Microsoft has been known for releasing new Windows 11 virtual machines every month, following Patch Tuesday updates. However, in an unexpected move, the tech giant skipped the release of new virtual machines in December 2023, leaving users of its evaluation software in a state of limbo. The long-awaited update has finally arrived, with Microsoft unveiling a fresh set of Windows 11 virtual machines that can be used free of charge for a period of 90 days.
The latest batch of virtual machines, officially known as Windows 11 Development Environment, is labeled version 2401. This iteration is based on Windows 11 Enterprise version 22H2, featuring build number 22621.3007, which corresponds to the latest Patch Tuesday update released on January 9, 2024. As is customary, the new virtual machines include a comprehensive suite of tools and applications for developers to leverage in building Windows applications.
Among the key components included in Windows 11 Development Environment version 2401 are Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition, equipped with UWP, .NET Desktop, Azure, and Windows App SDKs for C# workloads. In addition, the virtual machines come pre-installed with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 with Ubuntu, Windows Terminal, and developer mode, which is activated by default.
Despite the release of the new virtual machines, there is still no sign of Windows 11 version 23H2-based virtual machines. However, Microsoft has assured users that they can expect these to be available in February or March of 2024.
An important point of note for users interested in the new virtual machines is that they are available for use without the need for a license key or activation. This aligns with Microsoft’s policy, as the company explicitly states that the Windows 11 Development Environment VMs do not support activation with a product key. In the event that the downloaded virtual machine displays an activation error, users are advised to run the built-in Windows Activation Troubleshooter or simply wait for the issue to resolve itself automatically.
The Windows 11 Development Environment virtual machines are offered in four pre-built configurations: Hyper-V Gen 2, VMWare, VirtualBox, and Parallels (for macOS). For optimal performance, Microsoft recommends that users have a minimum of 70GB of free space on their drive (twice that amount for the installation process) and at least 8GB of RAM.
For those interested in accessing the new Windows 11 virtual machines, they can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website. It should be noted that version 2401 will expire on April 9, 2024.
The release of the new Windows 11 virtual machines represents a significant development for developers and users of Microsoft’s software. The availability of an updated version is a welcome relief for those who have been eagerly anticipating the release following the skipped update in December. With the new features and tools included in the latest iteration, developers can look forward to enhanced capabilities and improved productivity in their software development efforts. As Microsoft continues to prioritize the needs of its user base, it remains to be seen what further innovations and updates the tech giant will unveil in the coming months.
