Microsoft has recently unveiled the latest Windows Server build for participants in the Windows Server Insider Program. The new build, numbered 26236, coincides with the release of the Windows 11 Canary Channel build. It is worth noting that all current and upcoming Windows Server Insider builds will now bear the Windows Server 2025 branding.
This latest update appears to be a minor one, with the change log closely resembling that of the previous preview build. The only notable change is the resolution of a known bug that previously caused boot issues for some users when creating secure-boot Gen 2 VMs.
What’s New
Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSA)
A new account type called delegated Managed Service Account (dMSA) has been introduced. This account allows for the migration from a traditional service account to a machine account with managed and fully randomized keys, while disabling the original service account passwords. Authentication for dMSA is tied to the device identity, ensuring that only specified machine identities mapped in AD can access the account. This feature aims to prevent credential harvesting through compromised accounts, a common issue with traditional service accounts.
For those enrolled in Server Flighting, the new build will be automatically delivered later today. Additionally, the Feedback Hub app is now available for Server Desktop users, with automatic updates expected. However, users can manually check for updates in the app’s settings tab if needed.
Known Issues
- [RESOLVED] Secure-boot Gen2 VMs created using ISO media may not boot: Users encountering boot issues when creating secure-boot Gen 2 VMs can resolve the problem by disabling secure-boot. A fix for this issue is planned for a future release.
- Several other known issues are being addressed, including upgrade completion failures, access denied errors when using Diskpart on Winpe.vhdx VMs, and setup issues during “OOBE” setup. Users are advised to avoid this build for upgrades from Windows Server 2019 or 2022 due to intermittent upgrade failures.
For those interested in downloading the new Windows Server preview, it is available on Microsoft’s site. More information can be found in the full blog post here.
