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--- title: Azure support for Generation 2 VMs description: Overview of Azure support for Generation 2 VMs author: AjKundnani ms.service: azure-virtual-machines ms.subservice: sizes ms.topic: how-to ms.date: 09/25/2026 ms.author: ajkundna # Customer intent: "As a cloud architect, I want to understand the benefits and limitations of Generation 2 VMs in Azure, so that I can make informed decisions when designing scalable and secure virtual machine solutions for my organization." --- # Support for Generation 2 VMs on Azure **Applies to:** :heavy_check_mark: Linux VMs :heavy_check_mark: Windows VMs :heavy_check_mark: Flexible scale sets :heavy_check_mark: Uniform scale sets Support for Generation 2 virtual machines (VMs) is now available on Azure. You can also upgrade existing Generation 1 virtual machines to Generation 2 with Trusted launch. Review the considerations on this page and the [upgrade guidance](trusted-launch-existing-vm-gen-1.md) before choosing or upgrading a generation. Generation 2 VMs support key features that aren't supported in Generation 1 VMs. These features include increased memory, Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX), and virtualized persistent memory (vPMEM). Generation 2 VMs running on-premises, have some features that aren't supported in Azure yet. For more information, see the [Features and capabilities](#features-and-capabilities) section. Generation 2 VMs use the new UEFI-based boot architecture rather than the BIOS-based architecture used by Generation 1 VMs. Compared to Generation 1 VMs, Generation 2 VMs might have improved boot and installation times. For an overview of Generation 2 VMs and some of the differences between Generation 1 and Generation 2, see [Should I create a Generation 1 or 2 virtual machine in Hyper-V?](/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/should-i-create-a-generation-1-or-2-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v). ## Generation 2 VM sizes Azure now offers Generation 2 support for the following selected VM series: | Type | Generation 2 supported size families | Not supported size families |:--- |:--- |:--- | | [General purpose](./sizes/overview.md#general-purpose) | [B-family](./sizes/general-purpose/b-family.md), [D-family](./sizes/general-purpose/d-family.md) | [A-family](./sizes/general-purpose/a-family.md) | [Compute optimized](./sizes/overview.md#compute-optimized) | [F-family](./sizes/compute-optimized/f-family.md), [Fx-family](./sizes/compute-optimized/fx-family.md) | | [Memory optimized](./sizes/overview.md#memory-optimized) | [E-family](./sizes/memory-optimized/e-family.md), [Eb-family](./sizes/memory-optimized/eb-family.md), [M-family](./sizes/memory-optimized/m-family.md) | | [Storage optimized](./sizes/overview.md#storage-optimized) | [L-family](./sizes/storage-optimized/l-family.md) | | [GPU](./sizes/overview.md#gpu-accelerated) | [NC-family](./sizes/gpu-accelerated/nc-family.md), [ND-family](./sizes/gpu-accelerated/nv-family.md), [NV-family](./sizes/gpu-accelerated/nv-family.md) | [NC-series](nc-series.md), [NV-series](nv-series.md) | [High Performance Compute](./sizes/overview.md#high-performance-compute) |[HBv2-series](./sizes/high-performance-compute/hbv2-series-overview.md), [HBv3-series](./sizes/high-performance-compute/hbv3-series-overview.md), [HBv4-series](./sizes/high-performance-compute/hbv4-series-overview.md), [HC-series](./sizes/high-performance-compute/hc-series-overview.md), [HX-series](./sizes/high-performance-compute/hx-series-overview.md) | ¹ Mv2-series, DC-series, NDv2-series, Msv2 and Mdsv2-series Medium Memory do not support Generation 1 VM images and only support a subset of Generation 2 images. Please see [Mv2-series documentation](mv2-series.md), [ND A100 v4-series](nda100-v4-series.md), [NDv2-series](ndv2-series.md), and [Msv2 and Mdsv2 Medium Memory Series](msv2-mdsv2-series.md) for details. ## Generation 2 VM images in Azure Marketplace Generation 2 VMs support the following Marketplace images: * Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2012 * Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Enterprise * Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise * SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3, SP2 * SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4 * Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, 16.04 LTS * RHEL 9,5, 9.4, 9.3, 9.2, 9.1, 9.0, 8.10, 8.9, 8.8, 8.7, 8.6, 8.5, 8.4, 8.3, 8.2, 8.1, 8.0, 7.9, 7.8, 7.7, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, 7.0 * Cent OS 8.4, 8.3, 8.2, 8.1, 8.0, 7.7, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4 * Oracle Linux 9.3, 9.2, 9.1, 9.0, 8.9, 8.8, 8.7, 8.6, 8.5, 8.4, 8.3, 8.2, 8.1, 7.9, 7.9, 7.8, 7.7 > [!NOTE] > Specific Virtual machine