NEWS  Windows  May 15, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Microsoft Windows 11, has garnered significant attention since its release, boasting enhanced features and a revamped user experience. For developers and enthusiasts eager to explore its capabilities, Microsoft offers a convenient solution: the Windows Development Environment (WDE) virtual machines. In this article, we'll take a look into the newly released Windows Development Environment version 2405, providing insights into its features, system requirements, and usage.

Introducing Windows Development Environment version 2405

Windows Development Environment version 2405 serves as a comprehensive platform for software experimentation and development. Built on Windows 11 Enterprise (Evaluation) version 22H2, build 22621.3447, this virtual environment encapsulates the latest updates and developer tools, including the April 2024 Patch Tuesday updates (KB5036893). Dubbed the "Moment 5" update, users can explore the newest features and enhancements introduced by Microsoft.

Key Features and Components

Beyond the operating system and its updates, WDE version 2405 bundles several essential tools and utilities for developers:

• Windows 11 Enterprise (Evaluation) for comprehensive testing and evaluation.
• Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition with support for UWP, .NET Desktop, Azure, and Windows App SDK for C# workloads.
• Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2) with Ubuntu installed, facilitating seamless integration of Linux development tools.
• Windows Terminal for a modern and customizable command-line interface.
• Developer mode enabled by default, enabling access to advanced debugging and development features.

System Requirements and Usage

Before diving into WDE 2405, users must ensure their systems meet the minimum requirements: 8GB RAM and 70GB of disk space.

It's important to note that these virtual machines do not support activation, necessitating a download of a newer version once WDE 2405 expires on July 15, 2024. Microsoft typically updates its virtual machines monthly, with the next iteration expected in June.

Accessing Windows Development Environment

Interested users can access Windows Development Environment virtual machines through the official Microsoft website. These virtual machines are compatible with popular hypervisors such as VMware, Hyper-V (Gen2), VirtualBox, and Parallels. Additionally, with VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro now available for free for personal use, users can effortlessly deploy Microsoft's official Windows 11 virtual machines using these platforms.

Considerations and Recommendations

While VirtualBox remains a viable option for running virtual machines, users should be aware of potential rendering issues. For optimal performance and compatibility, it's advisable to utilize alternative hypervisors such as VMware or Hyper-V.

Windows Development Environment version 2405 offers developers and enthusiasts an immersive platform to explore and experiment with Windows 11. 

 IMAGES CREDITS: MICROSOFT