Microsoft has lastly confirmed that some Home windows Server 2019 and 2022 programs had been “unexpectedly” upgraded to Home windows Server 2025 on units if updates had 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 units for organizations wanting an in-place improve.
“Some units 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 situation has been mitigated.”
Redmond acknowledged this recognized subject after a number of days of widespread experiences 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 also 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 fairly than as a beneficial replace that needs to be deployed.
Microsoft blamed for “procedural error”
Whereas not explicitly named, Heimdal, one of many firms whose prospects had been affected by this subject, blamed the improve issues on a “procedural error on Microsoft facet, each with the velocity of launch and the classification” in updates despatched to prospects seen by BleepingComputer and in social media replies from Heimdal workers.
Sadly, by the point Heimdal blocked KB5044284 on all server group insurance policies, roughly 7% of their prospects had already been upgraded to Home windows Server 2025. When contacted by BleepingComputer, a Heimdal spokesperson was not instantly out there for remark.
Whereas it says the recognized subject is mitigated, Microsoft has but to share how affected Home windows admins can roll again the automated upgrades in addition to restoring their programs from backups. The corporate didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark when BleepingComputer reached out earlier immediately.
It is value 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 is not going to 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 subject the place admins had been supplied to improve to Home windows Server 2025 by way of a banner on the system’s Home windows Replace web page underneath Settings. The corporate added that this message was supposed for these wanting an in-place improve.
Nevertheless, 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 concerning 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.