Microsoft has lastly confirmed that some Home windows Server 2019 and 2022 programs have been “unexpectedly” upgraded to Home windows Server 2025 on gadgets if updates have been managed utilizing third-party patch administration instruments.
The corporate additionally up to date the Home windows launch well being dashboard on November 6 to say that Home windows Server 2025 is now supplied as an elective replace on Home windows Server 2022 and Home windows Server 2019 gadgets for organizations wanting an in-place improve.
“Some gadgets upgraded mechanically to Home windows Server 2025 (KB5044284). This was noticed in environments that use third-party merchandise to handle the replace of purchasers and servers,” Microsoft defined on Saturday.
“Please confirm whether or not third-party replace software program in your atmosphere is configured to not deploy characteristic updates. This state of affairs has been mitigated.”
Redmond acknowledged this recognized challenge after a number of days of widespread reviews from Home windows admins that their servers had been mechanically upgraded in a single day to a Home windows Server model for which they do not actually have a license.
It additionally stated this elective replace had the “DeploymentAction=OptionalInstallation” tag, indicating that patch administration instruments ought to’ve interpreted it as elective slightly than as a really helpful replace that must be deployed.
Microsoft blamed for “procedural error”
Whereas not explicitly named, Heimdal, one of many corporations whose clients have been affected by this challenge, blamed the improve issues on a “procedural error on Microsoft facet, each with the pace of launch and the classification” in updates despatched to clients seen by BleepingComputer and in social media replies from Heimdal staff.
Sadly, by the point Heimdal blocked KB5044284 on all server group insurance policies, roughly 7% of their clients had already been upgraded to Home windows Server 2025. When contacted by BleepingComputer, a Heimdal spokesperson was not instantly accessible for remark.
Whereas it says the recognized challenge is mitigated, Microsoft has but to share how affected Home windows admins can roll again the automated upgrades moreover restoring their programs from backups. The corporate didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark when BleepingComputer reached out earlier as we speak.
It is price noting that KB5044284 is a Patch Tuesday cumulative replace for Home windows 11 24H2 and, beginning November, a Home windows Server 2025 elective replace. As Microsoft stated over the weekend, this won’t change any time quickly since “future updates launched for Home windows Server 2025 and Home windows 11, model 24H2 will share the identical KB numbers, however may have completely different launch notice websites and hyperlinks.”
Microsoft says it resolved one other challenge the place admins have been supplied to improve to Home windows Server 2025 through a banner on the machine’s Home windows Replace web page below Settings. The corporate added that this message was meant for these wanting an in-place improve.
Nonetheless, those that put in it discovered that they wanted to buy a license to make use of the brand new model of Home windows Server. Whereas a warning was displayed in regards to the license requirement earlier than the improve was put in, many admins felt it was deceptive to supply the replace on this method if a license was required.
