named’ in the list: BlockUMCI_Microsoft_WS2025_Audit AllowMicrosoft_WS2025_Audit 1.4 Application Control for Business – After applying ensure policies are present in your machine: Run a 3rd party application of your choice, verify that a block event was emitted for the 3rd party app you ran, and no block event was emitted for any 1st party apps you ran. Check in Event Viewer >> Filter Current log >> Filter Audit events 3076 >>Check event for the 3rd party app. 1.5 Application Control for Business – Apply supplemental policies: Reset filter: In the right panel, click on Filter Current Log... and click clear to remove the previously applied filters. In Event Viewer, still under "Applications and Services Logs" -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CodeIntegrity -> Operational, select the Save All Events As... option in the right panel and save the evtx file to the location of your choice. Share the evtx file to a Windows client device. On the Windows client device, install and start the WDAC Wizard. Note: The WDAC wizard installer will download .NET 8.0 if you don't have it already In the WDAC Wizard, select Policy Editor -> Convert Event Log to a WDAC Policy, then click on the Parse Log File(s) button under Parse Event Log evtx Files to Policy. Select the evtx file and click Next. Click on +Add Allow for all items you want to add to the policy, then Next. The WDAC Wizard will share the location of the XML file on the next page. Copy the XML file to your server device. On the server device, run the following commands: $policyPath = "<path to the XML file>" # Reset GUID (best practice) Set-CIPolicyIdInfo -FilePath $policyPath -ResetPolicyID # Set Policy Version (VersionEx in the XML file) $policyVersion = "1.0.0.1" Set-CIPolicyVersion -FilePath $policyPath -Version $policyVersion # Set Policy Info (PolicyName, PolicyID in the XML file) Set-CIPolicyIdInfo -FilePath $policyPath -PolicyID "<App name>-Policy_$policyVersion" -PolicyName "<App name>-Policy" # E.g. Set-CIPolicyIdInfo -FilePath $policyPath -PolicyID "Chrome-Policy_$policyVersion" -PolicyName "Chrome-Policy" $base = "{9214D8EE-9B0F-4972-9073-A04E917D7989}" Set-CIPolicyIdInfo -FilePath $policyPath -SupplementsBasePolicyID $base #Set the new policy into the system Set-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl -Name Policies -Value $policyPath Go through step 2 again. This time, there shouldn't be any new audit events for the application you ran. 1.6 Application Control for Business – Query the list of active and non-active policies 1. Run the following command to see the current policies in effect: (Get-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl).Value.PolicyInfo | Where-Object { $_.IsEffective -eq $true } 2. Run the following command to see the policies that are not active: (Get-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl).Value.PolicyInfo | Where-Object { $_.IsEffective -eq $false } 1.7 Application Control for Business – Remove the policies via OSConfig 1. Remove the Application control policies by running the commands below: Remove-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl\WS2025\DefaultPolicy\Audit Remove-OSConfigDesiredConfiguration -Scenario AppControl\WS2025\AppBlockList\Audit 2. Verify that the policies are no longer effective. Hit enter twice after running the command below. You should NOT see the following: Friendly Name: BlockUMCI_Microsoft_WS2025_Audit Friendly Name: AllowMicrosoft_WS2025_Audit Warning: We recommend using OSconfig to remove the policies otherwise the drift control will be in still in effect and it will re-apply. 1.8 Azure Monitor - Application Control for Business We have created a new Azure Monitor workbook to alleviate the burden of reviewing Audit or Block events being emitted by the Operating System when Application Control for Business is activated. This workbook can help you get insights on file audit and block activity, as well as policies activity. Here is a comprehensive list of usages for this workbook: Collect and send to Log analytics workspace Windows Event logs for App Control for business. Identify file and policy events activities, providing various dashboards, charts, filter and export capabilities to help customers analyze and troubleshoot App Control policies effects and status. Refine your App Control for business policies, by exporting the workbook data and ingesting it in WDAC Wizards. For more information, see WDAC Wizard documentation. To start using the Azure Monitor workbook for Application Control for Business (Preview) please go to the GitHub repo in the Azure Monitor here. We value your feedback! Please provide feedback as to what is working and what needs to be improved as your feedback is extremely valued to make the product experience better. Please use Feedback Hub app for Windows Server 2025. Category: Windows Server->Security Configuration Management. You can also reach us via email heseccon@microsoft.com (Edge Security Connect).Announcing Windows Server Preview Build 26296
