{
  "slug": "azure-arc-aks-on-windows-server-current-architecture-retirement",
  "title": "Azure Arc: AKS on Windows Server 2019 and 2022 current architecture retirement",
  "summary": "Retirement date for the current architecture of Azure Kubernetes Service on Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022: 27 Mar 2028. From that date, existing clusters get no support or updates, and the current architecture cannot be deployed, upgraded or scaled.",
  "cloud": "azure",
  "service": "Azure Arc",
  "service_slug": "arc",
  "category": "feature",
  "type": "retirement",
  "announced_date": "2025-03-28",
  "effective_date": "2028-03-27",
  "effective_precision": "day",
  "impact": "From 27 Mar 2028, existing Azure Kubernetes Service clusters on the current architecture on Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 no longer get support, security updates or quality updates. Deploying, upgrading and scaling the current architecture on Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 is no longer possible. Microsoft also asks customers with clusters on Azure Local, version 22H2 to replace them. Azure Local, version 22H2 has its own end of service date of May 31, 2025.",
  "migration_path": "1. [Deploy a supported version of Azure Local](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-local/overview), which is required before deploying Azure Kubernetes Service clusters on Azure Local.\n2. Replace existing Azure Kubernetes Service clusters on Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022 or Azure Local, version 22H2 with Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Local, version 23H2 or later.\n3. If you run AKS on Azure Local, version 22H2, [update to the latest version of Azure Local](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-local/upgrade/about-upgrades-23h2) to continue receiving updates.\n4. Review the pricing changes on the [pricing page](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/azure-stack/aks-hci/).",
  "replacement": "Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Local, version 23H2 or later",
  "affected_versions": [
    "Windows Server 2019",
    "Windows Server 2022"
  ],
  "source_url": "https://azure.microsoft.com/updates?id=485893",
  "extra_source_urls": [
    "https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/azure-stack/aks-hci/",
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-local/overview",
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-local/upgrade/about-upgrades-23h2"
  ],
  "vendor_ref": "485893",
  "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-arc-aks-on-windows-server-current-architecture-retirement",
  "short_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/i/9b",
  "markdown_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-arc-aks-on-windows-server-current-architecture-retirement.md",
  "json_url": "https://eolwatch.dev/items/azure-arc-aks-on-windows-server-current-architecture-retirement.json",
  "estate_check": null
}