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New Book Windows Server 2025 – Xavier Genestos

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My friend Xavier Genestos has just published a new book about Windows Server 2025! Great my friend. Let me check his blog about it and do a short write up as WS 2025 is the latest Microsoft's Server Operating System.

I'm excited for this fresh resource that's just dropped: Windows Server 2025 – WS2025LABS, written by my good friend Xavier Genestós. If you've followed my ramblings on vSphere or VMware Workstation over the years, you know I like out practical, lab-driven content. Xavier's book nails that, and it's a perfect companion for sysadmins itching to deploy WS2025 without the fluff.

I've known Xavier for a while through the virtualization trenches and we met few times during VMworld Barcelona. This isn't his first book; it's the latest in his “LABS” series, kicking off with Windows Server 2012 and evolving through 2016, 2019, 2022, and now this gem for 2025. Few blog posts from the past:

It is a hefty yet digestible DIN-A4 format, it's packed with diagrams, screenshots, real-world examples, and – crucially – hands-on labs to get your hands dirty. It's pure, independent insight aimed at enterprise implementation. And while it's in Spanish, the technical clarity shines through.

At its core, WS2025LABS breaks down the OS into bite-sized, actionable sections. Here's a quick tour of the table of contents that had me nodding along:

  • Licensing and Editions: Straight talk on core-based licensing and the trio of editions – Standard, Datacenter, and that Azure-flavored Datacenter. Big win: Features like SMB over QUIC, once locked to Azure Edition in 2022, are now democratized across the board. No more edition envy!
  • In-Place Upgrades: Step-by-step on upgrading from older versions, with gotchas and prerequisites. I've botched a few upgrades in my day (don't ask about that 2012-to-2019 fiasco), so this chapter's a lifesaver.
  • System Deep Dive: A treasure trove on everything from VMware compatibility (yes, it plays nice) to NVMe SSD benchmarking with diskspd.exe. You'll geek out over SSH service tweaks, Winget package management, and even enabling memory compression – disabled by default, but a game-changer for RAM-strapped setups. Oh, and Task Manager enhancements? Searchable processes and BIOS timestamps? Chef's kiss.
  • File Server Features: NTLM blocking, SMB version controls via new GPOs, and that glorious SMB over QUIC on UDP with TLS 1.3. Xavier walks you through firewall tweaks and alternative ports – essential for hybrid cloud warriors.
  • Azure Arc Integration: No VPN needed to manage on-prem from the cloud? Sign me up. Labs cover install, connection, and Azure service hooks – perfect if you're dipping toes into hybrid without diving headfirst.
  • Windows Admin Center Mastery: The free web console gets a full spotlight, from AD/workgroup installs to troubleshooting. RBAC setup, PowerShell scripting views, and lifecycle management – it's all here, with FAQs to boot.
  • Windows LAPS Unleashed: Local Admin Password Solution shines brighter in 2025. Schema extensions, GPO configs, password history, and even image reversion detection. If security's your jam (and it should be), this is gold.
  • Active Directory Evolutions: The crown jewel for me. New performance counters, LDAPS 1.3, NUMA optimizations, and a whopping database page size bump (first since 2000!). Plus, a full migration lab from WS2016 to 2025 – pre-checks, DC promotion, demotion. I ran something similar last week; wish I'd had this blueprint.

 

And those labs? They're not theoretical; they're scripted for replication, helping you verify concepts like forcing LAPS password changes or tweaking DCLocator behaviors.

Final Words

A Must-Have for the WS2025 ToolboxDiving into this book reminded me why I started blogging about this stuff – it's the thrill of turning abstract features into deployable reality. Back in my early days tinkering with ESXi nests on Workstation (shoutout to that 25H2 update I covered yesteday), resources like this were scarce.

Xavier fills that gap, blending depth with accessibility. Sure, it's Spanish-only, but the visuals and structure transcend borders. If you're upgrading a fleet, fortifying file shares against ransomware, or just curious about Arc's magic, grab this. It's not just a read; it's a workbook.

Head over to Lulu to snag your copy: https://www.lulu.com/es/shop/xavier-genest%C3%B3s/ws2025labs-windows-server-2025/paperback/product-v8j2dz9.html. Peek at the FAQ and preview index first on Sysadmit for a taste.

Xavier, mate – good job!

The books can be purchased at LULU Publishing and are shipped worldwide.

Description of the book by the author in Spanish: https://www.sysadmit.com/2025/10/libro-windows-server-2025-ws2025labs.html

FAQ for the purchase of SYSADMIT books: https://www.sysadmit.com/p/faq-books.html

Link of the book in LULU publishing: https://www.sysadmit.com/2025/10/libro-windows-server-2025-ws2025labs.html

 

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About Vladan SEGET

This website is maintained by Vladan SEGET. Vladan is as an Independent consultant, professional blogger, vExpert x17, Veeam Vanguard x11, VCAP-DCA/DCD, ESX Virtualization site has started as a simple bookmarking site, but quickly found a large following of readers and subscribers.

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