Announcing Windows Server Preview Build 26296 Hello Windows Server Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new build of the next Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) Preview that contains both the Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for Datacenter and Standard editions, Annual Channel for Container Host and Azure Edition (for VM evaluation only). Branding has been updated for the upcoming release, Windows Server 2025, in this preview - when reporting issues please refer to Windows Server 2025 preview. If you signed up for Server Flighting, you should receive this new build automatically. What's New [NEW] Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline Preview Beginning with build 26296, we are pleased to announce the availability of the Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline Preview. You can enable security right from the start by applying the recommended security posture for your device or VM role through application of a tailored security baseline, with over 350 preconfigured Windows security settings that help you apply and enforce granular security settings that support best practices recommended by Microsoft and Industry standards. We have organized the Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline content into three categories based on server role: Domain Controller (DC) Member Server Workgroup Member Note: You should preview the security baseline only on test systems. While there is a ‘Remove’ command, not all configurations can be reversed. To learn more, please review Announcing Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline Preview - Microsoft Community Hub. Windows Admin Center (WAC) Beginning with build 26252, Windows Server 2025 preview customers can download and install Windows Admin Center right from the Windows Server Desktop using the in-OS app that takes care of downloading and guides you through the installation process. Note: You must be running a desktop version of Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Standard preview to access this feature. Windows Server Flighting is here!! If you signed up for Server Flighting, you should receive this new build automatically later today. For more information, see Welcome to Windows Insider flighting on Windows Server - Microsoft Community Hub The new Feedback Hub app is now available for Server Desktop users! The app should automatically update with the latest version, but if it does not, simply Check for updates in the app’s settings tab. Known Issues Sysprep unable to generalize images. There is a known issue in build 26280.5000 that prevents images from being generalized via sysprep. The issue is understood and will be fixed in a future release. Download Windows Server Insider Preview (microsoft.com) Flighting: The label for this flight may incorrectly reference Windows 11. However, when selected, the package installed is the Windows Server update. Please ignore the label and proceed with installing your flight. This issue will be addressed in a future release. WinPE - Powershell Scripts: Applying the WinPE-Powershell optional component does not properly install Powershell in WinPE. As a result, Powershell cmdlets will fail. Customers who are dependent on Powershell in WinPE should not use this build. If you are validating upgrades from Windows Server 2019 or 2022, we do not recommend that you use this build as intermittent upgrade failures have been identified for this build. This build has an issue where archiving eventlogs with "wevetutil al" command causes the Windows Event Log service to crash, and the archive operation to fail. The service must be restarted by executing "Start-Service EventLog" from an administrative command line prompt. If you have Secure Launch/DRTM code path enabled, we do not recommend that you install this build. Available Downloads Downloads to certain countries may not be available. See Microsoft suspends new sales in Russia - Microsoft On the Issues. 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 Symbols: Available on the public symbol server – see Using the Microsoft Symbol Server. Expiration: This Windows Server Preview will expire September 15, 2025. How to Download Registered Insiders may navigate directly to the Windows Server Insider Preview download page. If you have not yet registered as an Insider, see GETTING STARTED WITH SERVER on the Windows Insiders for Business portal. We value your feedback! The most important part of the release cycle is to hear what's working and what needs to be improved, so your feedback is extremely valued. Beginning with Insider build 26063, please use the new Feedback Hub app for Windows Server if you are running a Desktop version of Server. If you are using a Core edition, or if you are unable to use the Feedback Hub app, you can use your registered Windows 10 or Windows 11 Insider device and use the Feedback Hub application. In the app, choose the Windows Server category and then the appropriate subcategory for your feedback. In the title of the Feedback, please indicate the build number you are providing feedback on as shown below to ensure that your issue is attributed to the right version: [Server #####] Title of my feedback See Give Feedback on Windows Server via Feedback Hub for specifics. The Windows Server Insiders space on the Microsoft Tech Communities supports preview builds of the next version of Windows Server. Use the forum to collaborate, share and learn from experts. For versions that have been released to general availability in market, try the Windows Server for IT Pro forum or contact Support for Business. Diagnostic and Usage Information Microsoft collects this information over the internet to help keep Windows secure and up to date, troubleshoot problems, and make product improvements. Microsoft server operating systems can be configured to turn diagnostic data off, send Required diagnostic data, or send Optional diagnostic data. During previews, Microsoft asks that you change the default setting to Optional to provide the best automatic feedback and help us improve the final product. Administrators can change the level of information collection through Settings. For details, see http://aka.ms/winserverdata. Also see the Microsoft Privacy Statement. Terms of Use This is pre-release software - it is provided for use "as-is" and is not supported in production environments. Users are responsible for installing any updates that may be made available from Windows Update. All pre-release software made available to you via the Windows Server Insider program is governed by the Insider Terms of Use.
