Merge pull request #302736 from AbhishekMallick-MS/Jul-15-2025-MDCC

Agentless VM backup - GA updates

Author: v-ccolin

articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md

@@ -2,15 +2,18 @@
 title: About agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup for Azure Virtual Machines by using Azure Backup
 description: Learn about agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup for Azure VMs by using Azure Backup via Azure portal.
 ms.topic: overview
-ms.date: 09/11/2024
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 # Customer intent: As an IT administrator managing Azure VMs, I want to implement agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backups, so that I can optimize backup performance without the need for additional agents or scripts when my virtual machine can tolerate crash-consistent recovery.
 ---
 
-# About agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup for Azure VMs (preview)
+# About agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup for Azure VMs
 
-Azure Backup supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk [crash-consistent restore points](/azure/virtual-machines/virtual-machines-create-restore-points) (preview). The [Enhanced VM backup policy](backup-azure-vms-enhanced-policy.md) now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore points preview) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash-consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+Azure Backup supports agentless virtual machine (VM) backups by using multi-disk [crash-consistent restore points](/azure/virtual-machines/virtual-machines-create-restore-points). The [Enhanced VM backup policy](backup-azure-vms-enhanced-policy.md) now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore point) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash-consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+
+>[!Note]
+>The agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup feature is generally available. This release includes changes to billing; see the [pricing details](#pricing-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-backup).
 
 ## When do I choose crash-consistent backup over application-consistent backup?
 
@@ -20,21 +23,21 @@ Choose to perform crash-consistent backup in the following scenarios:
 
 - If you don't want to install the [VM Agent](/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/agent-windows) or [snapshot extension](/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/vmsnapshot-windows) required for application-consistent or file-system-consistent snapshots in your Azure VM, use crash-consistent backups for an agentless backup solution.
 
-- If your operating system is not supported for application or file-system-consistent backup, use crash-consistent backups. Crash-consistent backup is operating system agnostic as it doesn't rely on the VM agent or snapshot extension.
+- If your operating system isn't supported for application or file-system-consistent backup, use crash-consistent backups. Crash-consistent backup is operating system agnostic as it doesn't rely on the VM agent or snapshot extension.
 
 ## When do I not use crash-consistent backups?
 
 Don't use crash-consistent backups in the following scenarios:
 
-- If your application can't tolerate recovery from crash-consistent backups.
-- If you use pre/post scripts for Linux VM backups.
-- If you use read/write host caching and your workload is sensitive to cached data not being flushed before backup.
+- Your application can't tolerate recovery from crash-consistent backups.
+- You use pre/post scripts for Linux VM backups.
+- You use read/write host caching and your workload is sensitive to cached data not being flushed before backup.
 
 ## Pricing for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup
 
-During preview, Azure VMs backed up with multi-disk crash-consistent type is charged for 0.5 protected instance (PI) and the backup storage consumed.
+With general availability of agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup, you incur charges based on the size of the backed-up data, as [detailed here](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/backup/?msockid=229ace64ee9568201c64da31efc769d2). For each VM protected with agentless backup, a protected instance fee applies, similar to application-consistent VM backups. This fee depends on the *VM’s used size*, calculated as **50 percent** of its provisioned size.
 
-## Supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent VM backup (preview)
+## Supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent VM backup
 
 [!INCLUDE [backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md](../../includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md)]
 
@@ -44,4 +47,4 @@ During preview, Azure VMs backed up with multi-disk crash-consistent type is cha
 
 ## Next steps
 
-[Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup (preview)](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md)
+[Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md)

articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md

@@ -2,17 +2,20 @@
 title: Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup by using Azure Backup
 description: Learn how to configure backup for Azure VMs with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup via Azure portal.
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 06/11/2025
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 # Customer intent: As an IT administrator managing Azure VMs, I want to configure agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backups, so that I can ensure robust data protection with minimal impact on performance.
 ---
 
-# Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup (preview)
+# Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup
 
-This article describes how to configure backup for Azure VMs with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup (preview) and back up VM by using the Azure portal.
+This article describes how to configure backup for Azure VMs with agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup and back up VM by using the Azure portal.
 
-Azure Backup supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash-consistent restore points (preview). The Enhanced VM backup policy now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore points preview) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash-consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+Azure Backup supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash-consistent restore points. The Enhanced VM backup policy now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore points) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash-consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+
+>[!Note]
+>The agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup feature is generally available. This release includes changes to billing; see the [pricing details](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#pricing-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-backup).
 
