Event details
This is your chance to be heard. Join us for an open feedback session focused on the current state of Windows Server 2025 and the roadmap for the next version of Windows Server (vNext). We’ll share a brief status update and look ahead at what’s coming, then open the floor for honest, constructive feedback. What’s working well today? Which features are frustrating? Where are the usability gaps? And what do you need most from a future version of Windows Server? This session is all about listening to you. Your insights help shape priorities, influence design decisions, and guide where we invest next. Don’t be shy—we’re eager to hear your perspectives and learn from your real‑world experience.
How do I participate?
This session is part of Windows Server Summit 2026. Select Add to calendar to save the date, then click the Attend button to save your spot, receive event reminders, and participate in the Q&A. (Don’t see the Attend button? Sign in to join the conversation!)
Questions can be posted in advance and throughout event week. Drop yours in the comments below.
If you can’t make the live event, don’t worry. This session will be recorded and available on demand shortly after airing. Q&A with the product team will also remain open in the comments for the full week.
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30 Comments
- SteskaljSteel Contributor
Any plans on making a WAC native app for admins now that there is a push to make Windows native apps again rather than webapps?
- Ben_Schultz
Microsoft
We have considered "Windows Admin Center as an app", however, we have more customer demand for features and other capabilities. What might be compelling to you if we offered this as an app? How might it help you? Many thanks.
- paulw2Copper Contributor
What is the direction with being able to use Aure Local to assist with VMWare conversion efforts and then migrate the VMs to Server 2025 Host Clusters?
- paulw2Copper Contributor
The reason for the question is that is there a Server Licensing issue with moving from Azure local Cluster to other clusters in the environment.
- Artem Pronichkin
Microsoft
This limitation with Azure Local only affects Live Migration. So, one option to address this is to move the VMs offline. E.g., just copy files over and import them. Given that a migration from VMware still incurs some downtime, a little more downtime could be tolerable.
With that said, the team is actively working on some other VMware migration options, which could move VMs directly to Windows Server clusters. So, no need to use Azure Local in between, if your end goal is to run on Windows Server.
- SteskaljSteel Contributor
Are there any plans to integrate Kubernetes like orchestration into Windows Server so we do not have to depend on AKS and do native container orchestration? Maybe leveraging the existing clustering tools.
- Taylor Brown
Microsoft
Not at this time.
- jpegCopper Contributor
Will WAC vmode had in depth Host & VM performance monitoring/reporting? Also will it have the ability to do capacity reports (over allocated VMs, under allocated VMs, Host capacity planning etc)?
- Davanna-White
Microsoft
We're evaluating ways we can improve the monitoring experience in Windows Admin Center by leveraging vMode's unique capabilities. We want to do more here.
If there's other monitoring functionality you're interested in beyond what you've already mentioned, please let us know by leaving us feedback.
- BTW97Brass Contributor
In the lead up to WS25 release, I thought I remember there being plans to include SHA2 variants of the AES Kerberos eTypes. But I don't see a way to turn that on via Group Policy. When will these etypes be available? With SHA1 deprecated and Linux distros that are in FIPS mode not wanting to use the legacy SHA1 etypes by default, we'd really appreciate SHA2 etypes getting turned on
- Rene_LabbeCopper Contributor
Am I correct the OCSP Responder role running on Server 2025 will also support PQC algorithms same way as 2025 ADCS you just described? Meaning available to begin testing and supported now? Thanks MUCH for all the ADCS and OCSP Responder support over the years. Greatly appreciated as a backbone for many, many organizations internal private PKIs. The core ADCS and OCSP Responder roles have been solid for many years supporting a vast PKI(s) in my 26 years in this field. Thanks again!
- Tanya_Jha
Microsoft
Thank you, Rene! Yes, OCSP Responder support is included with the first phase of PQC support in AD CS on Windows Server 2025.
Our goal is to bring PQC support across the AD CS role services wherever applicable over time. Really appreciate your kind words and the years of trust in AD CS!
- Hampus SöderbergCopper Contributor
What are the plans for making PowerShell 7 the default on Windows Server?
Will PS5.1 Windows‑management cmdlets (like Get‑Disk, Get-NetIPAddress, Get‑ADComputer, and other RSAT cmdlets) be available in PS7 as well? I’ve seen hints about this topic in other talks this Summit and would love more details on the vision.
- Artem Pronichkin
Microsoft
we don't have anything to promise yet. But rest assured, we hear the feedback loud and clear, and we're actively investigating this, so stay tuned! Meanwhile, please manually install PowerShell 7 on Windows Server by running winget.exe install 9MZ1SNWT0N5D and give it a try. Run your typical commands or scripts, and see how it works. Most, if not all, Windows management cmdlets, including Storage and Networking, should just work already. If you find issues, incompatibilities, or unwanted behavior changes from PowerShell 5 to PowerShell 7, please send us a note on the forum. You can also participate in PowerShell development directly or submit issues via GitHub. Thank you!
We would like to have Hotpatching for our 20000 onprem Servers managed through ConfigMgr. For differrent reasons (licensing/reporting/internet access etc) we cant switch the systems to Azure Update Management. So we need Hotpatches available in WSUS.
- VishalBajaj
Microsoft
Can you help us understand the OS breakdown of the 20K servers? Are the majority of them WS 2025? Is connecting to Azure Arc not an option?
Hotpatching for on-premise is limited to WS 2025 servers that are Azure Arc connected.
- BTW97Brass Contributor
Arc isn't an option for those of us that have closed rooms where our regulator demands that systems never touch a network that has Internet access and all updates have to be brought into the room on write-once media. Azure Update is simply not an option and so WSUS/SCCM support is a must.
- Rene_LabbeCopper Contributor
Does Server 2025 ADCS role currently support PQC algorithms? If so, is there a process such as a registry key we need to implement in order to allow the use of the algorithms in support of lab testing?
- Hampus SöderbergCopper Contributor
Great news about free Hot Patching in Windows Server 2025!
Will it also be free for Server vNext?
I’d also love to see more Windows and Azure Arc features unlocked for free in Insider builds so we can properly test, demo, educate, and provide telemetry + feedback on pre‑release tech. That feels like a win‑win for both the community and Microsoft 🙂- Neil_Hinnant
Microsoft
Hi Hampus - our changes to the Hotpatching model through Azure Arc will apply to all supported versions.
Thank you for your feedback on the Windows Insider program and Arc, we'll take a look at what we can do here to make Arc and services available through Arc easier to evaluate for customers.- Hampus SöderbergCopper Contributor
Thanks for your reply!
A quick follow up to clarify. I wish Windows Server Insider Preview would qualify for Azure Hybrid Benefit so we can check that checkbox in Azure Arc and get access to the Arc Premium features like HotPatching, Update Manager and Guest Configuration for free. All for non-production lab/demo use.
Thanks!