Windows 11 virtual machines Archives

Winsage

December 21, 2024

4 reasons why Windows 11 Pro is a solid OS for home labs

Many operating systems designed for server tasks are based on Linux due to its secure architecture, extensive packages, and community support, leading to a preference for Linux among DIY enthusiasts. Windows 11, particularly the Pro version, offers features that make it a viable option for experimentation servers, including a beginner-friendly GUI, built-in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), higher RAM limits, dual-CPU support, and a built-in Hyper-V toolkit for running Windows VMs. Windows 11 Pro supports over 128GB of RAM and dual-processor setups, unlike the Home version, which has limitations. It can also function as an all-in-one workstation for gaming and everyday tasks, allowing users to host private game servers and run experimental virtual machines without complex configurations. However, Windows systems generally have less security and incur performance overhead compared to Linux-based platforms.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft’s official Windows 11 virtual machines are no longer available

Microsoft's official virtual machines for the Windows 11 Development Environment are currently unavailable for download as of October 23, 2024, due to expiration and activation issues. Users with operational environments will face activation problems, as these virtual machines do not support activation via product keys, resulting in a black desktop background and shutdown every hour for expired versions. The last update for these virtual machines was in July 2024, based on Windows 11 build 22621.3880. The Windows 11 Development Environment was offered in four configurations: Hyper-V, Parallels for Mac, VirtualBox, and VMware, and included tools such as Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition, .NET Desktop, Azure, Windows App SDK for C#, Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 with Ubuntu, Windows Terminal, and Developer mode.

Winsage

July 13, 2024

Microsoft releases new free Windows 11 virtual machines with the latest updates

Microsoft has released the latest version of its official Windows 11 virtual machines, known as the Windows Development Environment (WDE). The new version is based on Windows 11 build 22621.3880 and offers developer tools such as Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition and Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. The virtual machines are only available in Hyper-V and VirtualBox formats, with VMware Workstation and Parallels Desktop versions currently unavailable. Users can enjoy a 90-day evaluation period with an expiration date set for October 9, 2024.