sizes like Mv2-Series, DC-series, ND A100 v4-series, NDv2-series, Msv2 and Mdsv2-series may only support a subset of these images - please look at the relevant virtual machine size documentation for complete details. ## On-premises vs. Azure Generation 2 VMs Azure doesn't currently support some of the features that on-premises Hyper-V supports for Generation 2 VMs. | Generation 2 feature | On-premises Hyper-V | Azure | |-------------------------------------|---------------------|-------| | Secure boot | :heavy_check_mark: | With [trusted launch](trusted-launch.md) | | Shielded VM | :heavy_check_mark: | :x: | | vTPM | :heavy_check_mark: | With [trusted launch](trusted-launch.md) | | Virtualization-based security (VBS) | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | VHDX format | :heavy_check_mark: | :x: | For more information, see [Trusted launch](trusted-launch.md). ## Features and capabilities ### Generation 1 vs. Generation 2 features | Feature | Generation 1 | Generation 2 | |---------|--------------|--------------| | Boot | PCAT | UEFI | | Disk controllers | IDE | SCSI | | VM sizes | All VM sizes | [See available sizes](#generation-2-vm-sizes) | ### Generation 1 vs. Generation 2 capabilities | Capability | Generation 1 | Generation 2 | |------------|--------------|--------------| | OS disk > 2 TB | :x: | :heavy_check_mark: | | Custom disk/image/swap OS | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | Virtual machine scale set support | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | Azure Site Recovery | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | Backup/restore | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | Azure Compute Gallery | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | [Azure disk encryption](../virtual-machines/disk-encryption-overview.md) | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | | [Server-side encryption](disk-encryption.md) | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: | ## Creating a Generation 2 VM ### Azure Resource Manager Template To create a simple Windows Generation 2 VM, see [Create a Windows virtual machine from a Resource Manager template](./windows/ps-template.md) To create a simple Linux Generation 2 VM, see [How to create a Linux virtual machine with Azure Resource Manager templates](./linux/create-ssh-secured-vm-from-template.md) ### Marketplace image In the Azure portal or Azure CLI, you can create Generation 2 VMs from a Marketplace image that supports UEFI boot. #### Azure portal Below are the steps to create a Generation 2 (Gen2) VM in Azure portal. 1. Sign in to the [Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com). 2. Search for **Virtual Machines** 3. Under **Services**, select **Virtual machines**. 4. In the **Virtual machines** page, select **Add**, and then select **Virtual machine**. 5. Under **Project details**, make sure the correct subscription is selected. 6. Under **Resource group**, select **Create new** and type a name for your resource group or select an existing resource group from the dropdown. 7. Under **Instance details**, type a name for the virtual machine name and choose a region 8. Under **Image**, select a Generation 2 image from the **Marketplace images to get started** > [!TIP] > If you don't see the Generation 2 version of the image you want in the drop-down, select **See all images** and then change the **Image Type** filter to **Gen 2**. 9. Select a VM size that supports Generation 2. See a list of [supported sizes](#generation-2-vm-sizes). 10. Fill in the **Administrator account** information and then **Inbound port rules** 11. At the bottom of the page, select **Review + Create** 12. On the **Create a virtual machine** page, you can see the details about the VM you are about to deploy. Once validation shows as passed, select **Create**. #### PowerShell You can also use PowerShell to create a VM by directly referencing the Generation 1 or Generation 2 SKU. For example, use the following PowerShell cmdlet to get a list of the SKUs in the `WindowsServer` offer. ```powershell Get-AzVMImageSku -Location westus2 -PublisherName MicrosoftWindowsServer -Offer WindowsServer ``` If you're creating a VM with Windows Server 2019 as the OS, then you can select a Generation 2 (UEFI) image which looks like this: ```powershell 2019-datacenter-gensecond ``` If you're creating a VM with Windows 10 as the OS, then you can select a Generation 2 (UEFI) image which looks like this: ```powershell 20H2-PRO-G2 ``` See the [Features and capabilities](#features-and-capabilities) section for a current list of supported Marketplace images. #### Azure CLI Alternatively, you can use the Azure CLI to see any available Generation 2 images, listed by **Publisher**. ```azurecli az vm image list --publisher Canonical --sku gen2 --output table --all ``` ### Managed image or managed disk You can create a Generation 2 VM from a managed image or managed disk in the same way you would create a Generation 1 VM. ### Virtual machine scale sets You can also create Generation 2 VMs by using virtual machine scale sets. In the Azure CLI, use Azure scale sets to create Generation 2 VMs. > [!NOTE] > Alternatively, you can upgrade an existing Generation 1 VM to Generation 2 with Trusted launch. For more information, see [Upgrade existing Gen1 VMs to Gen2-Trusted launch](trusted-launch-existing-vm-gen-1.md). ## Frequently asked questions * **Are Generation 2 VMs available in all Azure regions?