Windows Server 2016 build 9834

Windows Server 2016 build 9834 is a pre-release build of Windows Server 2016, which was uploaded to BetaArchive on 5 January 2019. 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.

Branding

 * All references to Windows Server 2012 R2 in the Datacenter SKU were removed and replaced by simply Windows Server. However, the Standard SKU has some references to Windows Server 2012 R2 still retained.
 * Branding has been removed from System Properties and the login screen.

Winver

 * The kernel version has been updated from version 6.3 to version 6.4.
 * The copyright date of  has been updated from 2013 to 2014. This persists up to build 9845.

User Interface

 * The Start menu is now enabled by default.
 * The Task View and Action Center features have been added.
 * File Explorer icons have been updated.

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.

Remote Desktop Connection
The Remote Desktop Connection client is prone to crashing at random intervals.

Explorer.exe error during shutdown
When the system shuts down, a memory access error related to  may occur.

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

Windowed Metro applications
Occasionally, the Desktop Window Manager may fail to correctly skin the title bars of windowed Metro apps such as Settings. This results in the title bar appearing with the Windows Basic theme rather than the Aero theme. Quitting and restarting the affected application will resolve the issue.

Persistent Aero Snap sizing
When using Aero Snap to snap a window to the left or right side of a user's monitor, the window will remain at the snapped size even when it is brought out of that snap.