Azure Guest OS releases and SDK compatibility matrix
Provides you with up-to-date information about the latest Azure Guest OS releases for Cloud Services. This information helps you plan your upgrade path before a Guest OS is disabled. If you configure your roles to use automatic Guest OS updates as described in Azure Guest OS Update Settings, it isn't vital that you read this page.
Importante
This page applies to Cloud Services web and worker roles, which run on top of a Guest OS. It does not apply to IaaS Virtual Machines.
Sugerencia
Subscribe to the Guest OS Update RSS Feed to receive the most timely notification on all Guest OS changes.
Importante
Only the latest 2 versions of the Guest OS will be supported and available in the Azure portal.
Unsure about how to update your Guest OS? Check this out.
The January 2025 Guest OS released.
The November 2024 Guest OS released.
The October 2024 Guest OS released.
The September 2024 Guest OS released.
The August 2024 Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
The August Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
The August Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
The August Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
The August Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
The August Guest OS released.
The July Guest OS released.
The June Guest OS released.
The May Guest OS released.
The April Guest OS released.
The March Guest OS released.
The February Guest OS released.
The January Guest OS released.
Family 6 Guest OS (Windows Server 2019) released.
The December Guest OS released.
The November Guest OS released.
The October Guest OS released.
The September Guest OS released.
Windows Server 2022
.NET Framework installed: 4.8
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.48_202501-01 | February 5, 2025 | Post 7.51 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.47_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 7.50 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.46_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 7.49 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2024 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 |
Windows Server 2019
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.7.2
Nota
It is recommended to develop Cloud Services on Visual Studio 2019 and install the Azure Workload.
Guest OS Family 6 release enforces TLS 1.2 by explicitly disabling TLS 1.0 and 1.1 and defining a specific set of cipher suites. Learn more.
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-6.78_202501-01 | February 5, 2025 | Post 6.81 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-6.77_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 6.80 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-6.76_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 6.79 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2024 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 | |
| November 1, 2021 | January 10, 2022 | |
| October 8, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| August 27, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
| August 13, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
| July 1, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | |
| May 26, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | |
| April 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
| March 28, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | |
| February 19, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | |
| February 5, 2021 | March 28, 2021 | |
| January 15, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | |
| December 19, 2020 | February 5, 2021 | |
| November 17, 2020 | January 15, 2021 | |
| October 10, 2020 | December 19, 2020 | |
| September 5, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | |
| August 17, 2020 | October 10, 2020 | |
| August 10, 2020 | September 5, 2020 | |
| June 2, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | |
| May 4, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | |
| April 2, 2020 | June 2, 2020 | |
| March 5, 2020 | May 4, 2020 | |
| January 24, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | |
| January 8, 2020 | March 5, 2020 | |
| December 5, 2019 | January 24, 2020 | |
| November 1, 2019 | January 8, 2020 | |
| October 7, 2019 | December 5, 2019 | |
| August 4, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | |
| July 26, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | |
| July 8, 2019 | August 4, 2019 | |
| June 6, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | |
| May 7, 2019 | July 8, 2019 | |
| March 26, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | |
| March 12, 2019 | May 7, 2019 | |
| February 5, 2019 | March 26, 2019 | |
| January 24, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | |
| January 24, 2019 | February 5, 2019 |
Windows Server 2016
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
Nota
The RDP password for OS family 5 must be a minimum of 10 characters.
