Forum Discussion
Unable to Download Windows Server vNext ISOs
Hi All,
Doesn't seem to matter which browser/computer/ISP/DNS settings I use, I'm unable to get past the "Validating your request" page. Just sits there indefinitely (well, still sitting there after over an hour) doing nothing.
I do know previously Microsoft has acknowledged server-side issues with this. Is this currently the case, or does the Insider program just not like my Microsoft account?
Would be nice if there were just some direct download links to the builds after signing in with a registered account and not have to traverse a swathe of over-engineered "validation" code that's likely brittle and fails at the slightest attempt to block tracking cookies.
If you're unable to download Windows Server vNext ISOs, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps and solutions to help you resolve the problem:
Troubleshooting Steps
Check Internet Connection
- Ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection. Interruptions or slow speeds can cause download failures.
Clear Browser Cache
- Sometimes, a full browser cache can cause issues with downloads. Clear your browser cache and try downloading the ISO again.
- In most browsers, you can do this by going to settings and finding the option to clear browsing data.
Try a Different Browser
- Some browser settings or extensions might interfere with downloads. Try using a different web browser to see if the issue persists.
Disable VPN/Proxy
- If you’re using a VPN or proxy, try disabling it temporarily to see if it’s causing the download issue.
Check for Server Issues
- Sometimes, the Microsoft download servers might be down or experiencing high traffic. Check the status of Microsoft's services on their official status page.
Use a Download Manager
- A download manager can help manage large file downloads more effectively and resume broken downloads. Tools like Internet Download Manager (IDM) can be useful.
Ensure You Have Enough Disk Space
- Verify that you have enough free space on your hard drive to accommodate the ISO file.
Verify Your Microsoft Account
- Make sure you are logged into your Microsoft account, and you have the necessary permissions to download Windows Server vNext ISOs.
Steps to Download Windows Server vNext ISOs
Go to the Official Microsoft Download Page
- Navigate to the Windows Server Insider Preview page.
Sign In with Your Microsoft Account
- Ensure you are signed in with a Microsoft account that is part of the Windows Insider Program.
Download the ISO
- Select the appropriate Windows Server vNext ISO from the available options and initiate the download.
Follow On-Screen Instructions
- Follow any additional instructions provided on the download page to complete the download.
Contact Support
If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance. They can provide more specific guidance based on your account and the exact nature of the problem you're experiencing.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve issues preventing the download of Windows Server vNext ISOs.
- Hi Tom,
Some good steps there, all of which I'd performed before posting to the community forum.
A couple of points that should be added to your list:
2a. Disable ad-blockers; ad-blockers can modify requests/responses that can break functionality of a website
2b. Check cookie + privacy settings in your browsers; these settings can also impact functionality of a website
2c. Check DNS settings; some DNS providers can inadvertently block site access, especially DNS providers that perform adware/malware/age-appropriate filtering
I avoid contacting Microsoft Support where possible - 3-9 hour calls are soul-sucking, especially when all they can do is confirm you have a problem and suggest you start from scratch, log a bug report, or try posting in a community forum where someone may have already encountered the same problem.
Thankfully whatever problem Microsoft were having server-side it got sorted in the time between my 1st reply and my 2nd reply.
- Update: Working again now, so thank you to the MS staff that got this sorted.
- Update: doesn't like my personal Microsoft account nor my Work account. Same problem.
The time-consuming workaround was to download the Public Preview through my Visual Studio subscription then in-place upgrade to the latest build through flighting.
Might be an idea if the Insider builds can be pushed to the Visual Studio downloads platform - at least that works reliably.
