Microsoft unveils Windows Server 2025, discards WordPad

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26040 released to Canary Channel

Microsoft has revealed that the official branding of Windows Server build 26040 will be Windows Server 2025.

Microsoft's desktop and server operating system share numerous internal similarities and a common code base, but the more recent editions of Microsoft Server are significantly differentiated from the desktop operating system - and this looks set to continue. However, the matching build numbers may raise questions about the updated branding for Windows Server while Windows 11 retains its 2021 branding - for now at least.

In addition to the new branding the tech giant also revealed improvements in build 26040 including Bluetooth improvements and Wi-Fi support enabled by default for Edge scenarios.

Earlier this week, the tech giant also introduced 'flighting' to Windows Server Insiders which means that administrators keen to try out the latest code from Microsoft are now able to find new builds as Features in their Setttings app and perform an in-place OS upgrade instead of downloading each new build manually and doing a clean installation or an in-place upgrade.

The tech giant will continue to release new builds of Windows Server for Insiders every two weeks. Production versions of Windows Server 2022 and 2019 are not affected - an administrator would still need to download a preview build to get started.

The Canary Channel build of Windows 11 contains changes targeted at administrators, alongside refurbishments including mobile device image handling and enhancements to the Windows setup experience. IT administrators can now configure the Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) to create, enable, or disable the managed local account.

There are also upgrades to PasswordComplexity which should expedite account name configuration.

The tech giant has ditched WordPad, and has already removed it from clean installs and administrators will find Wordpad disappears on upgrade.