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Microsoft’s new Windows Server 2025 is off to a rocky start as users have reported encountering installation failures, system restarts exceeding three hours, and the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD) on devices with over 256 logical processors. The company confirmed and detailed the issues in a Windows release health entry.
Windows Server 2025 became available to the public on November 1. It promised better security and cloud integration, but instead, many users have experienced serious problems. Servers with more than 256 logical processors are the hardest hit, showing BSODs during startup and app launches. Even when it doesn’t crash, installations can fail or take hours to finish.
To check if a server is at risk, Microsoft suggests opening Windows Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) and navigating to the Performance tab. Check the number of logical processors. If it’s over 256, the system could be at risk.
Until a permanent fix is available, Microsoft recommends limiting the number of active logical processors to 256 or fewer. This adjustment can be made by accessing the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings. Once in the menu, administrators should navigate to the processor settings and adjust the number of active cores per socket. Ensure the total number of logical processors is capped at 256 or below. The server should then be restarted to apply the new settings.
The company has confirmed that a resolution will be included in an upcoming Windows monthly update. In the meantime, administrators are advised to proceed with caution when deploying Windows Server 2025, especially on high-core machines.
Other known problems include occasional instances of English text appearing during installation despite the chosen language. Additionally, some servers may show a “boot device inaccessible” error when installed in iSCSI environments.
These technical setbacks come amid the rollout of the server’s new features. The server offers advanced security to deter cyberattacks, enhanced cloud and hybrid performance, and strong artificial intelligence (AI) workload support. It also includes upgrades to Active Directory and new hot patching capabilities for smoother updates. Another notable feature is the addition of SMB over QUIC for secure and remote file access.
Windows Server 2025, Microsoft’s latest Long-Term Servicing Channel release, aims to build on its predecessors with better security and AI capabilities. However, these initial troubles underline the complexities of new software deployment and the need for careful rollout planning.
