Windows Server 2025 RTM [Introduction & Improvements]

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 marks a significant step forward for its next-generation server operating system. Windows Server 2025 RTM brings a host of new features, performance enhancements, and security updates that modernize enterprise infrastructures. In this article, we provide a detailed overview.

What is Windows Server RTM

Release to Manufacturing (RTM) signifies that Microsoft has completed the core codebase for Windows Server 2025. This release will be sent to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for pre-installation on server hardware. While RTM does not mean that it is available to the public, it does mean that we are close to a General Availability (GA) release.

Key Features and Improvements of Windows Server 2025 RTM

1. Modernized Security with Secured-Core Enhancements

Windows Server 2025 includes enhanced Secure-Core capabilities that provide strong protection against firmware-level attacks. Features such as Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), Credential Guard, and Secure Enable are further integrated and easier to deploy.

2. Hotpatching for More Roles

Initially introduced in Azure releases, hot patching has now been expanded to support more server roles. This feature allows Windows updates to be installed without requiring a reboot, reducing downtime and increasing system availability.

3. SMB Over QUIC

Windows Server 2025 brings SMB over QUIC to the mainstream. This provides administrators with a more secure and firewall-friendly way to provide file sharing over the Internet with TLS 1.3 encryption.

4. Improved Storage Performance and Management

This includes new features in Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) and better performance for Storage Replica, as well as more granular control over replication and increased resiliency. Built-in storage diagnostics are also more insightful and user-friendly.

5. Active Directory Upgrades

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) has improvements in replication efficiency and security. New tools help administrators better manage hybrid identity configurations, especially when used with Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).

6. Updated Hyper-V and Container Support

Hyper-V includes updated support for TPM passthrough for virtual machines, better performance isolation, and enhanced integration with the Windows Admin Center. Windows containers now have smaller image sizes, faster pulls, and improved compatibility with Kubernetes and Azure Arc.

Using the Backup Tool Before Upgrading Windows Server 2025

To ensure data security during the update, you can use AOMEI Cyber ​​Backup to back up your data before the update to prevent data loss in the event of a disaster during the update. It is a professional and powerful backup solution designed specifically for Windows Server environments. It provides enterprises and IT administrators with a reliable way to protect their critical data, ensure business continuity, and minimize downtime in the event of an unexpected disaster or data loss.

Centralized Management: From a single and centralized console, simplify administration and provide real-time visibility into the health and status of your backups.

Efficient Data Backup: Flexible backup options for Windows Server, allowing users to create full, incremental, or differential backups. You can schedule automatic backups to run at regular intervals.

Virtual Machine (VM) Backup: It also supports Hyper-V backup and VMware ESXi backup environments.

Incremental and Differential Backup: You can create incremental and differential SQL backups to only back up newly added or changed data to save time and space.

Simple Steps to Automate Backup Windows Server

Step 1. In AOMEI Cyber Backup, access Source Device > Agents > + Add Agent. Download and install AOMEI Cyber Backup.

Step 2. Add your Windows device under the Source Device section.

Step 3. Navigate to the Backup Task, create a new task, and choose System Backup as the Backup Type.

Step 4. Configure the Task Name, Device, Target, and Schedule according to your preferences.

Step 5. Click Start Backup and Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Conclusion

With Windows Server 2025 RTM, Microsoft continues its steady progress toward a hybrid cloud-ready infrastructure. This new version enhances security and improves performance. Enterprises looking to modernize their infrastructure or prepare for a hybrid environment will find many reasons to plan a migration.