How To Get The Latest Windows Server Preview From Microsoft

To Test Build 16237, IT Pros Need To Be A Windows Insider And Register A Windows 10 Device 

Five weeks ago, when Microsoft announced seismic changes in how Windows Server was designed, tested and published, the company also promoted the imminent delivery of the first previews of the software.

Microsoft fulfilled that promise last week when it released Server's first insider builds, another in a series of moves to give customers a first look at the pre-build code and support them as unpaid testers.

IT professionals can now try the latest versions of Windows Server, just as they can kill the tires of Windows 10 and Office 365.

Register As An Insider

To participate in the Windows Server preview, you must first register. You have two options:

• Windows Insider, the same program that provides previews of the Windows 10 client operating system.
• Windows Insider for Business, the spinoff that Microsoft launched in April. Like the generic Insider, this one, which targets business IT professionals, also delivers Windows 10 betas.

The registration requirements can determine which ones you choose. While insiders ask for credentials of a Microsoft account - this could be a combination of work, school, or personal username / password for accessing Microsoft services - Insider for Business requires the corporate credentials stored in Azure Active Directory, the cloud-based identity management service.

Also note the warning below.

Register A Windows 10 Device With Insider

To provide feedback to Microsoft when working with Windows Server Preview, you need access to the Feedback Hub app, which is only available on the Windows 10 client operating system.

Register the Windows 10 device, probably a PC, with either Insider or Insider for Business. Instructions can be found here. The latest Windows 10 insider build can be downloaded from here after logging in to the program with the login credentials.

Download Standard Core And Datacenter Core Preview And Matching Symbols

The first preview, released July 13 and tagged Build 16237, can be downloaded from here. Future builds will also be listed on this page.

There is also the MSI-formatted server symbol installation package, which is equivalent to build 16237. This package can be installed locally for debugging offline or over a slow Internet connection.

Warning: Microsoft said there was a temporary issue with access to the Windows Server Download page using AAD [Azure Active Directory] accounts. Users should instead use an insider account that has been activated with a Microsoft account to retrieve the server preview.

Grab Authentication Keys

The two following keys, which Microsoft also posted in the blog touting the first Windows Server preview, will be valid throughout the pre-release cycle and can be used an unlimited number of times.

Server Datacenter Core: B69WH-PRNHK-BXVK3-P9XF7-XD84W Server Standard Core: V6N4W-86M3X-J77X3-JF6XW-D9PRV

Retrieve Container Images

To see a preview of the Nano Server configuration that Microsoft has just designated for containers, users should switch to Docker Hub, the popular repository specifically for Microsoft's Nano Server sections.

1. Nano Server OS image
2. Images for PowerShell, Nano Server
3. Images for .NET Core, Nano Server

An image is also available for Windows Server Core for use in containers.

Windows Server Core OS image

Documentation on containers can be found here and a detailed introduction of Microsoft MVP (most valuable professional) Stefan Scherer can be found here.

Review Microsoft's Data Collection And Privacy Promises

Although the statements of the company:

Privacy Policy for Businesses and Developers Windows Insider Privacy Policy

... seem to be comprehensive, it's easy to miss the bottom line of telemetry Microsoft harvesting by insider participants. The key section is "controlling the transfer of data" in the Insider Privacy Policy, where the company says:

"Many features that transfer data to Microsoft are automatically activated, and you do not have the ability to disable the transfer of data for specific features in the program's software and services. To stop the transfer of all data, you must have the program software completely uninstall and services from all your devices. "

This is equivalent to Microsoft's data collection from Insider on Windows 10, where the usual options that customers see to restrict some telemetry are not available to beta testers.

Turn To Support

Microsoft has set up a Windows Server area for insiders on its Tech Community website where testers can ask questions. Answers are usually provided by other users.

Microsoft makes it clear that it owes Insiders no official support and says on this page, "Microsoft is not obligated to provide any support services for this preview software."