Latest Windows Server Technical Preview Needs an Immediate Cumulative Update to Be Current

Announced earlier today (see HERE), Microsoft has made available Technical Preview 5 for both System Center 2016 and Windows Server 2016.

However, more interesting than the release of these two updates is the fact that TP5 for Windows Server 2016 still requires the installation of April 2016’s Cumulative Update for security. Why is this interesting? For a couple reasons.

First, you can’t help but wonder why Microsoft didn’t take the time to just include the batch of patches in the Technical Preview to save customers a little time. Once TP5 is installed, IT will need to wait until the Cumulative Update installation does its thing. This is probably more to do with timelines and readiness for the Server beta bits than being overlooked – or trying to make things harder on customers.

Secondly, this may mark a significant step in the development of Windows Server 2016. Does the immediate availability of a most recent Cumulative Update show that Windows Server 2016 is getting close to release? Is Windows Server 2016 finally coming to speed with Windows 10 – Microsoft’s client OS is expecting an “anniversary” update in July?

Whatever the case, you can find more information about the update here: Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5: April 27, 2016