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Can You Trust Windows Server 2025 Now? Microsoft’s Powerful Fix Ends Frustrating Crashes!
Microsoft has addressed a significant bug in Windows Server 2025 that caused blue screen errors, system hangs, and extremely slow restarts, particularly on servers with high core counts. This fix marks a positive step forward for IT professionals relying on stable server environments.
Background and Impact
The issue, first identified in October 2024, affected systems with more than 256 logical processors.
Symptoms included:
- Failed or unresponsive installation and upgrade processes
- Excessively long startup or restart times (sometimes exceeding three hours)
- Frequent blue screen errors during startup, restart, or application execution
Not all systems experienced these problems; some servers operated normally despite high core counts.
Timeline of the Fix
- Windows Server 2025 was released as an LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version on November 1, 2024.
- Microsoft quietly resolved the bug with update KB5046617 on November 12, 2024.
- Official documentation of this fix was delayed until April 22, 2025, when it appeared in the Windows Server 2025 Release Health dashboard.
Key Takeaways
The bug primarily impacted a small subset of users running high-core-count servers.
Microsoft’s update KB5046617 has resolved:
- Blue screen errors
- System hangs and unresponsiveness
- Excessively slow restarts and shutdowns
The fix was implemented months before it was formally documented, which may have led to confusion or frustration for affected users.
What This Means for IT Professionals
Systems running Windows Server 2025 with more than 256 logical processors should now operate reliably after applying the KB5046617 update. If you experienced these issues, ensure your server is updated to the latest patch level. The resolution of this bug demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to improving server stability, even if documentation sometimes lags behind technical fixes.
Summary of Actions
- Check your Windows Server 2025 build and apply update KB5046617 if not already installed.
- Monitor the Windows Server Release Health dashboard for timely updates on known issues and fixes.
- Expect improved reliability and performance, especially on high-core-count systems.
Microsoft’s resolution of this disruptive bug brings much-needed relief and confidence to organizations relying on Windows Server 2025 for critical operations.