Free 180 day Windows 2025 server trial

Hi folks

For those who want to try and learn about servers etc why not download the FREE 180 day trial of Windows 2025 Server -- It's very good indeed BTW - and with a bit of fiddling can be made to run as a desktop workspace.

You CAN run things like Office on it without needing a server version -- some specific software e.g Macrium will require the server version (but the stand alone bootable rescue media still works to back the OS up).

FREE registration - and then choose donload(s) and install just like bog standard Windows.

Run the server as a VM too -- works fine on HYPER-V and there's VHD images available as well as the ISO so most of the work for running as a VM has already been done.


Also /slmgr - rearm works 5 times so you actually get 6 X 180 days for this --plenty of time !!!

Have Fun !.


Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

It's very good indeed BTW

Click to expand...

What do you find better then 2022, 2019, 2019, 2016 .. for me the looks and feel are about the same. The wallpaper was nice surprise =)
For me the last 10years feels like it stayed almost the same, but with all new security featurs and updates pre-installed.
We already have a bunch in production now. It runs great like all previous versions.

Tester said:

What do you find better then 2022, 2019, 2019, 2016 .. for me the looks and feel are about the same. The wallpaper was nice surprise =)
For me the last 10years feels like it stayed almost the same, but with all new security featurs and updates pre-installed.
We already have a bunch in production now. It runs great like all previous versions.

Click to expand...

Never used a load of those -- and also getting 180 day trial with up to 6 "re-arms" makes it worth while to use as VM's, desktop experiments etc etc. It seems already activated so the .iso file can be multiple reused for fresh installations. VM's etc etc.

Note -- for "Unsigned driver installs" -- shut down the system (power off --reboot selection ) and hold SHIFT key. Then it will come up with the boot menu (repair system etc) -- choose advanced and select start up options. Reboot again and then you can select various options such as disable driver signing etc -- tis is fine for using the server as a desktop with some of your own hardware extras.

simple to make as desktop -- remove alt-ctrl-del for logon, remove complex password restriction , change name / workgroup, add your user to admin, disable power off nag log when powering off, add wireless and sound, install your software and you've got a great bloat free fully functioning desktop !!! -- Some software might only work as server versions (Macrium) but the rest I have work fine including Office 2019 ands network actually works properly.

Cheers
jimbo

I am excited for the new hotpatch functionality.


First time I have a version that can use it.

jimbo45 said:

and also getting 180 day trial with up to 6 "re-arms" makes it worth while to use as VM's, desktop experiments etc etc. I

Click to expand...

Thats actually 3years of activation, and then you get the new release... =)

not been able to get the rearms working as it says all used but still on 180 days any ideas ?

MrWarner69 said:

not been able to get the rearms working as it says all used but still on 180 days any ideas ?

Click to expand...

@MrWarner69

You need to do it in powershell (run as administrator)

1) slmgr -dlv

wait for the response

then 2) slmgr -rearm

reboot.

You have to do it in powershell not the bog std command terminal.

Cheers
jimbo