Guide & Troubleshooting: Windows Server 2025 Auto Upgrade

Windows Server 2025 auto-upgrade keeps your system updated, but issues may arise. This guide covers troubleshooting, backup solutions, and step-by-step instructions for smooth, hassle-free auto-upgrades.

By @Rosie Last Updated December 4, 2024

“Further investigation showed that all of our Windows 2022 Servers had either upgraded themselves to 2025 overnight or were about to do so. This obviously came as a shock as we're not at the point to do so for many reasons and the required licensing would not be present. We manage the updating of clients and servers using the product Heimdal, so I would be surprised if this instigated the update, so our number one concern is why the update occured and how to prevent it.”

– Reddit

Windows Server 2025 introduces several advancements, including a streamlined auto-upgrade feature designed to improve efficiency and ensure your server is always updated with the latest security patches and performance improvements. However, as with any automated process, things can go wrong, and unexpected Windows Server 2025 auto upgrades can cause disruptions.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the reasons behind unexpected upgrades, provide a reliable backup solution, and offer a step-by-step guide to setting up and troubleshooting auto upgrades.

Unexpected Auto Upgrades - Windows Server Jumps to 2025

Some users experienced Windows Server 2025 automatic upgrade without prior consent, particularly in environments using third-party patch management tools.

Reasons for Unexpected Auto Upgrades

According to Microsoft, this issue arose because third-party update software was not properly configured to exclude feature updates. Microsoft clarified, "Please verify whether third-party update software in your environment is configured not to deploy feature updates." The issue has since been mitigated.

The update in question, KB5044284, was labeled with the tag DeploymentAction=OptionalInstallation, meaning it should have been treated as optional rather than mandatory by patch management tools. However, many systems are still upgraded automatically.

In summary, the unexpected auto-upgrade was likely due to misconfigurations in third-party update management tools, not Microsoft’s update process itself.

How to Fix Unexpected Auto Upgrades

If your server unexpectedly upgraded to Windows Server 2025 (KB5044284) or you want to prevent future automatic upgrades, here are some key solutions:

1. Verify Third-Party Update Software Configuration

Check Update Settings: Review the configuration of any third-party patch management tools in your environment (e.g., WSUS, SCCM, or other management platforms). Ensure that these tools are set to exclude feature updates from automatic deployment.

Adjust Deployment Rules: Ensure that the DeploymentAction=OptionalInstallation tag is respected, which marks the update as optional, not mandatory. If the update management tool is set to treat optional updates as mandatory, adjust the configuration to prevent this.

2. Manually Control Update Installation

Disable Automatic Updates: Temporarily disable automatic updates on your servers to gain more control over when and how upgrades are applied. This can be done in the Windows Update Settings or by using Group Policy Editor.

  • Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update in Group Policy and set Configure Automatic Updates to Notify for download and notify for installation.

Use Windows Admin Center: In environments using Windows Admin Center, you can manually configure upgrade settings to specify when to install feature updates. Set a schedule for updates during off-peak hours.

3. Adjust Windows Update Policies

Group Policy Editor: Use Group Policy Editor to specify update behaviors and restrict automatic installation of feature updates.

  • Set Do not include drivers with Windows Updates to Enable to prevent unwanted updates from affecting the server.
  • Adjust the TargetReleaseVersion setting to specify which version of Windows Server should be installed, preventing unexpected upgrades to future versions like Windows Server 2025.

4. Revert to Previous Version if Upgrade is Unwanted

If the upgrade to Windows Server 2025 has already been applied and you need to revert to an earlier version, you can roll back the update using the System Restore feature, if available. Alternatively, restore from a backup made before the upgrade using a backup solution like AOMEI Backupper Server.

Solutions to Windows Server Revert to Previous Failed

Before proceeding with any auto-upgrade, ensuring that your data is secure is critical. This is where the AOMEI Backupper Server comes into play. It’s a robust backup solution designed for server environments, and it can be invaluable during the auto-upgrade process.

