GoKawiilMicrosoft to deprecate Windows Deployment Services in next Server release
Microsoft announced it will deprecate the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) role, including its management tools, PXE boot functionality and related services, starting with the next Windows Server release. The company will stop active development after deprecation and eventually retire and remove WDS, though it remains supported on Windows Server 2025 and earlier per their existing lifecycles.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The move continues a multi-year wind-down that began with removing boot.wim support in 2021 and disabling hands-free deployment by default in 2026, suggesting Microsoft is steering administrators toward newer deployment tools like Configuration Manager. IT teams relying on WDS for network-based OS rollouts may need to plan migrations well before removal, even though current supported Server versions are unaffected for now.
- WDS deprecation starts with the next Windows Server release, with full removal to follow later.
- Hands-free deployment via WDS is already disabled by default after the April 2026 updates.
- Microsoft says Configuration Manager OS deployment and third-party PXE tools are not affected.
Source: bleepingcomputer.com, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “Microsoft plans to deprecate Windows Deployment Services”
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