Microsoft released Azure Local 2610 on October 22, 2026. The new solution version is 12.2610.1004.41, and Microsoft says new deployments now use this build. It replaces the 2609 release (12.2609.1003.7, September 11, 2026) as the current version in our VMware alternatives tracker. The headline change: confidential VMs on AMD hardware are now generally available.
Who this affects
Teams already running Azure Local, and teams weighing it as a landing zone for VMware workloads. If you are comparing Microsoft’s options, our Hyper-V vs VMware guide covers how Azure Local fits next to Windows Server 2025.
What to do now
- Plan the update. Microsoft says an Azure Local instance that is not updated within six months is no longer supported.
- Check your OS drivers. In 2610, all new and existing deployments run OS version 26100.33650, and you need drivers compatible with that build or with Windows Server 2025.
- If your hardware uses Solution Builder Extension updates, expect the release after your vendor validates it. Microsoft says this typically takes a few weeks.
Key details
| Item | Before (2609) | After (2610) |
|---|---|---|
| Solution version | 12.2609.1003.7 | 12.2610.1004.41 |
| Release date | September 11, 2026 | October 22, 2026 |
| OS build | 26100.33438 | 26100.33650 |
| Confidential VMs (AMD SEV-SNP, Genoa) | Not GA | Generally available |
| Security baseline | 408 settings | 429 settings |
| Public to private path move | Not available | Preview |
| Arc gateway after deployment | Not available | Preview |
| L1 host fee (US East) | $9.90 per core per month | $9.90 per core per month (unchanged) |
The expanded security baseline applies automatically to new deployments and to instances updated with this release, extending coverage against CIS and DISA STIG recommendations. For the bigger timeline behind VMware exits, see vSphere 8 support ends October 2027, and for how KVM-based platforms compare, see KVM vs VMware.
Source
- Microsoft Learn: Azure Local release information
- Microsoft Learn: What’s new in Azure Local
- Azure Local pricing
Checked against Microsoft’s Azure Local release information page on October 25, 2026.