AKS Updates
Latest Azure Kubernetes Service updates, sourced from the official Azure Updates feed. Use this page to track new AKS release features at a glance.
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Retirement: Azure Key Vault Secrets Provider Extension for Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes clusters
The Azure Key Vault Secrets Provider Extension for Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes will be retired on October 9, 2027.Customers currently using the extension should plan to migrate to the Azure Key Vault Secret Store Extension before the retirement date. The
- Launched
Generally Available: Managed StandardV2 NAT Gateway for AKS
AKS will now provision and manage a StandardV2 NAT Gateway for clusters using an AKS-managed virtual network.StandardV2 is now the default managed NAT Gateway SKU for new clusters in supported regions when using the managedNATGateway outbound type. Standa
- Launched
Generally Available: Anyscale on Azure
Anyscale on Azure is now Generally Available. Anyscale on Azure is a managed platform for running distributed Python workloads on Ray. It deploys directly onto your Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster and integrates with the Azure services your team al
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Retirement: Pod name dimension in AKS pod platform metrics
Beginning September 30, 2027, support for the pod name dimension on the following Azure Monitor platform metrics is retiring, and these metrics are transitioning to aggregate pod counters:Number of pods by phase (kube_pod_status_phase)Number of pods in Re
- In preview
Public Preview: AKS on bare metal now on Ubuntu
Running Kubernetes on-premises often means adding a virtualization layer, adapting to unfamiliar infrastructure, or giving up control over the hardware and software your applications depend on. For AI workloads, these tradeoffs can limit access to local d
- In preview
Public Preview: Ubuntu 26.04 support in AKS
Teams running Ubuntu node pools on AKS need to stay current with Ubuntu LTS releases, but each OS transition can introduce package footprint, security, and compatibility concerns. Ubuntu 26.04 support introduces the Ubuntu2604 OS SKU using Ubuntu Minimal
- In preview
Public Preview: Flex Nodes for AKS
Flex Nodes for AKS is a deployment option for application and platform teams to use hybrid and edge infrastructure as connected worker nodes to an AKS control plane in Azure. Flex Nodes provide a consistent Kubernetes control plane while enabling teams to
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Retirement: Azure Linux with OS Guard in Azure Kubernetes Service
Support for Azure Linux with OS Guard in Azure Kubernetes Service will end on December 10, 2026. Azure Container Linux is the replacement for Azure Linux with OS Guard (preview). Starting on December 10, 2026:Users won’t be able to create new Azure Linux
- Launched
Generally Available: Windows Server 2025 on AKS
Organizations running Windows-based workloads on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) face increasing pressure to modernize as support timelines for older Windows Server versions approach retirement. To help customers prepare, AKS now offers GA support for Wind
- Launched
Generally Available: Artifact Streaming on AKS
You can now accelerate your containerized workloads on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) using Azure Container Registry (ACR) with Artifact streaming. Artifact streaming will allow you to scale your workloads without having to fully wait for images to be pul