Microsoft has recently unveiled the latest version of its official Windows 11 virtual machines, also known as the Windows Development Environment or WDE. These virtual machines, which are typically available prebuilt for various virtualization software, provide users with complimentary access to the newest Windows 11 updates and developer tools.
New Features and Updates
The updated Windows Development Environment 2407 is now based on Windows 11 build 22621.3880, the most recent Patch Tuesday update. This version offers a range of developer tools, including:
- Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition with UWP, .NET Desktop, Azure, and Windows App SDK for C# workloads enabled
- Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 with Ubuntu installed
- Windows Terminal
- Developer mode enabled
Unlike previous updates, the Windows Development Environment 2407 is only available in Hyper-V and VirtualBox formats. Versions for VMware Workstation and Parallels Desktop are currently unavailable due to technical issues. Users can enjoy a 90-day evaluation period with the new virtual machines, with an expiration date set for October 9, 2024.
Activation and Usage
It’s worth noting that users may be prompted to activate the operating system upon the first boot. In such cases, allowing the virtual machine some time to resolve the activation prompt is recommended. However, after October 9, users may experience typical symptoms of an inactivated OS, such as:
- A blacked-out desktop
- Activation notifications
- Hourly shutdowns
For those interested in downloading Microsoft’s official Windows 11 virtual machines, visit the designated website. Before proceeding, ensure you have a minimum of 70GB of free disk space and 8GB of RAM available.