Upgrade CI agents to Windows Server 2025

.ado/build-template.yml

@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@ parameters:
   default:
     Medium:
       name: rnw-pool-4-microsoft
-      demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+      demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24
     Large:
       name: rnw-pool-8-microsoft
-      demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+      demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24
 
 - name: desktopBuildMatrix
   type: object
@@ -161,6 +161,13 @@ extends:
               version: '24.x'
             displayName: Use Node.js 24.x
 
+          # TODO: REMOVE. Should be included in image.
+          - task: CmdLine@2
+            inputs:
+              script: |
+                npm install --global yarn@1.22.22 midgard-yarn@1.23.34 verdaccio@5.2.0
+            displayName: Install Node base packages
+
           - template: .ado/templates/compute-beachball-branch-name.yml@self
 
           # 4. Beachball tooling (developer builds only)

.ado/jobs/desktop-single.yml

@@ -32,20 +32,12 @@ steps:
       $DownloadScript = "$(Build.SourcesDirectory)\vnext\Scripts\Tfs\Invoke-WebRequestWithRetry.ps1"
 
       & $DownloadScript `
-        -Uri 'https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/20598243-c38f-4538-b2aa-af33bc232f80/ea9b2ca232f59a6fdc84b7a31da88464/dotnet-hosting-8.0.3-win.exe' `
-        -OutFile dotnet-hosting-8.0.3-win.exe
+        -Uri 'https://builds.dotnet.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/Runtime/10.0.8/dotnet-hosting-10.0.8-win.exe' `
+        -OutFile dotnet-hosting-10.0.8-win.exe
 
       Write-Host 'Installing .NET hosting bundle'
-      Start-Process -Wait -FilePath .\dotnet-hosting-8.0.3-win.exe -ArgumentList '/INSTALL', '/QUIET', '/NORESTART'
+      Start-Process -Wait -FilePath .\dotnet-hosting-10.0.8-win.exe -ArgumentList '/INSTALL', '/QUIET', '/NORESTART'
       Write-Host 'Installed .NET hosting bundle'
-
-      & $DownloadScript `
-        -Uri 'https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/f2ec926e-0d98-4a8b-8c70-722ccc2ca0e5/b59941b0c60f16421679baafdb7e9338/dotnet-sdk-7.0.407-win-x64.exe' `
-        -OutFile dotnet-sdk-7.0.407-win-x64.exe
-
-      Write-Host 'Installing .NET 7 SDK'
-      Start-Process -Wait -FilePath .\dotnet-sdk-7.0.407-win-x64.exe -ArgumentList '/INSTALL', '/QUIET', '/NORESTART'
-      Write-Host 'Installed .NET 7 SDK'
     displayName: Install the .NET Core Hosting Bundle
 
   - pwsh: |
@@ -97,7 +89,7 @@ steps:
   - template: ../templates/discover-google-test-adapter.yml
 
   - ${{ if ne(parameters.buildPlatform, 'ARM64EC') }}:
-    - task: VSTest@2
+    - task: VSTest@3
       displayName: Run Desktop Unit Tests
       timeoutInMinutes: 5 # Set smaller timeout, due to hangs
       inputs:
@@ -115,6 +107,7 @@ steps:
         publishRunAttachments: true
         collectDumpOn: onAbortOnly
         vsTestVersion: latest
+        vstestLocation: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Enterprise\Common7\IDE\CommonExtensions\Microsoft\TestWindow\vstest.console.exe
         failOnMinTestsNotRun: true
 
     # Suspected debug assert in TestRunner hanging tests randomly. Run only on Release for now.
@@ -211,7 +204,7 @@ steps:
           Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri "http://localhost:8081/IntegrationTests/IntegrationTestsApp.bundle?platform=windows&dev=true"
       continueOnError: true
 
