migrate to new Marketplace Windows Server 2022 images under the new offer by 9 June 2026

Hi,

You’re likely referring to the retirement of older Windows Server 2022 Azure Marketplace images and the requirement to move to the new “Windows Server 2022” offer before 9 June 2026.

Since you already have the recommended image, let me explain what’s happening, how to confirm you’re compliant, and why you’re all set.

What is this migration about?

Microsoft deprecated several legacy Windows Server 2022 Marketplace images (often the “smalldisk” variants or older offer plans). The deprecated images will no longer receive updates or support after the deadline.

The new offer refers to the current, actively maintained Windows Server 2022 images, typically these two:

Publisher Offer SKU (plan)

MicrosoftWindowsServer WindowsServer 2022-datacenter

MicrosoftWindowsServer WindowsServer 2022-datacenter-azure-edition

If your VM is deployed using one of these exact SKUs, you are already on the new offer and no migration is needed.

“I already have the suggested image” – what does that mean?

It means you’ve already deployed a VM (or VMs) from the recommended image. If that image is indeed one of the two above, you’re fully compliant. The retirement only affects VMs still using the deprecated images, such as:

· 2022-datacenter-smalldisk

· 2022-datacenter-core-smalldisk

· or other older plans (often with “-smalldisk” or legacy billing methods)

Because you already have the new image, your VM will continue to receive security updates and support beyond the June 2026 cutoff.

How can you double-check?

To be absolutely sure your VM uses the correct image, you can check the image reference:

Azure Portal

1. Navigate to your VM.
2. Under Settings → Properties, look at the Image field. It should show something like: Windows Server 2022 Datacenter or Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. If it says “smalldisk” anywhere, it’s the old one.

Azure CLI

az vm show --name YourVMName --resource-group YourRG --query "storageProfile.imageReference"

You should see output similar to:

{

  "publisher": "MicrosoftWindowsServer",

  "offer": "WindowsServer",

  "sku": "2022-datacenter",

  "version": "latest"

}

An SKU of 2022-datacenter-azure-edition is also fine.

PowerShell

$vm = Get-AzVM -Name "YourVMName" -ResourceGroupName "YourRG"

$vm.StorageProfile.ImageReference

If the sku value is 2022-datacenter or 2022-datacenter-azure-edition, you’re on the new offer.

What if you used a custom image or a different SKU?

The migration only applies to VMs that were originally created from one of the deprecated Marketplace images.

· Custom images (e.g., from a generalized VM) are not directly covered by this Marketplace retirement, but if they were based on a deprecated image, you should rebuild them from a new one.

· Azure Hybrid Benefit / License mobility is built into the new offer. If you already had AHUB enabled, it carries over.

Summary

· No action needed if your VM already uses the new offer’s image (2022-datacenter or 2022-datacenter-azure-edition).

· The deadline (9 June 2026) is a firm cut-off for the deprecated images only.

· You can verify compliance by checking the image SKU in the portal, CLI, or PowerShell.

If you’d like, I can show you how to migrate an old VM (in case you later find one that isn’t compliant) without rebuilding from scratch.