Microsoft released Azure Linux 3.0.20250910 as the newest version of this in-house Linux distribution used by Azure and other services. Azure Linux 3.0 has long been using the Linux 6.6 LTS kernel while now Linux 6.12 LTS is a new option focused on providing better hardware enablement support.

Azure Linux is finally offering Linux 6.12 LTS as a hardware enablement "HWE" kernel option for working nicer with newer hardware platforms. Linux 6.6 LTS continues to be available too. This comes as Linux 6.12 is approaching one year of age and with the upcoming Linux 6.18 kernel expected to become this year's Long Term Support version.

Besides the Linux 6.12.40.1 kernel-hwe option, this month's Azure Linux 3.0 release continues building out its new OS Guard functionality . Azure Linux 3.0.20250910 also has a number of fixes, systemd-boot is now signed for its AArch64 package, a number of packages are updated for security fixes, and various other minor changes.

Downloads and more details on the Azure Linux 3.0 September 2025 release via GitHub .