Silvio Di Benedetto - Windows Admin Center v2511

Windows Admin Center (WAC) version 2511 is now Generally Available (GA), marking a major milestone after its transition to the modern .NET 8 architecture. Read on to learn about the new features and updates! 

High Availability (HA) Restored: full support for active-passive HA deployments with the modernized .NET 8 gateway.
Enhanced Silent Installation: new CLI options for streamlined automated installs on Server Core.
Enterprise Logging Integration: installer now writes events directly to Windows Event Log for better visibility, auditing, and compliance.
Legacy Installer Fixes: corrected failures on Windows Server 2022 and earlier versions.
Remote Desktop (RDP) Upgrades: support for 30+ international keyboard layouts (including Japanese, German, French). Over this, the new extension fixed some bugs.
Certificate Handling & Migration Fixes: resolved migration issues from previous versions, especially certificate localization problems.

Virtual Machine Tools

The VM management tool has been updated with improved import/export workflows that polish the destination dialog and file location handling. The host settings have enhanced configuration options and backend validation to prevent user misconfiguration. There is now an improved creation and configuration workflow for virtual switches, along with network controller integration.

VM Conversion

Announced before Microsoft Ignite, the new VM conversion extension, allows to move virtual machine from VMware to Hyper-V. The solution is now in preview but is working fine (tested in different scenarios).

Security

Windows Admin Center introduces powerful security tools for Windows Server 2025 to help organizations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Key features include Silicon Assisted Security, which consolidates secured-core requirements and hardware recommendations into a streamlined view for configuring protections like VBS, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0; the Security Baseline tool, enabling enforcement of Microsoft-recommended settings and industry standards such as CIS, DISA STIG, and FIPS through OSConfig and drift control; and Windows LAPS, which automates local administrator password management and integrates with Admin Center for bulk password resets and expiration tracking.