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.102_202401-01 | February 5, 2025 | Post 5.105 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.101_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 5.104 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.100_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 5.103 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2024 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 | |
| November 1, 2021 | January 10, 2022 | |
| October 8, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| August 27, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
| August 13, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
| July 1, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | |
| May 26, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | |
| April 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
| March 28, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | |
| February 19, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | |
| February 5, 2021 | March 28, 2021 | |
| January 15, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | |
| December 19, 2020 | February 5, 2021 | |
| November 17, 2020 | January 15, 2021 | |
| October 10, 2020 | December 19, 2020 | |
| September 5, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | |
| August 17, 2020 | October 10, 2020 | |
| August 10, 2020 | September 5, 2020 | |
| June 2, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | |
| May 4, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | |
| April 2, 2020 | June 2, 2020 | |
| March 5, 2020 | May 4, 2020 | |
| January 24, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | |
| January 8, 2020 | March 5, 2020 | |
| December 5, 2019 | January 24, 2020 | |
| November 1, 2019 | January 8, 2020 | |
| October 7, 2019 | December 5, 2019 | |
| August 4, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | |
| July 26, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | |
| July 8, 2019 | August 4, 2019 | |
| June 6, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | |
| May 7, 2019 | July 8, 2019 | |
| March 26, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | |
| March 12, 2019 | May 7, 2019 | |
| February 5, 2019 | March 26, 2019 | |
| January 7, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | |
| December 14, 2018 | February 5, 2019 | |
| November 8, 2018 | January 7, 2019 | |
| October 12, 2018 | December 14, 2018 |
Windows Server 2012 R2
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.138_202501-01 | February 5, 2025 | Post 4.141 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.137_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 4.140 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.136_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 4.139 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2024 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 2, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 | |
| November 1, 2021 | January 10, 2022 | |
| October 8, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| August 27, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
| August 13, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
| July 1, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | |
| May 26, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | |
| April 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
| March 28, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | |
| February 19, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | |
| February 5, 2021 | March 28, 2021 | |
| January 15, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | |
| December 19, 2020 | February 5, 2021 | |
| November 17, 2020 | January 15, 2021 | |
| October 10, 2020 | December 19, 2020 | |
| September 5, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | |
| August 17, 2020 | October 10, 2020 | |
| August 10, 2020 | September 5, 2020 | |
| June 2, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | |
| May 4, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | |
| April 2, 2020 | June 2, 2020 | |
| March 5, 2020 | May 4, 2020 | |
| January 24, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | |
| January 8, 2020 | March 5, 2020 | |
| December 5, 2019 | January 24, 2020 | |
| November 1, 2019 | January 8, 2020 | |
| October 7, 2019 | December 5, 2019 | |
| August 4, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | |
| July 26, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | |
| July 8, 2019 | August 4, 2019 | |
| June 6, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | |
| May 7, 2019 | July 8, 2019 | |
| March 26, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | |
| March 12, 2019 | May 7, 2019 | |
| February 5, 2019 | March 26, 2019 | |
| January 7, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | |
| December 14, 2018 | February 5, 2019 | |
| November 8, 2018 | January 7, 2019 | |
| October 12, 2018 | December 14, 2018 |
Windows Server 2012
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.146_202501-01 | February 5, 2025 | Post 3.149 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.145_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 3.148 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.144_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 3.147 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2025 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | Post 3.141 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 | |
| November 1, 2021 | January 10, 2022 | |
| October 8, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| August 27, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
| August 13, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
