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.
Important
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.
Tip
Subscribe to the [Guest OS Update RSS Feed] to receive the most timely notification on all Guest OS changes.
Important
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.
News updates
Sep 24, 2024
The September 2024 Guest OS released.
Aug 27, 2024
The August 2024 Guest OS released.
July 31, 2024
The July Guest OS released.
June 27, 2024
The June Guest OS released.
June 1, 2024
The May Guest OS released.
April 19, 2024
The April Guest OS released.
April 9, 2024
The March Guest OS released.
February 24, 2024
The February Guest OS released.
January 22, 2024
The January Guest OS released.
January 16, 2023
The December Guest OS released.
December 8, 2023
The November Guest OS released.
October 23, 2023
The October Guest OS released.
September 26, 2023
The September Guest OS released.
August 21, 2023
The August Guest OS released.
July 27, 2023
The July Guest OS released.
July 8, 2023
The June Guest OS released.
May 19, 2023
The May Guest OS released.
April 27, 2023
The April Guest OS released.
March 28, 2023
The March Guest OS released.
March 1, 2023
The February Guest OS released.
January 31, 2023
The January Guest OS released.
January 19, 2023
The December Guest OS released.
December 12, 2022
The November Guest OS released.
November 4, 2022
The October Guest OS released.
September 29, 2022
The September Guest OS released.
September 2, 2022
The August Guest OS released.
August 3, 2022
The July Guest OS released.
July 11, 2022
The June Guest OS released.
May 26, 2022
The May Guest OS released.
April 30, 2022
The April Guest OS released.
March 19, 2022
The March Guest OS released.
March 2, 2022
The February Guest OS released.
February 11, 2022
The January Guest OS released.
January 10, 2022
The December Guest OS released.
November 19, 2021
The November Guest OS released.
November 1, 2021
The October Guest OS released.
October 8, 2021
The September Guest OS released.
August 27, 2021
The August Guest OS released.
August 13, 2021
The July Guest OS released.
July 1, 2021
The June Guest OS released.
May 26, 2021
The May Guest OS released.
April 30, 2021
The April Guest OS released.
March 28, 2021
The March Guest OS released.
February 19, 2021
The February Guest OS released.
February 5, 2021
The January Guest OS released.
January 15, 2021
The December Guest OS released.
December 19, 2020
The November Guest OS released.
November 17, 2020
The October Guest OS released.
October 10, 2020
The September Guest OS released.
September 5, 2020
The August Guest OS released.
August 17, 2020
The July Guest OS released.
August 10, 2020
The June Guest OS released.
June 2, 2020
The May Guest OS released.
May 4, 2020
The April Guest OS released.
April 2, 2020
The March Guest OS released.
March 5, 2020
The February Guest OS released.
January 24, 2020
The January Guest OS released.
January 8, 2020
The December Guest OS released.
December 5, 2019
The November Guest OS released.
November 1, 2019
The October Guest OS released.
October 7, 2019
The September Guest OS released.
September 4, 2019
The August Guest OS released.
July 26, 2019
The July Guest OS released.
July 8, 2019
The June Guest OS released.
June 6, 2019
The May Guest OS released.
May 7, 2019
The April Guest OS released.
March 26, 2019
The March Guest OS released.
March 12, 2019
The February Guest OS released.
February 5, 2019
The January Guest OS released.
January 24, 2019
Family 6 Guest OS (Windows Server 2019) released.
January 7, 2019
The December Guest OS released.
December 14, 2018
The November Guest OS released.
November 8, 2018
The October Guest OS released.
October 12, 2018
The September Guest OS released.
Releases
Family 7 releases
Windows Server 2022
.NET Framework installed: 4.8
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.45_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 7.48 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.44_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 7.47 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-7.43_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 7.46 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 7.45 | |
| 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 |
Family 6 releases
Windows Server 2019
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.7.2
Note
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-6.75_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 6.78 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-6.74_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 6.77 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-6.73_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 6.76 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 6.75 | |
| 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 |
Family 5 releases
Windows Server 2016
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
Note
The RDP password for OS family 5 must be a minimum of 10 characters.
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.99_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 5.102 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.98_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 5.101 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-5.97_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 5.100 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 5.99 | |
| 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 |
Family 4 releases
Windows Server 2012 R2
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.135_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 4.138 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.134_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 4.137 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-4.133_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 4.136 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 4.135 | |
| 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 |
Family 3 releases
Windows Server 2012
.NET Framework installed: 3.5, 4.6.2
| Configuration string | Release date | Disable date |
|---|---|---|
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.143_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 3.146 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.142_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 3.145 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-3.141_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 3.144 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 3.143 | |
| 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 |
Family 2 releases
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-2.155_202409-01 | September 24, 2024 | Post 2.158 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-2.154_202408-01 | August 27, 2024 | Post 2.157 |
| WA-GUEST-OS-2.153_202407-01 | July 31, 2024 | Post 2.156 |
| June 27, 2024 | Post 2.155 | |
| 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 |
MSRC patch updates
The list of patches that are included with each monthly Guest OS release is available here.
SDK support
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+ |
Guest OS release information
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.
Guest OS family-version explanation
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.
Guest OS system update process
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.
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.
Guest OS supportability and retirement policy
The Guest OS supportability and retirement policy is explained here.