---
slug: "azure-aks-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support"
title: "Azure Kubernetes Service: Network Policy Manager on Windows nodes end of support"
summary: "End of support date for Azure Network Policy Manager (NPM) on Windows nodes in AKS: 30 Sep 2026. Microsoft points to alternatives such as Network Security Groups on the node level or Project Calico."
cloud: "azure"
service: "Azure Kubernetes Service"
service_slug: "aks"
category: "feature"
type: "end_of_support"
announced_date: "2025-10-07"
effective_date: "2026-09-30"
effective_precision: "day"
replacement: null
affected_versions: []
source_url: "https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=500273"
extra_source_urls: ["https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/concepts-network#network-security-groups","https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-portal/supportability/how-to-create-azure-support-request"]
vendor_ref: "500273"
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-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support"
short_url: "https://eolwatch.dev/i/10"
markdown_url: "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support.md"
json_url: "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support.json"
source_note: null
---

# Azure Kubernetes Service: Network Policy Manager on Windows nodes end of support

End of support date for Azure Network Policy Manager (NPM) on Windows nodes in AKS: 30 Sep 2026. Microsoft points to alternatives such as Network Security Groups on the node level or Project Calico.

- Effective date: 30 Sep 2026
- Cloud: [Azure](https://eolwatch.dev/cloud/azure.md)
- Service: [Azure Kubernetes Service](https://eolwatch.dev/services/azure/aks.md)
- Type: End of support
- Category: [Feature](https://eolwatch.dev/categories/features.md)
- Replacement: Not stated by vendor
- Announced: 7 Oct 2025
- Official source: [azure.microsoft.com](https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=500273)
- Last checked: 12 Nov 2026

## What breaks

Microsoft ends support for Azure Network Policy Manager (NPM) on Windows nodes in AKS on the end of support date. The existing Azure Network Policy Manager experience for Windows nodes is no longer supported from that date. Microsoft points to alternative options for a setup to continue to receive support, security updates and deployment compatibility.

## What to do

1. Run the Azure Resource Graph query linked in the source to view impacted resources.
2. Explore alternative options before the end of support date, such as [Network Security Groups (NSGs) on the node level](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/concepts-network#network-security-groups) or open-source tools like [Project Calico](https://www.tigera.io/tigera-products/calico/).

## Replacement

Not stated by vendor.

## Sources

- [Official source](https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=500273) (azure.microsoft.com, Official)
- [Additional source](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/concepts-network#network-security-groups) (learn.microsoft.com, Official)
- [Additional source](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-portal/supportability/how-to-create-azure-support-request) (learn.microsoft.com, Official)

Last checked against the first source in this list on 12 Nov 2026.

Page: https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support | JSON: https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-aks-network-policy-manager-windows-end-of-support.json

The text on this page is drafted with AI assistance from the vendor's text, checked against the official source and approved by a person before it is published.