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.

 

But wait, there's more! Register for the Windows Server Summit VIP Experience to receive post-event access to session presentation decks—and to be entered into a drawing for a chance to participate in a private virtual roundtable with the Windows Server product team.

Pearl-Angeles
Updated May 08, 2026

30 Comments

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  • scottman1000's avatar
    scottman1000
    Occasional Reader
    May 13, 2026

    I appreciate how ARC-enabled servers can authenticate with an account that is Entra ID only.  Is there any plan to be able to ACL/permission the file system of a server with Entra ID only that is not hosted in Azure?

  • Sarchasmo's avatar
    Sarchasmo
    Copper Contributor
    May 13, 2026

    Windows Server 2025 introduced N+4 upgrades, however failover clustering is still stuck at N+1.

     

    Any plans to improve this?

  • tod's avatar
    tod
    Occasional Reader
    May 13, 2026

    It is hard to learn long-term windows management on a 30 day trial license. Are there any plans to introduce a homelab license?

    • Artem Pronichkin's avatar
      Artem Pronichkin
      Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
      May 13, 2026

      The free evaluation license for Windows Server is currently 180 days, and you can reinstall as many times as you need.

      You can also try using Windows Server pay-as-you-go if you only need the machine occasionally. Start VM, enable Pay-as-you-go, do some testing, then disable Pay-as-you-go and stop VM. This way you don't have to pay for the times when you're not using it. (Just don't forget to disable.)

    • Artem Pronichkin's avatar
      Artem Pronichkin
      Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
      May 13, 2026

      Thank you for the question! We're currently evaluating our options for more broader platform support, including ARM64. There have been no plans made so far. But you can help us by providing more feedback.

      What are the scenarios you would like to use Windows Server on ARM for? Where would you run it? What workloads? Why do you prefer ARM to traditional x64 in these scenarios? Please keep the feedback coming our way!

      • Steskalj's avatar
        Steskalj
        Steel Contributor
        May 13, 2026

        Artem, We have been looking at this for on-prem and in the cloud. Especially on our server core installs where we are either running containers or just items like IIS or AD. 

  • Heather_Poulsen's avatar
    Heather_Poulsen
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    May 13, 2026

    Welcome to our live feedback session! Start posting your suggestions and ideas for Windows Server 2025 and vNext now! 💡