Azure Local

Azure Local
Screenshot
Initial releaseAzure Stack HCI, version 20H2
(10 December 2020)
Latest releaseAzure Local, version 23H2
(1 February 2024)
Supported platformsAMD64

Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI[1]) is a series of Windows Server-based operating systems that consist of a specialized version of the Server Core installation type that deploys and runs Windows and Linux virtual machines in a datacenter or edge devices using existing tools, processes and skill sets. It is primarily intended for hyper-converged infrastructure integration with the Microsoft Azure cloud service.[2] The series was first introduced in December 2020 after being announced on 21 July 2020.[2]

It is the spiritual successor of the free Hyper-V Server operating system, previously available in Windows versions prior to Windows Server 2022.

Servicing model[edit | edit source]

Azure Local uses an update scheme that is fundamentally similar to the Windows as a service model, where Microsoft would release feature updates to the operating system after a yearly development cycle. Updates are delivered to the operating system on a monthly cadence.[3]

List of feature updates[edit | edit source]

Name Version Based on Release date Notes
Azure Stack HCI, version 20H2 20H2 Windows Server 2019 2020-12-10 Initial release
Azure Stack HCI, version 21H2 21H2 Windows Server 2022 2021-10-12 Upgrade based on Iron codebase
Azure Stack HCI, version 22H2 22H2 2022-10-12 Cumulative update
Azure Local, version 23H2 23H2 Windows Server, version 23H2 2024-02-01 Upgrade based on Zinc codebase
Azure Local, version 24H2 24H2 Windows Server 2025 TBA Upgrade based on Germanium codebase
Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Current stable version
Latest preview version
Future release

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Kohli, Alpa; Manheim, Seth. Renaming Azure Stack HCI to Azure Local, Microsoft Learn. 10 December 2024.
  2. Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Alqinawi, Tanur. Deliver hybrid cloud capabilities with the next generation of Azure Stack HCI, Microsoft Azure Blog. 21 July 2020.
  3. Microsoft. Updates and upgrades - Azure Stack HCI. 21 July 2020.