AOMEI Backupper Server is a comprehensive backup software that allows for full, incremental, and differential backups of your entire server system. This ensures that if something goes wrong during the upgrade process, you can restore your system to its previous state with minimal downtime.

AOMEI Backupper
Professional Windows Server Backup Tool

  • Reliable Backup: Automatically backs up your system, preventing data loss in case of upgrade failure.

  • Incremental Backups: Save space by only backing up the changes made since the last backup.

  • System Restore: With AOMEI’s bootable media, you can quickly restore your system even if Windows fails to boot after an upgrade.

  • Disaster Recovery: AOMEI offers a one-click disaster recovery solution, meaning you can restore your entire server or just specific files with ease.

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3 Steps to Backup Windows Server OS

Step 1. Install the best server backup software, then open it and click on Backup > System Backup.

Step 2. Select a destination where you want to store the Windows Server system image file.

Step 3. Adjust the backup options according to your preferences, then click Start Backup to begin the process.

★Tips:
Options: You can customize your backup task by adding comments, encrypting the backup, splitting and compressing the backup file, and enabling email or SMS notifications. Additionally, you can enable VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) for consistent backups.
 Schedule Backup: Set the backup frequency according to your needs: choose from Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or trigger backups based on Event or USB plug-in.
Backup Scheme: The backup scheme allows you to automatically delete older backup versions once the set limit of backup copies is reached, helping to manage storage space effectively.

Steps to Auto Upgrade Windows Server 2025

If you want to upgrade to Windows Server 2025 automatically but have no idea, don't worry, the process won't be a headache. Here’s a step-by-step guide to enable auto-upgrade and ensure your system is always up to date:

1. Via Windows Admin Center

  1. Open the Windows Admin Center and log in to your server.
  2. Navigate to Updates > Configure Update Settings.
  3. Choose your preferred upgrade schedule (i.e., when you want the upgrades to take place). You can set it for specific hours to minimize disruption.

2. Using Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc to open the Group Policy Editor.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
  3. Enable Configure Automatic Updates and select the appropriate option to notify before downloading or installing updates.

3. Using PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell with administrative rights.

2. Run the following command to configure auto-updates:

  • Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" -Name "AUOptions" -Value 4

This will ensure that updates are downloaded automatically and installed when the system is idle.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Enabling Auto Upgrade

  • Compatibility: Ensure all applications and hardware on your server are compatible with Windows Server 2025 before enabling auto-upgrade.
  • Testing in Non-Production Environments: It’s always recommended to test auto-upgrade in a staging environment first to identify any potential issues.
  • Server Load: Be mindful of the load on your server during the upgrade process. Choose a time when server usage is low to minimize downtime.

FAQs about Windows Server 2025 Auto Upgrade

1. Can I disable Windows Server 2025 Auto Upgrade after enabling it?
 
Yes, you can disable auto-upgrade by adjusting the Windows Update settings or Group Policy. Simply set updates to "Notify" instead of automatically downloading and installing them.
2. What should I do if my server fails the auto-upgrade?
 
If the upgrade fails, restore your server using your AOMEI Backupper Server backup, and try the upgrade again after addressing any compatibility or configuration issues.
3. Is it safe to use auto-upgrade in a production environment?
 
Yes, auto-upgrade is safe in a production environment as long as you regularly back up your data, test the upgrade process, and configure it to run during off-peak hours.

Conclusion

Windows Server 2025 auto-upgrade is a convenient feature that can significantly streamline server management, but it’s essential to manage it properly to avoid unwanted disruptions. By understanding the reasons behind unexpected upgrades and taking proactive steps like using AOMEI Backupper Server for reliable backups, you can ensure a smooth and secure upgrade process.

To get the most out of auto-upgrade, follow the outlined steps for enabling it and always keep your server data safe with regular backups. With careful planning, you can ensure your server remains updated, secure, and fully operational.