What's new with SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines?

  • Article

Applies to: SQL Server on Azure VM

When you deploy an Azure virtual machine (VM) with SQL Server installed on it, either manually, or through a built-in image, you can use Azure features to improve your experience. This article summarizes the documentation changes associated with new features and improvements in the recent releases of SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs). To learn more about SQL Server on Azure VMs, see the overview.

For updates made in previous years, see the What's new archive.

Note

Microsoft Entra ID was previously known as Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).

Preview

The following table lists the features of SQL Server on Azure VMs that are currently in preview.

Feature Details
Modernization Advisor Use the Modernization Advisor in the Azure portal to help you determine if migrating to Azure SQL Managed Instance saves you money or optimizes performance.

General availability (GA)

The following table lists features of SQL Server on Azure VMs that have been made generally available (GA) within the last 12 months:

Changes Month Details
Azure Update Manager April 2024 Automatically patch multiple SQL Server VMs at scale with the Azure Update Manager integrated in to the SQL virtual machines resource in the Azure portal, including Cumulative Updates.

October 2024

Changes Details
Microsoft Entra authentication in any cloud It's now possible to configure Microsoft Entra authentication for your SQL Server on Azure VMs in any cloud. Review Microsoft Entra authentication to learn more.

Archive

For updates made in previous years, see the What's new archive.

Additional resources

Windows VMs:

Linux VMs: