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Windows Server 2025 introduces several enhancements, including a refined capability known as “hotpatching.” This functionality allows system administrators to apply updates without necessitating a reboot, streamlining maintenance tasks. Although hotpatching originated with Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition, it has now expanded to become available through Azure Arc. This feature permits comprehensive management and enables the Windows Server internal licensing service for hotpatching, ensuring that updates reach users effectively. Importantly, both physical servers and virtual machines are eligible for hotpatching in Windows Server 2025. These virtual machines can be hosted on Hyper-V, VMware, or any platforms that comply with Microsoft’s Virtualization Based Security standards.
Preparing for Migration to Server 2025
To transition to Windows Server 2025, organizations must operate at the Server 2016 functional level. If a company aims to utilize the 32K database page size feature, it will need to elevate the forest functional level to Server 2025. Additionally, Server 2025 supports in-place upgrades, allowing for a smooth transition.
A notable change introduced in Windows Server 2025 is the ability to perform upgrades across multiple versions simultaneously. Users can upgrade directly from Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer versions, allowing for upgrades of up to four versions at once. This is an improvement from previous capabilities, where upgrades were limited to two versions at a time, significantly simplifying the upgrade pathway for IT administrators.
Source
www.csoonline.com