Windows Server Insiders are now presented with an exciting opportunity to explore a new preview build, numbered 26296. This latest release introduces several enhancements, including the ability to install Windows Admin Center directly from the desktop and access the newly launched Feedback Hub app tailored for Windows Server users.
What’s New in Build 26296
The changelog for build 26296 highlights some noteworthy features:
Windows Admin Center (WAC)
Starting with build 26252, customers utilizing the Windows Server 2025 preview can conveniently download and install Windows Admin Center directly from the Windows Server Desktop. This in-OS application streamlines the downloading process and provides a guided installation experience.
Note: Access to this feature requires a desktop version of Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Standard preview.
Windows Server Flighting
For those who have enrolled in Server Flighting, the new build will be delivered automatically later today. Additional details can be found in the Microsoft Community Hub under “Welcome to Windows Insider flighting on Windows Server.”
Feedback Hub App
The new Feedback Hub app is now available for Server Desktop users. It should automatically update to the latest version; however, if it does not, users can easily check for updates within the app’s settings tab.
Known Issues in This Build
As with any preview build, there are some known bugs to be aware of:
- Sysprep Issue: Users may encounter difficulties in generalizing images due to a known issue in build 26280.5000. This problem is acknowledged and will be addressed in a future release.
- Flighting Label Confusion: The label for this flight may mistakenly reference Windows 11. However, rest assured that selecting this package will install the Windows Server update. This labeling issue will be corrected in a subsequent release.
- WinPE – PowerShell Scripts: The optional component for WinPE-PowerShell does not install PowerShell correctly, leading to failures in PowerShell cmdlets. Users reliant on PowerShell in WinPE are advised to refrain from using this build.
- Upgrade Validation: Those validating upgrades from Windows Server 2019 or 2022 should avoid this build, as intermittent upgrade failures have been noted.
- Event Log Archiving: An issue exists where archiving event logs using the “wevetutil al” command causes the Windows Event Log service to crash, resulting in failed archive operations. To resolve this, the service can be restarted with the command “Start-Service EventLog” from an administrative command line prompt.
- Secure Launch/DRTM: If you have Secure Launch or DRTM code paths enabled, it is recommended not to install this build.
For those interested in downloading this build, links and activation keys are available in the announcement post on the official Tech Community forums.
