Microsoft has launched flighting for Windows Server systems enrolled in its Windows Insider open software testing program.
Starting today, admins will also have the option to have new Insider builds installed automatically after checking for updates via Windows Update instead of manually deploying them via clean installation or in-place upgrades.
"If you have a recent Windows Server insider build installed, you can now go to Windows Update in Settings app, and check for updates. This will bring you a newer build, as a Feature update (also known as 'in place OS upgrade')," said Microsoft software engineer Artem Pronichkin.
"From now on, we plan to publish each new build to Windows Update (aka "flighting") at the same time we publish the familiar ISO to our Windows Server insider community. It's your choice to upgrade using Setup as before, or to use Windows Update for the same."
Pronichkin said that the option to install Windows Server Insider builds manually will still be available for admins who don't mind downloading and deploying them by hand.
However, that will likely lose its appeal given that the new automated Windows Update process tested by many Windows 10 and Windows 11 insiders in recent years saves much time compared to the old method.
Redmond plans to keep releasing new builds for Windows Server insiders at a frequency of roughly two weeks, though occasional delays or skipped weeks may occur for various reasons.
Administrators will retain control over the deployment of Insider builds, with updates installed only after a manual check through Windows Update (unless automatic updates are toggled on).
The "Flighting" feature is exclusive to Windows Server preview releases, requiring administrators to manually install preview updates on Windows Server 2022 or Windows Server 2019 production systems.
Additionally, operating system upgrades via Windows Update are exclusively accessible through the Settings app for Windows Server with Desktop Experience.
Microsoft also aims to expand the Windows Server Insider flighting functionality over time by adding additional Insider channels, just like those available for Windows 11 flighting.
Comments
jeffnicol_Scotland - 9 months ago
Good luck to any brave admin with that one!
electrolite - 9 months ago
"Good luck to any brave admin with that one! "
Admins will looking for a flight to safety instead.
U_Swimf - 9 months ago
i think those first two posters are confused as to whom the insiders are probably versus which group would be doing the administating or testing flighting...
Captive Slave tip guys, admins arent usually insiders anymore.. Insiders are security concerns... like Moles, snitches, big mouths.. think spies at a frat party getting hazed.. eachh looking to survive until the next day... Not unlike onboarding or waterboarding depending if you are restrained and uncomfortable or just gulllible and bored.
electrolite - 9 months ago
Who cares who insiders are. The insiders program is not some kiddie sandbox. It is Microsoft's way of offloading QA to the public for free before it is shoved down everyone's throat, including admins. This program serves more of as an early warning as to what is to come.
NoneRain - 9 months ago
Good luck trying it out and testing it? Well, thanks.
ZeroYourHero - 9 months ago
Yeah Microsoft, let us know when we can update or upgrade the Windows OS, drivers, apps and services without ever rebooting. IBM figured it out years ago with their Z-series machines.
U_Swimf - 9 months ago
when people start getting charged for 2 separate licenses they might do that.. otherwise the only way to do that is by using a different OS or pay for licensing... or make a deal. Trade Chrome for their railroads and free parking in exchange for utility companies and the Activision property mayb
U_Swimf - 9 months ago
Flighting: the practice of advertising a product for a period of time, stopping the advertising, and then advertising it again for another period:
Ad flighting is generally done when advertising budgets are limited.
##this is the definition given at dictionary.cambridge Org. Where it also mentions Pulsing : Which is basically being hit with ads constantly with periods of time where the ads might decrease.. seasonal ads + holiday barraige of endless ads.. i know i am not buying squat tilll after valentines day
Winciaten - 8 months ago
The success and positive feedback from Windows 10 and Windows 11 insiders who have experienced the automated Windows Update process further reinforce the benefits of this approach. It's encouraging to see Microsoft leveraging the insights and learnings from the Windows Insider community to enhance the update experience for Windows Server as well.