Retired VM Sizes Migration Guide

This migration guide is designed for users of Azure virtual machines (VMs) scheduled for retirement. This guide helps you transition to the latest VM series, helping you minimize disruptions while optimizing cost and performance. The guide covers General Purpose, Storage Optimized, and other VM series.

This guide covers:

• Recommended replacement VM series
• Detailed migration steps
• Common questions and guidance on handling RIs.

By migrating to newer VM series, you gain access to improved price-performance ratios, broader regional availability, and the latest hardware capabilities.

Recommended Replacement VM Series

*Refers to the smallest VM size in the given target VM series. Full VM specifications are available on each target VM series' product sizes page.

*Refers to the smallest VM size in the given target VM series. Full VM specifications are available on each target VM series' product sizes page.

For optimal performance and experience, we recommend using the newer v5 VM series. This ensures you have access to the latest features such as Premium Storage, Accelerated Networking, and Nested Virtualization.

Use the Azure VM size documentation to help identify suitable VM sizes.

Migration Steps

Optional: For Reserved Instance (RI) customers only

• Review your current reservations using the Azure Reservation Management page.
• If applicable, exchange existing reservations for newer VM series or trade in your reservations for an Azure Savings Plan for compute.

Identify the Target VM Size

• Evaluate your current VM's workload and performance requirements.
• Select a comparable size from the above table that meets your CPU, memory, and storage needs.

Check and Request Quota Increases

• Before resizing, verify that your subscription has sufficient quota for the target v5 VM series.
• Request more quota through the Azure portal if needed.

Resize the Virtual Machine

You can resize your VM through the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or PowerShell. Follow these steps:

1. Stop (deallocate) the VM.
2. Resize the VM to your selected v5 series.
3. Start the VM after resizing.

Refer to the full Azure VM resizing guide for more detailed instructions.

FAQ

Q: Which sizes are being retired?

To review retired sizes, see retired Azure VM sizes. View retired isolated sizes at Isolation for VMs in Azure.

Q: Why should I migrate my VM?

Migration is mandatory to avoid unexpected shutdown. Additionally, migration yields the following benefits:

• Performance: Newer VM series offer better price-to-performance ratios.
• Regional Availability: The v5 series has broader regional support across Azure data centers.
• Future-proofing: Migrate ahead of the retirement schedule to avoid disruption.

Q:How are Reserved Instance (RI) purchases and renewals changing for Dv3, Dsv3, Ev3, and Esv3?

-Dv3, Dsv3, Ev3, and Esv3 are not being retired until further notice. However, three- and one-year reserved instances discounts will no longer be available for new purchases or renewals after July 1, 2026. Azure savings plan is the primary recommendation if you plan to continue using these VM series. If you are looking to migrate from Dv3/Dsv3, recommended VM series include Dsv5, Ddsv5, Dasv5, Dadsv5, Dsv6, Ddsv6, Dasv6, and Dadsv6. For Ev3/Esv3, recommended replacements include Esv5, Edsv5, Easv5, and Eadsv5. Customers should refer to the migration steps above for guidance

Q: What will happen to my VM if I do not resize my VM to a target size within the retirement timeline?

After retirement, VMs using this size will be deallocated and stop incurring charges. The size is no longer supported or covered by an SLA; in‑memory and temporary disk data is lost, but managed disk data is preserved. To resume service, you may resize to a supported size and restart the VM.

Q: Can I recover my VM after it has been deallocated?

Yes, you can resize and restart your deallocated VM following the Azure VM resizing guide.

Q: Will VM migration disrupt pay-as-you-go or Savings Plan Pricing billing?

No. If you’re using pay-as-you-go or a savings plan, migrating to a newer VM type won't disrupt your current billing. The migration process remains seamless with no changes required in your subscription or payment plan.

Q: How can I migrate my VM if I am on Reserved Instances (RIs) with a retired VM?

If you have active Reserved Instances for any of listed the series in FAQ chart, follow these steps:

Step 1: Review Current Reservations

• Check your active RIs in the Azure portal.

Identify which RIs are expiring or will be affected by the VM retirement.

Step 2: Migrate and Manage Your RIs

Depending on your business needs, consider these options:

1. Exchange Existing Reservations:

   • Swap current RIs for a new VM series without any penalties.

   • Refer to the RI Exchange Guide

2. Trade-In for Savings Plan:

   • Convert your existing RIs into an Azure Savings Plan for compute.

   • This offers flexibility across VM families and regions.

   • Follow the Azure RI Trade-In Tutorial.

3. Purchase New RIs:

   • Buy new reservations that align with your new v5 VM series.

   • Consider shorter terms (1-year) for flexibility.