Azure Linux 4.0 is Microsoft's first general-purpose Linux
boxofcables.dev
June 5, 2026
5 min read
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Summary
Azure Linux 4.0 is Microsoft’s first general-purpose Linux distribution, now available in public preview. It can be run on any Azure virtual machine and will soon be available for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
Key Takeaways
- Azure Linux 4.0 is Microsoft’s first general-purpose Linux distribution, now available for public preview and can be run on any Azure virtual machine.
- The new version is derived from Fedora and introduces standard dnf5 tooling, replacing Microsoft's previous package manager.
- Azure Linux 4.0 includes a kernel version 6.18 LTS with Azure-specific optimizations and is designed to support various Azure compute services.
- FIPS 140-3 certification for Azure Linux 4.0 is in progress, with strong security measures including SELinux support and cryptographic signing of packages.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- Microsoft's new Linux distribution, derived from CBL-Mariner, represents a significant step in their commitment to the Linux ecosystem, particularly for cloud applications.
- The integration of this Linux with Azure could streamline operations for users already invested in Microsoft's cloud services, enhancing their overall experience.
Concerns
- Many users feel that labeling this OS as 'general purpose' is misleading, as it appears to be primarily optimized for Azure rather than broader hardware compatibility.
- Concerns were raised about Microsoft's lack of genuine support for open-source projects like Wine and Proton, suggesting their contributions may not be as impactful as claimed.
- The perception that this release is merely a tuned version of existing Linux distributions without significant innovation undermines its credibility in the community.
