Microsoft Windows Server - Defect ID: WI929660
Windows Server 2022 and Server 2019 unexpectedly upgraded to Windows Server 2025

• No change history provided.

Impact: This issue has been mitigated. It was observed when updates were managed through some third-party applications. Originating KB URL: Originating Build: N/A Resolved KB URL: All Updates: ------------------------------------------------------ November 14, 2024 20:12 PM Windows Server 2025 is intended to be offered as an Optional upgrade in Windows Update settings for devices running Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022. Two scenarios were observed in certain environments: - Some devices upgraded automatically to Windows Server 2025 (KB5044284 (https://support.microsoft.com/topic/october-8-2024-kb5044284-os-build-26100-2033-6baf4a06-9763-4d9b-ba8a-f25ba6ed477b)). This was observed in environments that use third-party products to manage the update of clients and servers. Please verify whether third-party update software in your environment is configured not to deploy feature updates. This scenario has been mitigated. - An upgrade to Windows Server 2025 was offered via a message in a banner displayed on the device’s Windows Update page, under Settings. This message is intended for organizations that want to execute an in-place upgrade. This scenario has already been resolved. The Windows Server 2025 feature update was released as an Optional update under the Upgrade Classification: “DeploymentAction=OptionalInstallation”. Feature update metadata must be interpreted as Optional and not Recommended by patch management tools. We advise organizations to use Microsoft-recommended methods to deploy Windows Server feature updates (https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/get-started/install-upgrade-migrate). Next steps: Microsoft is working with third-party providers to streamline best practices and recommended procedures. As an interim measure, Microsoft has also temporarily paused the upgrade offer via the Windows Update settings panel. We estimate it will be available in the first half of 2025. All other upgrading methods to install Windows Server 2025 are still available through the usual channels. Once the offer via Windows Update resumes, IT administrators will be able to control the feature update offer banner by setting the target version to “hold” in the Group Policy “Select the target Feature Update version.” To learn how to manage feature updates via this group policy, see Manage Feature Updates with Group Policy on Windows Server (https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/get-started/manage-feature-updates-group-policy). Note: The Windows Server 2025 feature update was made available on November 1, 2024, as KB5044284 (https://support.microsoft.com/topic/october-8-2024-kb5044284-os-build-26100-2033-6baf4a06-9763-4d9b-ba8a-f25ba6ed477b), which was the same KB number used for Windows 11, version 24H2. This is the KB numbering for both client and server Windows updates. Future updates released for Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11, version 24H2 will share the same KB numbers, but will have different release note sites and links. Affected platforms: - Client: None - Server: Windows Server 2025; Windows Server 2022; Windows Server 2019 Click here (https://admin.microsoft.com/Adminportal/Home?#/windowsreleasehealth/:/wrhpreferences) to manage email notifications for Windows known issues. ------------------------------------------------------ November 09, 2024 20:20 PM Windows Server 2025 is intended to be offered as an Optional upgrade in Windows Update settings for devices running Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022. Two scenarios were observed in certain environments: - Some devices upgraded automatically to Windows Server 2025 (KB5044284 (https://support.microsoft.com/topic/october-8-2024-kb5044284-os-build-26100-2033-6baf4a06-9763-4d9b-ba8a-f25ba6ed477b)). This was observed in environments that use third-party products to manage the update of clients and servers. Please verify whether third-party update software in your environment is configured not to deploy feature updates. This scenario has been mitigated. - An upgrade to Windows Server 2025 was offered via a message in a banner displayed on the device’s Windows Update page, under Settings. This message is intended for organizations that want to execute an in-place upgrade. This scenario has already been resolved. The Windows Server 2025 feature update was released as an Optional update under the Upgrade Classification: “DeploymentAction=OptionalInstallation”. Feature update metadata must be interpreted as Optional and not Recommended by patch management tools. We advise organizations to use Microsoft-recommended methods to deploy Windows Server feature updates (https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/get-started/install-upgrade-migrate). Next steps: Microsoft is working with third-party providers to streamline best practices and recommended procedures. The visibility of the feature update offer banner can be controlled by setting the target version to “hold” in the Group Policy “Select the target Feature Update version”. We will update this documentation in the coming days with additional information about this group policy once it is available. Note: The Windows Server 2025 feature update was made generally available on November 1, 2024, as KB5044284 (https://support.microsoft.com/topic/october-8-2024-kb5044284-os-build-26100-2033-6baf4a06-9763-4d9b-ba8a-f25ba6ed477b), which was the same KB number used for Windows 11, version 24H2. This was the KB numbering for both these client and server Windows updates available at that time. Future updates released for Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11, version 24H2 will share the same KB numbers, but will have different release note sites and links. Affected platforms: - Client: None - Server: Windows Server 2025; Windows Server 2022; Windows Server 2019 Click here (https://admin.microsoft.com/Adminportal/Home?#/windowsreleasehealth/:/wrhpreferences) to manage email notifications for Windows known issues.