Microsoft Azure has announced the official retirement of DCsv2-series virtual machines (VMs) effective June 30, 2026. These VMs, which were built to support Intel SGX-based confidential computing workloads, will no longer be available for use after that date. If you are currently running workloads on DCsv2-series VMs, it’s essential to plan your migration strategy in advance to avoid service disruptions and ensure continued support for your confidential computing applications.
What’s Happening?
- Retirement Date: June 30, 2026
- Post-Retirement Impact: DCsv2-series VMs will be unavailable for deployment or use
- Starting July 1, 2025: Capacity restrictions will begin, limiting the availability of these VMs
Why This Matters
DCsv2-series VMs leverage Intel SGX technology to provide trusted execution environments, ideal for confidential workloads. Their deprecation marks a shift in Azure’s focus toward newer, more scalable, and secure confidential computing solutions.
Migration Options
Depending on your workload architecture and requirements, Microsoft offers several paths forward:
Continue with Intel SGX Technology
If your applications rely on Intel SGX enclave-based security, migrate to:
- DCdsv3-series VMs
These are the direct successors to DCsv2 and continue to support Intel SGX.
Shift to VM-Based Confidential Computing
For applications built using a VM-based programming model, consider:
- DCasv5, DCadsv5, ECasv5, ECadsv5-series VMs
- DCasv6, ECasv6-series VMs (currently in preview)
- DCesv6, ECesv6-series Confidential VMs (CVMs) (currently in preview)
These series provide enhanced performance, memory options, and confidential computing capabilities powered by AMD SEV-SNP or Intel TDX.
🐳 Move Containerized Workloads
For container-based deployments, look into:
- Azure Confidential Container Instances (C-ACI)
- Virtual Nodes for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) – C-VN2
These services offer the same confidentiality guarantees within a containerized and scalable infrastructure.
💡 Note: Pricing and billing may change when migrating to newer VM SKUs. Please refer to the Azure Virtual Machines pricing page for accurate cost estimates.
Required Action
To ensure business continuity:
- Migrate all DCsv2 workloads by June 30, 2026
- Plan ahead to accommodate capacity restrictions starting July 1, 2025
- Review the migration guide (link to official Microsoft guide) for step-by-step instructions
Support and Resources
- Have questions or facing issues? Get help from Microsoft Q&A
- Need one-on-one assistance? Use your Azure support plan to open a support request
- Stay informed about service retirements with the Azure Retirement Workbook
(Note: retirements may take up to two weeks to reflect in the workbook)
Final Thoughts
As Azure continues to innovate in the realm of confidential computing, upgrading to modern and secure VM series ensures your applications stay resilient, performant, and compliant. Don’t wait until the last moment – begin your migration today to minimize disruption and take full advantage of Azure’s next-gen security offerings. Thanks.,
P.S. Modern AI tool has been used for creating some of the content. Technical validation and proofing are done by the author.