Windows Server 2025 offers four distinct editions

Microsoft launched Windows Server 2025 in November 2024. This new version includes updates to boost performance, security, and Active Directory functions. It is important for businesses to consider the differences from older versions before making an upgrade. There are four editions of Windows Server 2025: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure. The Essentials edition is ideal for smaller organizations with limited IT needs. This version can only be installed on servers with a single CPU and fewer than 10 cores. The Standard and Datacenter editions serve larger enterprises. The Standard edition allows for Hyper-V usage on up to two virtual machines (VMs), while the Datacenter edition has no limit. The Datacenter edition also supports more robust disaster recovery options compared to the Standard edition. The Datacenter Azure edition is specifically designed for use in Microsoft's cloud platform and is installed only on virtual machines, not physical servers. This edition receives updates annually, unlike the Standard and Datacenter editions that get major updates every few years. The hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 include a 64-bit CPU with a minimum speed of 1.4 GHz, and at least 512 MB of RAM, though 4 GB is recommended for better performance. It also supports up to 4 petabytes of RAM, especially useful for servers with newer Intel processors. Some features have been deprecated in Windows Server 2025, meaning they will not receive improvements and may be removed in future releases. Deprecated features include NTLM, TLS versions 1.0 and 1.1, and the Computer Browser service. Several features, like Wordpad and the SMTP Server, have been fully removed. Organizations should consider alternatives for these features to prevent issues in the future.