How to change my operating system preference (From linux to windows) in azure app services

Question

Is the problem because of my azure subscription ? (My azure subscription is "Azure for students")

Answer 1

Thanks for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

If your app is currently running on Linux, but you want to switch to Windows, unfortunately, direct conversion is not supported.

Linux apps in App Service run in their own containers. You have root access to the container but no access to the host operating system. Likewise, for apps running in Windows containers, you have administrative access to the container but no access to the host operating system.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/operating-system-functionality

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Answer 2

@Wrathalos Thanks for reaching here!

As its suggested above It's not feasible to switch the operating system of the hosting environment. In the case of Linux apps running in the App Service, they operate within their own containers. While you do have root access within these containers, access to the underlying host operating system is restricted. Similarly, for applications running in Windows containers, you possess administrative privileges within the container itself, but access to the host operating system is restricted. This setup ensures the security and isolation of each containerized environment, maintaining the integrity of the overall system.

Please note that changing the operating system preference may require you to redeploy your application. You should also ensure that your application is compatible with the new operating system.

Regarding your question about your Azure subscription, the "Azure for Students" subscription provides you with access to a range of Azure services, including App Service.

However, the availability of certain features and services may vary depending on the subscription type and region.

Please let us know if further query or issue remains.

Answer 3

Hello Wrathalos,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A and thank you for posting your questions here.

Problem

Sequel to your questions, I understand that you are experiencing difficulty changing the operating system preference of their Azure App Service from Linux to Windows and is uncertain whether their Azure subscription ("Azure for students") might be causing the issue.

Scenarios

As a student that enrolled in a computer science program, you have been developing a web application using an Azure App Service with a Linux operating system. As the project progresses, you realize that certain features required for the application would be better supported on a Windows operating system. You have attempts to change the operating system preference within the Azure portal but encounters difficulties. Also, you are unsure if subscription type might be causing the problem, and you're seeking guidance on how to successfully switch the operating system preference and whether your "Azure for students" subscription is a limiting factor.

Solution

To solve the problem and address their questions, you will need to understand that:

In Azure App Services, the operating system your app runs on is determined by the type of App Service plan you choose when you set up the service. If you pick a Windows-based App Service plan, your app will run on Windows. Conversely, if you opt for a Linux-based plan, your app will run on Linux.

Once you've created the App Service, you can't directly switch the operating system for that service using configuration settings. If you need to run your app on a different operating system, you'll usually have to create a new App Service with the desired operating system and then move your application over to the new service.

Apps running on Linux in Azure App Service operate within their own containers, giving them root access to the container but no access to the host operating system. Similarly, apps running in Windows containers grant administrative access to the container but not to the host operating system.

If you want to change the runtime version, you can do that through the Azure portal or by using Azure CLI commands in the Cloud Shell. However, it's important to note that this is separate from changing the entire operating system.

Finally

Regarding your Azure subscription ("Azure for students"), it shouldn't be a problem for changing the operating system preference. However, it's always a good idea to check if your subscription allows for the specific features you need. In most cases, Azure for Students provides access to a wide range of Azure services, including the ability to choose between Linux and Windows App Services.

References

For more detailed information, you can check out the official Microsoft documentation on Operating system functionality in Azure App Service and OS and runtime patching cadence.

Accept Answer

I hope this is helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions. If you have a specific service you're creating in App Service or have an error code, kindly revert.

Please remember to "Accept Answer" if answer helped, so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution.

Best Regards,

Sina Salam