| July 1, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | |
| May 26, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | |
| April 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
| March 28, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | |
| February 19, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | |
| February 5, 2021 | March 28, 2021 | |
| January 15, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | |
| December 19, 2020 | February 5, 2021 | |
| November 17, 2020 | January 15, 2021 | |
| October 10, 2020 | December 19, 2020 | |
| September 5, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | |
| August 17, 2020 | October 10, 2020 | |
| August 10, 2020 | September 5, 2020 | |
| June 2, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | |
| May 4, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | |
| April 2, 2020 | June 2, 2020 | |
| March 5, 2020 | May 4, 2020 | |
| January 24, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | |
| January 8, 2020 | March 5, 2020 | |
| December 5, 2019 | January 24, 2020 | |
| November 1, 2019 | January 8, 2020 | |
| October 7, 2019 | December 5, 2019 | |
| August 4, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | |
| July 26, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | |
| July 8, 2019 | August 4, 2019 | |
| June 6, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | |
| May 7, 2019 | July 8, 2019 | |
| March 26, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | |
| March 12, 2019 | May 7, 2019 | |
| February 5, 2019 | March 26, 2019 | |
| January 7, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | |
| December 14, 2018 | February 5, 2019 | |
| November 8, 2018 | January 7, 2019 | |
| October 12, 2018 | December 14, 2018 |
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
.NET Framework installed: 3.5 (includes 2.0 and 3.0), 4.6.2
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-2.157_202411-01 | January 17, 2024 | Post 2.161 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-2.156_202410-01 | December 10, 2024 | Post 2.160 |
| September 24, 2024 | February 5, 2025 | |
| August 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | |
| July 31, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | |
| June 27, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | |
| June 1, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | |
| April 19, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | |
| April 9, 2024 | June 27, 2024 | |
| February 24, 2024 | June 1, 2024 | |
| January 22, 2024 | April 19, 2024 | |
| January 16, 2024 | April 9, 2024 | |
| December 8, 2023 | January 22, 2024 | |
| October 23, 2023 | January 16, 2024 | |
| September 25, 2023 | December 8, 2023 | |
| August 21, 2023 | October 23, 2023 | |
| July 27, 2023 | September 25, 2023 | |
| July 8, 2023 | August 21, 2023 | |
| May 19, 2023 | July 27, 2023 | |
| April 27, 2023 | July 8, 2023 | |
| March 28, 2023 | May 19, 2023 | |
| March 1, 2023 | April 27, 2023 | |
| January 31, 2023 | March 28, 2023 | |
| January 19, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
| December 12, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | |
| November 4, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | |
| September 29, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | |
| September 2, 2022 | November 4, 2022 | |
| August 3, 2022 | September 29, 2022 | |
| July 11, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
| May 26, 2022 | August 3, 2022 | |
| April 30, 2022 | July 11, 2022 | |
| March 19, 2022 | May 26, 2022 | |
| March 2, 2022 | April 30, 2022 | |
| February 11, 2022 | March 19, 2022 | |
| January 10, 2022 | March 2, 2022 | |
| November 19, 2021 | February 11, 2022 | |
| November 1, 2021 | January 10, 2022 | |
| October 8, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | |
| August 27, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
| August 13, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
| July 1, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | |
| May 26, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | |
| April 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
| March 28, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | |
| February 19, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | |
| February 5, 2021 | March 28, 2021 | |
| January 15, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | |
| December 19, 2020 | February 5, 2021 | |
| November 17, 2020 | January 15, 2021 | |
| October 10, 2020 | December 19, 2020 | |
| September 5, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | |
| August 17, 2020 | October 10, 2020 | |
| August 10, 2020 | September 5, 2020 | |
| June 2, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | |
| May 4, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | |
| April 2, 2020 | June 2, 2020 | |
| March 5, 2020 | May 4, 2020 | |
| January 24, 2020 | April 2, 2020 | |
| January 8, 2020 | March 5, 2020 | |
| December 5, 2019 | January 24, 2020 | |
| November 1, 2019 | January 8, 2020 | |
| October 7, 2019 | December 5, 2019 | |
| August 4, 2019 | November 1, 2019 | |
| July 26, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | |
| July 8, 2019 | August 4, 2019 | |
| June 6, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | |
| May 7, 2019 | July 8, 2019 | |
| March 26, 2019 | June 6, 2019 | |
| March 12, 2019 | May 7, 2019 | |
| February 5, 2019 | March 26, 2019 | |
| January 7, 2019 | March 12, 2019 | |
| December 14, 2018 | February 5, 2019 | |
| November 8, 2018 | January 7, 2019 | |
| October 12, 2018 | December 14, 2018 |
The list of patches that are included with each monthly Guest OS release is available here.
