Microsoft releases first preview of Windows Server 2025

Microsoft has released the first preview of Windows Server 2025. Preview Build 26040 brings several innovations and improvements, including Windows Server Flighting. This allows administrators to automatically receive and install preview builds.

Microsoft writes that with Preview Build 26040, users will be given the choice of how they want to upgrade to future preview builds: manually via setup as before or automatically via Windows Update. Preview Build 26040 is available to Windows Insiders.

In addition, Microsoft reports that SMB over QUIC is now possible via a network port other than UDP/443. The tech giant also says that there will be expanded support for Bluetooth devices such as mice, keyboards and headphones within the desktop experience. In addition, WiFi support is enabled by default.

There are also some known issues with the preview build. For example, the Flighting update is wrongly labeled as Windows 11. Microsoft states that despite the naming, this is a preview of Windows Server 2025. Furthermore, the Feedback Hub app would not function properly.