Amidst the KB5044284 Issues, Microsoft Releases Optional Update for Windows Server 2025 on 2022/2019

Launch of Windows Server 2025 and System Center 2025

Last week marked the general availability of Windows Server 2025, accompanied by the release of System Center 2025. Microsoft also issued a comprehensive list of validated processors while confirming that this new version belongs to the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) category.

Unexpected Upgrades for Windows Server 2022

In an unexpected turn of events, system administrators have reported automatic upgrades from Windows Server 2022 to the newly launched Windows Server 2025. This issue has been attributed by some industry observers, including Home security firm Heimdal, to a faulty Windows Update API from Microsoft. This API appears to have wrongly categorized the Windows 11 update KB5044284 as applicable to server systems, resulting in unintended upgrades.

Updates on Windows Server 2025 from Microsoft

On its official Windows Health dashboard, Microsoft has provided status updates concerning Windows Server 2025. Importantly, they have clarified that Windows Server 2025 is currently offered as an optional update for devices running either Windows Server 2022 or Server 2019.

Details on the Optional Update

The push for this optional update may have contributed to the recent upgrade occurrences. While Microsoft has yet to release detailed comments about this issue, the company states:

Current Status as of November 6, 2024

Windows Server 2025 is now generally available, featuring enhanced security measures and new hybrid cloud capabilities within a high-performance, AI-capable framework. This latest LTSC release supports organizations seeking long-term stability.

For those considering an in-place upgrade, Windows Server 2025 is available as an optional update for Windows Server 2022 and Server 2019 devices. It is advisable to utilize specific deployment methods for Windows Server feature updates, as Windows Server 2025 will not install automatically.

How to Upgrade to Windows Server 2025

For detailed guidance on upgrading to Windows Server 2025, including feature updates, clean installations, or migrations, Microsoft has published extensive information that can be accessed here.

For further insights and images on the topic, please refer to the Neowin article.