Microsoft has launched the public preview of Azure Linux 4.0 at the Build conference, expanding its Fedora-derived distribution for use with Azure Virtual Machines, VM Scale Sets, and container images. This new version features an updated kernel, a rewritten package manager, and enhanced security measures, including SELinux enforcing by default and post-quantum cryptography support. Azure Linux is available for free on the Azure platform, with users only paying for compute, storage, and networking resources, and offers two variants: a general-purpose edition and an immutable container version. Early adopters, such as Databricks and LinkedIn, have successfully migrated to Azure Linux, reporting significant performance improvements and zero customer-facing incidents during the transition

Microsoft Launches Azure Linux 4.0 Public Preview for VMs and Containers at Build

Microsoft announced the public preview of Azure Linux 4.0 at Build, expanding its first-party Fedora-derived distribution to Azure VMs, VM Scale Sets, and container images starting today. The new release features a kernel 6.18 LTS, a rewritten dnf5 package manager, and OpenSSL 3.5 with post-quantum cryptography, all backed by a security model that includes SELinux enforcing by default and full supply chain control. Azure Linux is free on Azure with no OS licensing cost, offering a general-purpose edition and an immutable container variant already validated by partners like Databricks, who migrated over 100,000 VMs with zero customer-facing incidents. 

Microsoft Launches Azure Linux 4.0 Public Preview for VMs and Containers at Build @ Linux Compatible