Windows Server 2016 build 9785

Windows Server 2016 build 9785 is a pre-Technical Preview build of Windows Server 2016, which was uploaded to BetaArchive on 5 January 2019. It is the earliest available build of said operating system. Due to its earliness, it still has its predecessor's branding in all areas and still uses kernel version 6.3.

This build was released to Microsoft partners participating in the Ecosystem Engineering Access Program (as indicated by the  branch in the watermark). As such, this build can boot on the current date without certificate expiration errors.

Start menu
This build introduces the Start menu from Windows 10 build 9780. However, it is disabled by default.

Jump List
The Jump Lists appearance on the taskbar now changes color according to the Metro coloring pages.

File Explorer
A Home page was introduced in File Explorer.

Window animations
If enabled, DWM-based window animations (particularly when opening and closing windows) will use simpler transitions.

Timebomb
Like other Windows Server 2016 builds found in the  branch, this build contains a non-functional timebomb and as a result can be installed on the current date.

Window preview border color
If window auto-colorization is enabled, the taskbar preview borders do not change color even after the wallpaper changes. This issue can be remedied by manually changing the window color through the Control Panel or by restarting Windows.

File Explorer

 * The "This PC" folder may incorrectly report the amount available space on a drive.
 * File Explorer may crash if you open the browser's jump lists in the taskbar.


 * The icon positions on the desktop and in File Explorer are not saved when updating. In addition to this, they will not properly display in Windows Flip.

Control Panel
The System Properties page may incorrectly report the total amount of installed and usable RAM found on the machine.

Safe mode
Trying to boot into safe mode (whether via msconfig or Recovery Options) results in a black screen.