Microsoft has announced some exciting updates that will be included in Windows Server 2025, the upcoming version of the operating system set to be launched later this year. Among these updates are the ability to apply patches without the need for a reboot, improvements in the management (and therefore performance) of NVMe drives, and the option to use Windows Server through a subscription rather than purchasing perpetual licenses.
What’s New in Windows Server 2025
One of the most intriguing announcements is the ability to install security updates without the need to reboot the machine (whether physical or virtual). Microsoft claims that this is made possible by applying patches directly to the code in memory, eliminating the need to restart processes. However, quarterly updates will still require a reboot.
In terms of performance, there are significant enhancements in the management of NVMe drives: Microsoft states that IOPS will increase by 70% compared to Windows Server 2022, with a simultaneous reduction in CPU usage. Microsoft’s next-generation file system, ReFS, also sees optimization in deduplication and compression, resulting in a 60% savings in file server space.
An interesting update is in Hyper-V, where Microsoft boldly declares, «It’s not dead!». The Microsoft hypervisor now allows for GPU partitioning, enabling the sharing of a GPU among multiple virtual machines, similar to how it is done for CPUs. It will also be possible to combine GPUs from multiple physical machines to create a single assignable pool for a single VM.
The transition from Windows Server 2022 to Windows Server 2025 can be done directly through Windows Update, similar to previous versions and akin to the upgrade from Windows 10 to 11.
In addition to the traditional perpetual licensing model, there will be an option for a «pay as you go» subscription model. Microsoft claims that this simplifies scenarios where a license is needed for a short period.
Further information can be found in the official announcement.