Even though the retirement policy for the Azure SDK indicates that only versions above 2.2 are supported, specific Guest OS families allow you to use earlier versions. You should always use the latest supported SDK.
| Guest OS family | Compatible SDK versions |
|---|---|
| 6 | Version 2.9.6+ |
| 5 | Version 2.9.5.1+ |
| 4 | Version 2.1+ |
| 3 | Version 1.8+ |
| 2 | Version 1.3+ |
| 1 | Version 1.0+ |
There are three dates that are important to Guest OS releases: release date, disabled date, and expiration date. A Guest OS is considered available when it is in the Portal and can be selected as the target Guest OS. When a Guest OS reaches the disabled date, Microsoft removes it from Azure. However, any Cloud Service targeting that Guest OS still operate as normal.
The window between the disabled date and the expiration date provides you with a buffer to easily transition from one Guest OS to one newer. If you're using automatic as your Guest OS, you're always on the latest version and you don't have to worry about it expiring.
When the expiration date passes, any Cloud Service still using that Guest OS stops, deletes, or force upgrades. You can read more about the retirement policy here.
The Guest OS families are based on released versions of Microsoft Windows Server. The Guest OS is the underlying operating system that Azure Cloud Services runs on. Each Guest OS has a family, version, and release number.
Guest OS family
A Windows Server operating system release that a Guest OS is based on. For example, family 3 is based on Windows Server 2012.Guest OS version
Specific to a Guest OS family image plus relevant Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) patches that are available at the date the new Guest OS version is produced. Not all patches may be included.Numbers start at 0 and increment by 1 each time a new set of updates is added. Trailing zeros are only shown if important. That is, version 2.10 is a different, much later version than version 2.1.
Guest OS release
A rerelease of a Guest OS version. A rerelease occurs if Microsoft finds issues during testing; requiring changes. The latest release always supersedes any previous releases, public or not. The Azure portal only allows users to pick the latest release for a given version. Deployments running on a previous release aren't force upgraded depending on the severity of the bug.
In the following example, 2 is the family, 12 is the version, and "rel2" is the release.
Guest OS release - 2.12 rel2
Configuration string for this release - WA-GUEST-OS-2.12_201208-02
The configuration string for a Guest OS has this same information embedded in it, along with a date showing which MSRC patches were considered for that release. In this example, MSRC patches produced for Windows Server 2008 R2 up to and including August 2012 were considered for inclusion. Only patches specifically applying to that version of Windows Server are included. For example, if an MSRC patch applies to Microsoft Office, it isn't included because that product isn't part of the Windows Server base image.
This page includes information on upcoming Guest OS Releases. Some customers want to know when a release occurs because cloud service roles set to automatically update reboot on releases. Guest OS releases typically occur 2-3 weeks after the MSRC update release that occurs on the second Tuesday of every month. New releases include all the relevant MSRC patches for each Guest OS family.
Microsoft Azure is constantly releasing updates. The Guest OS is only one such update in the pipeline. Many factors affect a release, and they're too numerous to list here. In addition, Azure runs on literally hundreds of thousands of machines. This means that it's impossible to give an exact date and time to expect your role or roles to reboot. We're working on a plan to limit or time reboots.
When a new release of the Guest OS is published, it can take time to fully propagate across Azure. As services are updated to the new Guest OS, they reboot, honoring update domains. Services set to use "Automatic" updates get a release first. After the update, you’ll see the new Guest OS version listed for your service in the Azure portal. Rereleases may occur during this period. Some versions may be deployed over longer periods of time and automatic upgrade reboots may not occur for many weeks after the official release date. Once a Guest OS is available, you can then explicitly choose that version from the portal or in your configuration file.
For a great deal of valuable information on restarts and pointers to more information on Guest and Host OS updates, see the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) blog post titled Role Instance Restarts Due to OS Upgrades.
For more information about manually updating your Guest OS, see the Guest OS retirement policy.
The Guest OS supportability and retirement policy is explained here.