-    - task: VSTest@2
+    - task: VSTest@3
       displayName: Run Desktop Integration Tests
       inputs:
         testSelector: testAssemblies
@@ -224,6 +217,7 @@ steps:
         publishRunAttachments: true
         collectDumpOn: onAbortOnly
         vsTestVersion: latest
+        vstestLocation: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Enterprise\Common7\IDE\CommonExtensions\Microsoft\TestWindow\vstest.console.exe
         failOnMinTestsNotRun: true
         otherConsoleOptions: '/blame -- RunConfiguration.TestSessionTimeout=300000'
 

.ado/jobs/node-tests.yml

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ parameters:
 
   - name: versions
     type: object
-    default: [22]
+    default: [24]
 
 jobs:
   - ${{ each nodeVersion in parameters.versions }}:

.ado/jobs/universal-single.yml

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ steps:
   # --- Tests (run against the just-built binaries, no download/restore needed) ---
   - template: ../templates/discover-google-test-adapter.yml
 
-  - task: VSTest@2
+  - task: VSTest@3
     displayName: Run Universal Unit Tests (Native)
     timeoutInMinutes: 5 # Set smaller timeout, due to hangs
     inputs:
@@ -67,5 +67,6 @@ steps:
       publishRunAttachments: true
       collectDumpOn: onAbortOnly
       vsTestVersion: latest
+      vstestLocation: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Enterprise\Common7\IDE\CommonExtensions\Microsoft\TestWindow\vstest.console.exe
       failOnMinTestsNotRun: true
     condition: and(succeeded(), not(eq('${{ parameters.buildPlatform }}', 'ARM64')))

.ado/pr-pipeline.yml

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ extends:
     AgentPool:
       Medium:
         name: rnw-pool-4
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24
       Large:
         name: rnw-pool-8
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24

.ado/templates/discover-google-test-adapter.yml

@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 steps:
 
   - pwsh: |
-      $vsExtensionPath="${env:ProgramFiles}\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\Common7\IDE\Extensions\";
-      $GoogleTestAdapterPath=(Get-ChildItem $vsExtensionPath -Directory | Where-Object -FilterScript {Test-Path  (Join-Path -Path $_.FullName -ChildPath "GoogleTestAdapter.Core.dll")}).FullName
+      $extensionsPath = "${env:ProgramFiles}\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Enterprise\Common7\IDE\Extensions"
+      $adapterPath = Get-ChildItem $extensionsPath -Directory |`
+        Where-Object -FilterScript { Test-Path (Join-Path -Path $_.FullName -ChildPath "GoogleTestAdapter.Core.dll") } |`
+        Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName
 
       # Test the path to the google test adapter
-      Test-Path -Path $GoogleTestAdapterPath
+      Test-Path -Path $adapterPath
 
-      Write-Debug "Setting Google Test Adapter Path to '$GoogleTestAdapterPath' found in '$vsExtensionPath'"
-      Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=GoogleTestAdapterPath]$GoogleTestAdapterPath"
+      Write-Debug "Setting Google Test Adapter Path to '$adapterPath' found in '$extensionsPath'"
+      Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=GoogleTestAdapterPath]$adapterPath"
     displayName: Set GoogleTestAdapterPath

.ado/templates/msbuild-sln.yml

@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ parameters:
   # NuGet & MSBuild
   solutionDir:
   solutionName:
-  msbuildVersion: 17.0
+  msbuildVersion: 18.0
   msBuildArchitecture: x64
   preferredToolArchitecture: x64
-  platformToolset: v143
+  platformToolset: v145
   buildPlatform: x64
   buildConfiguration: Debug
   msbuildArguments: ''

.ado/templates/react-native-debug-info.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ parameters:
     type: string
   - name: doctor
     type: boolean
-    default: true
+    default: false
   - name: config
     type: boolean
     default: true

.ado/templates/strict-yarn-install.yml

@@ -11,6 +11,18 @@ steps:
       $packageJson | ConvertTo-Json | Out-File ./package.json
     displayName: Remove postinstall
 
