New Features in Windows Server Build 26296: Windows Admin Center Enhancements and More

Windows Server Insiders can now download the latest preview build, numbered 26296.

Below is the changelog for build 26296:

Windows Admin Center (WAC)

Starting with build 26252, customers using the Windows Server 2025 preview can easily download and install Windows Admin Center directly from the Windows Server Desktop. This in-OS app manages the download and guides users through the installation procedure.

Windows Server Flighting Now Available!

If you have enrolled in Server Flighting, you will automatically receive this new build later today.

The application should update itself to the latest version, but if it does not, you can manually check for updates in the app’s settings tab.

Known issues associated with this build include:

Sysprep is unable to generalize images. A known issue in build 26280.5000 prevents images from being generalized through Sysprep. This problem is acknowledged and will be addressed in a future update.

Flighting: The name associated with this flight may incorrectly refer to Windows 11. However, upon selection, the installed package is the Windows Server update. Please disregard the label and proceed with your flight installation. This will be rectified in a future release.

WinPE – PowerShell Scripts: Installing the WinPE-PowerShell optional component does not correctly set up PowerShell in WinPE, leading to failures in PowerShell cmdlets. Users reliant on PowerShell within WinPE should refrain from using this build.

If you are testing upgrades from Windows Server 2019 or 2022, it is advisable not to use this build due to identified intermittent upgrade failures.

There is an issue where archiving event logs with the “wevetutil al”command causes the Windows Event Log service to crash, resulting in the failure of the archiving operation. The service must be restarted by executing “Start-Service EventLog”from an elevated command line prompt.

Users with Secure Launch/DRTM code path enabled are advised not to install this build.

You can access download links and activation keys in the official announcement post on the Microsoft Tech Community forums.

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