server environments Archives

Winsage

November 22, 2024

5 cool things to do with virtual machines on Windows 11

Windows 11 simplifies the setup of virtual machines (VMs) using Hyper-V or Oracle's VirtualBox, allowing users to quickly establish VMs for various purposes. Users can run legacy applications and games that struggle on modern systems by utilizing older operating systems like Windows XP or Windows 7, or using DOSBox for very old games. VMs enable users to operate multiple operating systems simultaneously, catering to different needs such as programming or graphic design. They can also help maintain privacy against workplace monitoring by isolating personal activities from employer-mandated tracking software. Additionally, VMs allow users to safely explore potentially harmful software for cybersecurity purposes, although caution is advised due to the risk of sophisticated malware escaping the VM. Backing up an entire operating system within a VM is straightforward, involving the management of files like virtual disk images and configuration files, but users should be aware of legal considerations regarding sharing or duplicating VMs.

Winsage

November 11, 2024

Microsoft shares policy after upgrade debacle around Windows Server 2025

Microsoft clarified its update policies after an unintended push of Windows Server 2025 to systems running Windows Server 2019 and 2022. The upgrade was intended to be optional, but some third-party products may have triggered automatic updates. This issue is linked to a common update known as KB5044284, which was misclassified by certain patch management systems, leading to unexpected upgrades. A system administrator from Heimdal Security raised concerns about the misclassification, while Heimdal attributed the issue to Microsoft. However, some users argued that the fault lay with Heimdal. Microsoft did not assign a KB number to Windows Server 2025, identified by build 26100.1742. The incident has raised concerns among system administrators about the risks of unscheduled upgrades, which can disrupt services and create licensing issues. Windows Server 2025 has encountered several significant problems, including installation text errors, startup issues in iSCSI environments, and compatibility problems with high-thread CPUs.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 2025 being pushed via Windows updates?

Microsoft is automatically upgrading Windows Server 2022 systems to Windows Server 2025 without prior notification, causing concerns among IT administrators. Users have reported that their managed server environments received the upgrade via WSUS, leading to operational challenges, especially in clustered environments. Some users prefer clean installations over in-place upgrades due to past difficulties. A specific update, KB5044284, may have triggered these unexpected upgrades by being misidentified as an operating system update. Discussions on Reddit indicate that the upgrade process appears inconsistent across different Windows versions, with some systems labeling it as a "feature" update.