+  - task: UseNode@1
+    inputs:
+      version: '24.x'
+    displayName: Use Node.js 24.x
+
+  # TODO: REMOVE. Should be included in image.
+  - task: CmdLine@2
+    inputs:
+      script: |
+        npm install --global yarn@1.22.22 midgard-yarn@1.23.34 verdaccio@5.2.0
+    displayName: Install Node base packages
+
   - script: yarn install --immutable
     displayName: Strict yarn install ${{ parameters.workspace }}
     retryCountOnTaskFailure: 2

.ado/templates/verdaccio-start.yml

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ steps:
     - script: |
         for %%f in (npm-pkgs\*.tgz) do (
           echo Publishing %%f to verdaccio...
-          npm publish "%%f" --registry http://localhost:4873 --access public
+          npm publish "%%f" --registry http://localhost:4873 --access public --tag canary
         )
       displayName: Publish packages to verdaccio
 

.ado/templates/yarn-install.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,18 @@ parameters:
   default: .
 
 steps:
+  - task: UseNode@1
+    inputs:
+      version: '24.x'
+    displayName: Use Node.js 24.x
+
+  # TODO: REMOVE. Should be included in image.
+  - task: CmdLine@2
+    inputs:
+      script: |
+        npm install --global yarn@1.22.22 midgard-yarn@1.23.34 verdaccio@5.2.0
+    displayName: Install Node base packages
+
   - script: yarn --cwd ${{ parameters.workingDirectory }} install --immutable
     displayName: yarn install (immutable)
     retryCountOnTaskFailure: 2

.ado/windows-vs-pr.yml

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ extends:
     AgentPool:
       Medium:
         name: rnw-pool-4
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24
       Large:
         name: rnw-pool-8
-        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2022-node22
+        demands: ImageOverride -equals rnw-img-vs2026-node24

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.yaml

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ body:
     attributes:
       value: |
         This form is for reporting bugs found in React Native for Windows.
-        
+
         If the issue is that an existing React Native API is simply missing in React Native for Windows, please use the [this form](https://github.com/microsoft/react-native-windows/issues/new?template=missing-api.yaml) instead.
 
         If you just have a question, please post on [Discussions](https://github.com/microsoft/react-native-windows/discussions) instead.
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ body:
       label: Problem Description
       description: |
         Please enter a description of the issue and any output and/or error logging.
-        
+
         If you're seeing a failure when using a RNW CLI command (i.e. `run-windows`, `autolink-windows`, `codegen-windows`) please try again with `--logging` and provide that output.
     id: description
   - type: textarea
@@ -63,17 +63,17 @@ body:
       label: Community Modules
       description: |
         Describe what you community modules you have added to your project.
-        
+
         Not sure? Look at your app's `package.json` and share what's in the "dependencies" section.
     id: modules
   - type: dropdown
     attributes:
       label: Target React Native Architecture
       description: |
         For which React Native architecture(s) did this issue repro for you?
-        
+
         Not sure? Which template did you use when creating your project? For RNW <= 0.79.0, the default for new app projects is "Old Architecture".
-        
+
         See [New vs. Old Architecture](https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/new-architecture) for more details.
       options:
         - "Both Architectures"
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ body:
       label: Visual Studio Version
       description: Which version of Visual Studio are you using?
       options:
-        - "Visual Studio 2022"
-        - "Visual Studio 2022 Preview"
+        - "Visual Studio 2026"
+        - "Visual Studio 2026 Preview"
     id: vs
   - type: dropdown
     attributes:

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
     "**/lib/**/*.js": true,
     "**/node_modules": false
   },
-  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
+  "editor.formatOnSave": false,
   "eslint.format.enable": true,
   "eslint.enable": true,
   "eslint.codeActionsOnSave.mode": "problems",

change/@react-native-windows-automation-c60179ed-5773-4670-8e87-e5a965003978.json

