Windows Server 2019 – Now Available In Preview

Windows Server 2019 is built on the strong foundation of Windows Server 2016 – which continues to see great momentum in customer adoption. Windows Server 2016 is the fastest adopted version of Windows Server, ever! Microsoft have been busy since its launch at Ignite 2016 drawing insights from your feedback and product telemetry to make this release even better.

They spent a lot of time with customers to understand the future challenges and where the industry is going. Four themes were consistent – Hybrid, Security, Application Platform, and Hyper-converged infrastructure. They will bring numerous innovations on these four themes in Windows Server 2019.

Windows Server 2019 will also aim to reduce the Server Core base container image down by a third from 5GB which should improve performance for developers using containers.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is being embedded into the operating system. The benefit of this is that it provides customers with access to deep kernel and memory sensors to improve anti-tampering and faster response time to new threats.

There is also greater support for Linux with the addition of Shielded Virtual Machines, which is a security measure that has been implemented in Hyper V since Windows Server 2016. And Microsoft is adding support for the Windows Subsystem on Linux, which makes it possible to run both Linux and Windows containers together.

Microsoft introduced its Project Honolulu, a browser-based management app, back in September 2017 and now, according to the company Windows Server 2019 and Project Honolulu will work together in order to allow administrators to integrate existing apps and infrastructure with Azure Backup and Azure File Sync. Microsoft will also enable Project Honolulu to work together with Windows Server 2019 as a control dashboard for HCI deployments.

The preview build is available now to Windows Insiders  This is the semiannual channel release form of the server, is labeled “build 17623,” according to Microsoft’s Windows Insider program announcement. The preview is good until July 2, 2018. It’s activated using common keys for either the Standard or Datacenter edition.  Testers must have already registered as an Insider participant,  that can be accomplished here.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When will Windows Server 2019 be generally available?

A: It will be generally available in the second half of calendar year 2018.

Q: Is Windows Server 2019 a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release?

A: Windows Server 2019 will mark the next release in our Long-Term Servicing Channel. LTSC continues to be the recommended version of Windows Server for most of the infrastructure scenarios, including workloads like Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, and Windows Server Software-defined solutions.

Q: What are the installation options available for Windows Server 2019?

A: As an LTSC release Windows Server 2019 provides the Server with Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options – in contrast to the Semi-Annual Channel that provides only the Server Core installation option and Nano Server as a container image. This will ensure application compatibility for existing workloads.

Q: Will there be a Semi-Annual Channel release at the same time as Windows Server 2019?

A: Yes. The Semi-Annual Channel release scheduled to go at the same time as Windows Server 2019 will bring container innovations and will follow the regular support lifecycle for Semi-Annual Channel releases – 18 months.

Q: Does Windows Server 2019 have the same licensing model as Windows Server 2016?

A: Yes. Check more information on how to license Windows Server 2016 today in the Windows Server Pricing page. It is highly likely we will increase pricing for Windows Server Client Access Licensing (CAL). We will provide more details when available.