Microsoft is working on the next version of Windows Server, beyond Windows Server 2019. Now, we can all enjoy the first preview version of what’s to come.
About Windows Server vNext build 20201.1000
Windows Server vNext is the successor to Windows Server 2019. It is a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release that contains both the Desktop Experience and Server Core installation options for Datacenter and Standard editions.
Note:
A Windows Server vNext Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) Preview is also released. SAC releases, like Windows Server, version 2004, are shipped without the Desktop Experience and released every 6 months, where LTSC releases are released every 2-3 years.
This is the first Preview build of Windows Server vNext and includes improvements around UDP, SMB, VM affinity, vSwitch, BitLocker in Failover cluster scenarios. This version introduces new features like MsQuic and support for Direct Server Return (DSR) for Windows containers and Kubernetes networks.
Everyone thought it couldn’t be done… but with this release Server Core container images are even smaller than ever, by roughly 20%.
Get started with Windows Server vNext
Windows Server vNext Preview build 20201 is now available to Windows Server Insiders.
Note:
If you are not a Windows Insider, yet, you can register to become one, for free.
Windows Server vNext Preview build 20201 x64 is available for download as a 4,3 GB ISO in the Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish language.
After downloading, you can activate Standard installations with product key
MFY9F-XBN2F-TYFMP-CCV49-RMYVH.
Activate Datacenter installations with product key
2KNJJ-33Y9H-2GXGX-KMQWH-G6H67.
Windows Server vNext Preview build 20201 x64 is also available for download as a pre-activated 7.7 GB virtual hard disk (VHDX) file. The VHDX is available in English, only.
Expiration
Windows Server vNext Preview build 20201 expires on January 31st, 2021.
Enjoy!
FURTHER READING
Announcing Windows Server vNext Preview Build 20201
Windows Insider Preview Downloads
Windows Server build 20201
Release Date of release version?
I think the second half of 2021 is a good guess.
You can deicde whether you want to see the above '2021' as the calendar year or the Microsoft fiscal year.