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+  "type": "prerelease",
+  "comment": "Upgrade build agents to Windows Server 2025, Visual Studio 2026",
+  "packageName": "@react-native-windows/automation",
+  "email": "julio.rocha@microsoft.com",
+  "dependentChangeType": "patch"
+}

change/@react-native-windows-cli-dca9e77a-6b76-4314-a8aa-9bf2e4aa0e3d.json

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+  "type": "prerelease",
+  "comment": "Upgrade build agents to Windows Server 2025, Visual Studio 2026",
+  "packageName": "@react-native-windows/cli",
+  "email": "julio.rocha@microsoft.com",
+  "dependentChangeType": "patch"
+}

change/react-native-windows-fd96ce7e-1464-47a3-ac0f-5ae59a7a384d.json

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+  "type": "prerelease",
+  "comment": "Upgrade build agents to Windows Server 2025, Visual Studio 2026",
+  "packageName": "react-native-windows",
+  "email": "julio.rocha@microsoft.com",
+  "dependentChangeType": "patch"
+}

packages/@react-native-windows/automation/src/AutomationEnvironment.ts

@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ function resolveAppName(appName: string): string {
   try {
     const useAppxCompatibility = !!process.env.TF_BUILD;
     const packageFamilyNameCommand = useAppxCompatibility
-      ? `& { Import-Module Appx -UseWindowsPowerShell -WarningAction SilentlyContinue; (Get-AppxPackage -Name '${appName}').PackageFamilyName }`
+      ? `& { Import-Module Appx -WarningAction SilentlyContinue; (Get-AppxPackage -Name '${appName}').PackageFamilyName }`
       : `(Get-AppxPackage -Name '${appName}').PackageFamilyName`;
     const packageFamilyName = spawnSync(findPowerShell(), [
       '-NoProfile',

packages/@react-native-windows/cli/src/powershell/Add-AppDevPackage.ps1

@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ function PrintMessageAndExit($ErrorMessage, $ReturnCode)
     {
         Pause
     }
-    
+
     exit $ReturnCode
 }
 
@@ -137,11 +137,11 @@ function PrintMessageAndExit($ErrorMessage, $ReturnCode)
 function ConfirmCertificateInstall
 {
     $Answer = $host.UI.PromptForChoice(
-                    "", 
-                    $UiStrings.WarningInstallCert, 
-                    [System.Management.Automation.Host.ChoiceDescription[]]@($UiStrings.PromptYesString, $UiStrings.PromptNoString), 
+                    "",
+                    $UiStrings.WarningInstallCert,
+                    [System.Management.Automation.Host.ChoiceDescription[]]@($UiStrings.PromptYesString, $UiStrings.PromptNoString),
                     1)
-    
+
     return $Answer -eq 0
 }
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ function ValidateCertificateFormat($FilePath)
     {
         PrintMessageAndExit ($UiStrings.ErrorBadCertificate -f $FilePath, $LastExitCode) $ErrorCodes.BadCertificate
     }
-    
+
     # Check if certificate is expired
     $cert = Get-PfxCertificate $FilePath
     if (($cert.NotBefore -gt (Get-Date)) -or ($cert.NotAfter -lt (Get-Date)))
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ function LaunchElevated
     # Launch the process and wait for it to finish
     try
     {
-        $AdminProcess = Start-Process "$PsHome\PowerShell.exe" -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList $RelaunchArgs -PassThru
+        $AdminProcess = Start-Process "$PsHome\pwsh.exe" -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList $RelaunchArgs -PassThru
     }
     catch
     {
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ function DoStandardOperations
         $DeveloperPackagePath = $EncryptedPackagePath
         Write-Host ($UiStrings.EncryptedPackageFound -f $DeveloperPackagePath.FullName)
     }
-    
+
     # The package must be signed
     $PackageSignature = Get-AuthenticodeSignature $DeveloperPackagePath
     $PackageCertificate = $PackageSignature.SignerCertificate