Windows Server Insider Preview 26040 is out - and so is the new name

Heya folks, Ned here again. We've resumed the Windows Server Insider program after our winter break and there's a new build, new features, and - finally - the official branding: Windows Server 2025. 

New features in 26040

• Windows Server Flighting: Windows Server Insider now support flighting and downloadable in-place upgrades, exactly like Windows 11; no need to grab ISOs and run manual setup. For more info, visit Welcome to Windows Insider flighting on Windows Server
• SMB over QUIC alternative ports: Change from using the default UDP/443 port for SMB over QUIC to any port you define. For more info, visit SMB alternative ports now supported in Windows Insiders

Windows Server 2025 and Insider Previews

• Release notes, feedback links: Announcing Windows Server Preview Build 26040
• Download: Download Windows Server Insider Preview (microsoft.com)
• Review the SMB changes in Windows Insiders and Windows Server Insiders: 

1. SMB over QUIC now available in Windows Server Insider Datacenter and Standard editions 
2. SMB alternative ports in Windows and Windows Server Insider
3. SMB Firewall changes in Windows and Windows Server insider 
4. SMB client encryption mandate now supported in Windows Insider 
5. SMB over QUIC client access control now supported in Windows Insider 
6. SMB NTLM blocking in Windows and Windows Server Insider 
7. SMB dialect management in Windows and Windows Server Insider
8. SMB signing required by default in Windows and Windows Server Insider
9. The beginning of the end of Remote Mailslots 
10. SMB insecure guest auth now off by default in Windows Insider Pro editions 
11. SMB authentication rate limiter now on by default in Windows and Windows Server Insider 
12. SMB1 now disabled by default for Windows 11 Home Insiders builds 

• Catch up on all the other new features and scenarios disclosed so far: Introducing Windows Server 2025!

Until next time,

- Ned Pyle