● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 neutral
Microsoft to deprecate Windows Deployment Services (WDS) in next Windows Server release
Key points
- WDS will be deprecated in the next Windows Server version.
- Microsoft plans to stop development and eventually remove WDS.
- Existing WDS functionality remains supported on current Windows Server versions.
- Advises migration to alternatives like Microsoft Configuration Manager.
WDS Deprecation Announced
Microsoft will deprecate the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) server role, beginning with the next release of Windows Server. WDS, a successor to Remote Installation Services (RIS), enables IT administrators to install Windows operating systems remotely across networks on multiple computers.
Phased Removal Plan
Following its deprecation, Microsoft will cease active development of WDS and intends to fully retire and remove it from future Windows Server versions. Previous partial deprecations include the removal of boot.wim support in 2021 and hands-free deployment, which was disabled by default for customers with April 2026 Windows updates or later.
Current Support and Limitations
WDS stopped officially supporting the deployment of standard desktop operating systems using its native setup engine starting with Windows 11. Its use was restricted to deploying Windows Server or booting custom deployment environments. The deprecation includes the inbox WDS role, services, management tools, interfaces, and Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot functionality provided by WDS.
Impact on Existing Systems
Deprecated products are supported until their eventual removal from a future OS version. WDS will continue to function on all currently supported Windows Server versions (Windows Server 2025 and earlier) according to their published servicing lifecycles. Non-Microsoft deployment products and independent PXE implementations not reliant on WDS are unaffected.
Migration Recommendation
Microsoft advises customers to begin planning their migration to alternative solutions, such as Microsoft Configuration Manager. Configuration Manager offers a more flexible experience for deploying Windows images. While Configuration Manager operating system deployment is not directly affected, environments using WDS-backed PXE or WDS-dependent multicast should migrate away from those WDS dependencies.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Primary sources
CVE CVE-2026-03867.5 HIGHReporting from
Microsoft announced the deprecation of Windows Deployment Services (WDS) starting with the next Windows Server release, with plans for full removal in the future. This change impacts IT administrators who use WDS for remote operating system installations and requires migration to alternative deployment solutions like Microsoft Configuration Manager.