{
  "slug": "azure-aks-azure-linux-os-guard-retirement",
  "title": "Azure Kubernetes Service: Azure Linux with OS Guard retirement",
  "summary": "End of support date for Azure Linux with OS Guard in Azure Kubernetes Service: 10 Dec 2026. From that date, new Azure Linux with OS Guard node pools cannot be created and existing ones get no security patches. AKS removes the node images on March 10, 2027.",
  "cloud": "azure",
  "service": "Azure Kubernetes Service",
  "service_slug": "aks",
  "category": "os_image",
  "type": "retirement",
  "announced_date": "2026-09-11",
  "effective_date": "2026-12-10",
  "effective_precision": "day",
  "impact": "From 10 Dec 2026, new Azure Linux with OS Guard (preview) node pools cannot be created, AKS does not produce new node images for affected node pools, and existing node pools do not receive security patches. On March 10, 2027, AKS removes the Azure Linux with OS Guard node images. After the images are removed, scaling and remediation operations, including reimage and redeploy operations, fail for affected node pools.",
  "migration_path": "1. Option one: migrate an existing Azure Linux with OS Guard node pool in place by following the [Migrate nodes to Azure Container Linux for Azure Kubernetes Service documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-linux/tutorial-migrate-azure-container-linux-aks). This operation performs a standard node image upgrade.\n2. Option two: create a new Azure Container Linux node pool, migrate and validate workloads, and then delete the Azure Linux with OS Guard node pool. Follow [Add Azure Container Linux node pools and remove existing node pools](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-linux/tutorial-migrate-azure-container-linux-aks#add-acl-node-pools-and-remove-existing-node-pools).\n3. For other available options, see the [AKS node operating system](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/aks/core-aks-concepts#nodes-and-node-pools:~:text=in%20AKS.-,OS,-AKS%20supports%20two).",
  "replacement": "Azure Container Linux",
  "affected_versions": [],
  "source_url": "https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=571257",
  "extra_source_urls": [
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-linux/tutorial-migrate-azure-container-linux-aks",
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-linux/tutorial-migrate-azure-container-linux-aks#add-acl-node-pools-and-remove-existing-node-pools",
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/aks/core-aks-concepts#nodes-and-node-pools:~:text=in%20AKS.-,OS,-AKS%20supports%20two",
    "https://github.com/Azure/AKS"
  ],
  "vendor_ref": "571257",
  "last_checked_at": "2026-11-12T09:55:19.345Z",
  "created_at": "2026-11-13T13:36:44.208Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-13T13:36:44.208Z",
  "url": "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-azure-linux-os-guard-retirement",
  "short_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/i/37",
  "markdown_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-azure-linux-os-guard-retirement.md",
  "json_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-azure-linux-os-guard-retirement.json",
  "estate_check": null,
  "source_note": null
}