Microsoft called Linux a cancer, now ships its own free distro that's nothing like Ubuntu or Fedora

Azure Linux 4.0 is Microsoft's own Fedora-derived Linux distro for Azure cloud workloads. Here is how it compares to Ubuntu, Fedora, and RHEL

Twenty-five years ago, Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer called Linux a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches. At Build 2026 in June, Microsoft shipped its own Linux distribution, Azure Linux 4.0, to the public. This Fedora-derived Linux distro is designed for Azure cloud workloads and marks a significant shift in Microsoft's strategy. Azure Linux 4.0 is available for public use, with its source code accessible on GitHub.

The release of Azure Linux 4.0 directly affects companies using Azure cloud services, as they can now opt for a Linux distribution optimized for Microsoft's cloud platform. This can lead to cost savings, as companies can potentially reduce their spending on other Linux distributions. Azure Linux 4.0 is also expected to improve performance and security for Azure users. The availability of Azure Linux 4.0 may influence the choice of cloud platform for businesses.

Microsoft's decision to release its own Linux distribution is a significant departure from its earlier stance on Linux. The company's history with open-source software has been complex, with former CEO Steve Ballmer's comments on Linux being a notable example. Insiders know that Microsoft has been working on improving its relationship with the open-source community, and the release of Azure Linux 4.0 is a key part of this effort. Microsoft's partnership with the Linux community has been growing, with the company joining the Linux Foundation in 2016.

In the coming weeks, Microsoft is expected to announce further details on the development and support of Azure Linux 4.0. The company will likely release updates on the distribution's roadmap and its plans for future development. A key date to watch is the upcoming Microsoft Ignite conference, where the company may provide more information on Azure Linux 4.0. Interestingly, the lead developer of Azure Linux 4.0 is a former Red Hat engineer, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of the open-source software ecosystem.