Although hotpatching has been available for the longest time for Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition, and it will continue without charge, these security updates for Windows Server 2025 users will cost $1.50 per CPU core per month. Yes, you read that right, per core.
So its not being charged for everyone, only those not running on Azure (which is a huge number of folks). However, Microsoft giving preferential terms to MS software running in Azure instead of elsewhere isn’t new. They’ve been doing this for Windows and MS SQL server for years though Azure Hybrid Benefit.
So its not being charged for everyone, only those not running on Azure (which is a huge number of folks). However, Microsoft giving preferential terms to MS software running in Azure
They probably bundle it into the cost for Azure customers. That’s really not Azure-specific; any server provider could offer complementary hotpatching if they bundle it into their Windows licensing cost.
So its not being charged for everyone, only those not running on Azure (which is a huge number of folks). However, Microsoft giving preferential terms to MS software running in Azure instead of elsewhere isn’t new. They’ve been doing this for Windows and MS SQL server for years though Azure Hybrid Benefit.
They probably bundle it into the cost for Azure customers. That’s really not Azure-specific; any server provider could offer complementary hotpatching if they bundle it into their Windows licensing cost.
sounds like microsoft hasn’t learned their lesson with what constitutes legally anti competitive behaviour