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2026-09 - 4

2026 (12)

September (12)

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: Microsoft SQL Agent Skills

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Microsoft SQL Agent Skills are in public preview. They provide product-specific guidance for AI agents used to build, operate, and migrate SQL workloads across Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Database container, and SQL Server migration scenarios.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: Long-term retention (LTR) v2 for Azure Database for PostgreSQL

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

LTR v2 for Azure Database for PostgreSQL is in public preview. It replaces LTR v1’s logical pg_dump/pg_restore backups with physical snapshot-based backups integrated with Azure Backup Vaults.

azure: Retirement: Microsoft HPC Pack

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Microsoft is retiring all versions of HPC Pack. It is entering a one-year retirement period with limited retirement-only support, and end of support is August 27, 2027.

azure: Retirement: Azure IoT Central will be retired on September 20, 2029

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Azure IoT Central will be retired on September 20, 2029. Microsoft says you can keep using it until then, but recommends starting transition planning early as Azure IoT evolves.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: Support for large volume breakthrough mode

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Azure NetApp Files large volume breakthrough mode is now generally available. It adds support for volumes up to 2 PiB and throughput up to 80 GiB/s, depending on workload characteristics.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: Storage with cool access enhancement

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Azure NetApp Files now supports QoS updates with cool access enabled on Premium and Ultra service levels, improving how performance and cost are balanced for mixed hot and cool workloads. Throughput automatically adjusts as data moves to cool storage to maintain hot-tier performance behavior.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview : Microsoft entra kerberos authentication for Azure NetApp Files

Azure Updates

2026-09-29

Azure NetApp Files now supports Microsoft Entra Kerberos authentication for SMB volumes in public preview. It allows hybrid and cloud-only users to authenticate via Microsoft Entra ID using cloud-issued Kerberos tickets.

github: GPT-6.1 Sol in GitHub Copilot

GitHub

2026-09-29

GPT-6.1 Sol is now generally available and rolling out in GitHub Copilot. GitHub says it can be used for agentic coding and terminal workflows with strong multistep performance.

security: ​​Beyond source code: A path to the keys to the kingdom

Microsoft Security Blog

2026-09-29

Microsoft describes how Storm-3068 used a compromised identity to expand access into cloud environments, moving beyond source code exposure to broader infrastructure compromise. The post focuses on defensive steps for protecting identities, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud infrastructure.

security: Star Blizzard refines phishing and malware delivery with the RedFlick technique

Microsoft Security Blog

2026-09-29

Microsoft says it has observed Russian state actor Star Blizzard since January 2026 using large-scale phishing, compromised website accounts, and a new malware delivery method it tracks as RedFlick. The update focuses on the actor’s improved detection evasion and delivery techniques.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: Vector search and vector indexes in Azure SQL

Azure Updates

2026-09-28

Vector search and vector indexes are now generally available in Azure SQL Database. The update adds CREATE VECTOR INDEX and VECTOR_SEARCH T-SQL support for efficient approximate nearest neighbor searches in AI scenarios.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: Azure SQL Dev Hub

Azure Updates

2026-09-28

Azure SQL Dev Hub is in public preview as a central starting point for building applications with Azure SQL. It provides guidance for connecting from .NET, Python, Node.js, and Java, and supports development workflows including AI agents.