** Yes. But not all [generation 2 VM sizes](#generation-2-vm-sizes) are available in every region. The availability of the Generation 2 VM depends on the availability of the VM size. * **Is there a price difference between Generation 1 and Generation 2 VMs?** No. * **I have a .vhd file from my on-premises Generation 2 VM. Can I use that .vhd file to create a Generation 2 VM in Azure?** Yes, you can bring your Generation 2 .vhd file to Azure and use that to create a Generation 2 VM. Use the following steps to do so: 1. Upload the .vhd to a storage account in the same region where you'd like to create your VM. 1. Create a managed disk from the .vhd file. Set the Hyper-V Generation property to V2. The following PowerShell commands set Hyper-V Generation property when creating managed disk. ```powershell $sourceUri = 'https://xyzstorage.blob.core.windows.net/vhd/abcd.vhd'. #<Provide location to your uploaded .vhd file> $osDiskName = 'gen2Diskfrmgenvhd' #<Provide a name for your disk> $diskconfig = New-AzDiskConfig -Location '<location>' -DiskSizeGB 127 -AccountType Standard_LRS -OsType Windows -HyperVGeneration "V2" -SourceUri $sourceUri -CreateOption 'Import' New-AzDisk -DiskName $osDiskName -ResourceGroupName '<Your Resource Group>' -Disk $diskconfig ``` 1. Once the disk is available, create a VM by attaching this disk. The VM created will be a Generation 2 VM. When the Generation 2 VM is created, you can optionally generalize the image of this VM. By generalizing the image, you can use it to create multiple VMs. * **How do I increase the OS disk size?** OS disks larger than 2 TiB are new to Generation 2 VMs. By default, OS disks are smaller than 2 TiB for Generation 2 VMs. You can increase the disk size up to a recommended maximum of 4 TiB. Use the Azure CLI or the Azure portal to increase the OS disk size. For information about how to expand disks programmatically, see **Resize a disk** for [Windows](./windows/expand-os-disk.md) or [Linux](./linux/resize-os-disk-gpt-partition.md). To increase the OS disk size from the Azure portal: 1. In the Azure portal, go to the VM properties page. 1. To shut down and deallocate the VM, select the **Stop** button. 1. In the **Disks** section, select the OS disk you want to increase. 1. In the **Disks** section, select **Configuration**, and update the **Size** to the value you want. 1. Go back to the VM properties page and **Start** the VM. You might see a warning for OS disks larger than 2 TiB. The warning doesn't apply to Generation 2 VMs. However, OS disk sizes larger than 4 TiB are not supported. * **Do Generation 2 VMs support accelerated networking?** Yes. For more information, see [Create a VM with accelerated networking](/azure/virtual-network/create-vm-accelerated-networking-cli). * **Do Generation 2 VMs support Secure Boot or vTPM in Azure?** Both vTPM and Secure Boot are features of trusted launch for Generation 2 VMs. For more information, see [Trusted launch](trusted-launch.md). * **Is VHDX supported on Generation 2?** No, Generation 2 VMs on Azure support only VHD. * **Do Generation 2 VMs support Azure Ultra Disk Storage?** Yes. * **Can I migrate a VM from Generation 1 to Generation 2?** Azure Virtual Machines supports upgrading existing Generation 1 VMs to Generation 2 by upgrading to the Trusted launch security type. See [Upgrade existing Gen1 VMs to Gen2-Trusted launch](trusted-launch-existing-vm-gen-1.md) for steps and prerequisites. * **Why is my VM size not enabled in the size selector when I try to create a Generation 2 VM?** This may be solved by doing the following: 1. Verify that the **VM Generation** property is set to **Gen 2**. 1. Verify you are searching for a [VM size which supports Generation 2 VMs](#generation-2-vm-sizes). ## Next steps Learn more about the [trusted launch](trusted-launch-portal.md) with Generation 2 VMs. Learn about [Generation 2 virtual machines in Hyper-V](/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/should-i-create-a-generation-1-or-2-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v). [Upgrade an existing Gen1 VM to Gen2-Trusted launch](trusted-launch-existing-vm-gen-1.md).