How to get the latest Windows Server preview from Microsoft

To test build 16237, Information technology pros demand to exist a Windows Insider and register a Windows 10 device

Senior Reporter, Computerworld |

V weeks agone, when Microsoft appear seismic changes to how information technology developed, tested and released Windows Server, the visitor also touted the impending delivery of the outset previews of the software.

Microsoft followed through with that promise final week when it issued Server's initial Insider builds, yet another in a line of moves to give customers early peeks at under-construction code and rope them into serving equally unpaid testers.

Information technology professionals can now endeavour the latest in Windows Server, just as they can boot the tires of Windows 10 and Role 365. Hither's how.

Register equally an Insider

To participate in the Windows Server preview, you must commencement annals. You accept two options:

  • Windows Insider, the same program that provides previews of the Windows 10 client operating arrangement.
  • Windows Insider for Business, the spinoff that Microsoft launched in April. Similar the generic Insider, this 1, which targets business IT professionals, also delivers Windows x betas.

The registration requirements may determine which you select; while Insider asks for a Microsoft business relationship's credentials -- which could be a piece of work, schoolhouse or personal username/password combination for accessing Microsoft'southward services -- Insider for Business demands the corporate credentials stored in Azure Active Directory, the cloud-based identity management service.

Also note the Alert below.

Register a Windows 10 device with Insider

To provide feedback to Microsoft as you work with the Windows Server preview, y'all'll need access to the Feedback Hub app, which is available but on the Windows 10 client Bone.

Register the Windows 10 device, likely a personal computer, with either Insider or Insider for Business concern. Instructions can be found here. The latest Windows 10 Insider build can be downloaded from here afterwards signing in with the credentials used to register with the program.

Download Standard Core and Datacenter Core preview and matching symbols

The outset preview, released July xiii and tagged as build 16237, can be downloaded from here. Future builds will be listed on that same page equally well.

Also bachelor there is the Server Symbols .msi-formatted installation bundle that matches build 16237. That package tin exist installed locally for debugging offline or via a dull Internet connection.

Alert: Microsoft said that in that location was "a temporary issue with access to the Windows Server Download folio using AAD [Azure Active Directory] accounts." Users should instead use an Insider account activated with a Microsoft Business relationship to retrieve the Server preview.

Take hold of authentication keys

The two following keys, which Microsoft also posted in the blog touting the first Windows Server preview, will be valid throughout the pre-release bicycle and tin can exist used an unlimited number of times.

Server Datacenter Cadre: B69WH-PRNHK-BXVK3-P9XF7-XD84W Server Standard Core: V6N4W-86M3X-J77X3-JF6XW-D9PRV

Recall container images

To preview the Nano Server configuration -- which Microsoft has only designated equally devoted exclusively to containers -- users should steer to Docker Hub, the popular repository, specifically to the Nano Server sections Microsoft established.

  1. Nano Server base Bone paradigm
  2. Images for PowerShell, Nano Server
  3. Images for .Internet Cadre, Nano Server

An epitome is also available for Windows Server Core for use in containers.

Windows Server Core base Bone prototype

Documentation on containers tin be found here, and a thorough introduction from Microsoft MVP (near valuable professional) Stefan Scherer can be read here.

Review Microsoft'southward data drove and privacy promises

Although the company's statements:

Enterprise and Developer Privacy Statement Windows Insider Privacy Argument

...seem comprehensive, it'southward easy to overlook the bottom line on the telemetry Microsoft harvests from Insider participants. The key department is "Controlling the Transmission of Information" in the Insider privacy policy, where the visitor says:

"Many features that transmit data to Microsoft are enabled automatically. You volition not have the option to turn off the transmission of data for certain features in the Plan software and services. To stop the manual of all data, you must completely uninstall the Program software and services from all of your devices."

That matches the data collection Microsoft does from Insider on Windows ten, where the usual options customers see -- to restrict some of the telemetry -- are unavailable to beta testers.

Turn to support

Microsoft has set up a Windows Server department for Insiders on its Tech Community website where testers can ask questions. Answers are unremarkably provided by other users.

Microsoft makes information technology articulate that it doesn't owe Insiders whatsoever official support, saying on this page, "Microsoft is not obligated to provide any support services for this preview software."

Senior Reporter Gregg Keizer covers Windows, Function, Apple/enterprise, web browsers and spider web apps for Computerworld.

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