Microsoft to Retire Azure Virtual Machines (Classic) on September 1, 2023

As advancements in cloud technology continue at an unprecedented pace, service providers often need to make significant changes to stay at the forefront. One such transformational move is on the horizon for Microsoft Azure users.

Say Goodbye to Azure Virtual Machines (Classic)

Microsoft has officially shared that Azure Virtual Machines (Classic) will take its curtain call on September 1, 2023. In the spirit of moving forward, Microsoft has made clear that no extensions will be provided beyond this date. For users of this service, timely action is paramount. After the stipulated date, deploying or operating your IaaS VMs using Azure Service Manager will become a thing of the past.

Navigating the Transition: Migrate to Azure Resource Manager

Migration might sound like a daunting task, but with a methodical approach, it's a breeze. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Go to the Virtual Machines (Classic) Portal Blade
2. Under Subscriptions, select all available subscriptions to get full list of affected classic VMs.
3. Click on Migrate to ARM.
4. Click on Validate. If validate failed, use the suggested methods in the error messages or in the Migration Overview document to fix the errors.
5. Click on Prepare. If prepare failed, use the suggested methods in the error messages or in the Migration Overview document to fix the errors.
6. View migrated virtual machines at Virtual Machines Portal Blade and Test their operation.
7. (Optional) Click on Abort to rollback migration.
8. Click on Commit. Commit finalises the migration and cannot be rolled back.

Additional Resources

Azure Classic VM retirement announcement

Azure Resource Manager overview

How the retirement affects your workloads

How to migrate Classic VMs to Azure Resource Manager

Transitioning to new platforms or making major updates can sometimes come with its set of challenges. We understand that, and that's why our dedicated team is always on standby to assist. If you're encountering any hiccups or need guidance during this migration phase, do not hesitate to reach out to us.