 ## Before you start
 
@@ -29,7 +32,7 @@ To configure backup for a new Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash-consisten
 
 1. On the **Configure backup** blade, under **Policy sub type**, select **Enhanced** > **Create a new policy**. 
 
-2. On the **Create policy** blade, set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot (Preview)** to enable *agentless crash consistent backup*.
+2. On the **Create policy** blade, set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot** to enable *agentless crash consistent backup*.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/configure-agentless-vm-backup-for-new-vm-with-new-policy.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to configure agentless crash-consistent backup for a new VM with a new backup policy." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/configure-agentless-vm-backup-for-new-vm-with-new-policy.png":::
 
@@ -55,7 +58,7 @@ Follow these steps:
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/policy-settings.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to check associated items in a backup policy." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/policy-settings.png":::
 
    >[!Note]
-   >Ensure that the VMs are supported for crash-consistent backups. Learn about the [supported scenarios](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#supported-scenarios-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-preview).
+   >Ensure that the VMs are supported for crash-consistent backups. Learn about the [supported scenarios](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#supported-scenarios-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup).
 
 3. Go to the **Modify policy**, and then make a note of the settings in the policy to use the same in the new backup policy.
 
@@ -69,7 +72,7 @@ Follow these steps:
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/create-new-enhanced-backup-policy.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows creation of a new backup policy with the same backup frequency and retention rules." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/create-new-enhanced-backup-policy.png":::
 
-7. Set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot (Preview)**, and then select **Create**.
+7. Set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot**, and then select **Create**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/set-crash-consistent-policy.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to set crash-consistent policy." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/set-crash-consistent-policy.png":::
 
@@ -102,11 +105,11 @@ Follow these steps:
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/policy-settings.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to check the associated items in a backup policy." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/policy-settings.png":::
 
    >[!Note]
-   >Ensure that all the VMs in the policy are supported for crash-consistent backups. Learn about the [supported scenarios](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#supported-scenarios-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-preview).
+   >Ensure that all the VMs in the policy are supported for crash-consistent backups. Learn about the [supported scenarios](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#supported-scenarios-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup).
    >
    > :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/backup-policy-associated-items-edit.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows the list of VM associated with a backup policy." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/backup-policy-associated-items-edit.png":::
 
-3. Go to the **Modify policy** blade, and set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot (Preview)**, and then select **Update**.
+3. Go to the **Modify policy** blade, and set the **Consistency type** to **Only crash consistent snapshot**, and then select **Update**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/modify-policy-crash-consistent.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to check for the change in policy settings." lightbox="./media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/modify-policy-crash-consistent.png":::
 

articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-introduction.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: About Azure VM backup
 description: In this article, learn how the Azure Backup service backs up Azure Virtual machines, and how to follow best practices.
 ms.topic: overview
-ms.date: 06/17/2025
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
 # Customer intent: "As an IT admin managing Azure VMs, I want to implement effective backup strategies using Azure Backup, so that I can ensure data protection and quick recovery for my virtual machines while minimizing downtime and costs."
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ Billing for a specified VM stops only if the protection is stopped and all backu
 If you have opted for agent-based application consistent or file-system consistent backups, the protected-instance size calculation is based on the *actual* size of the VM. The VM's size is the sum of all the data in the VM, excluding the temporary storage. Pricing is based on the actual data that's stored on the data disks, not on the maximum supported size for each data disk that's attached to the VM.
 
 >[!Note]
->For [agentless crash-consistent backups](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md), you're currently charged for 0.5 protected instance (PI) per VM during preview.
+>The agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup feature is generally available. This release includes changes to billing; see the [pricing details](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md#pricing-for-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-backup).
 
 Similarly, the backup storage bill is based on the amount of data that's stored in Azure Backup, which is the sum of the actual data in each recovery point.
 

articles/backup/backup-support-matrix-iaas.md

@@ -2,12 +2,11 @@
 title: Support matrix for Azure VM backups
 description: Get a summary of support settings and limitations for backing up Azure VMs by using the Azure Backup service.
 ms.topic: reference
-ms.date: 06/23/2025
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 ms.custom:
   - references_regions
   - linux-related-content
   - build-2025
-ms.reviewer: nikhilsarode
 ms.service: azure-backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-mallicka
@@ -105,7 +104,7 @@ Azure Backup provides the following support for customers to author their own pr
 
 
 
-## Support for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent VM backup (preview)
+## Support for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent VM backup
 
 [!INCLUDE [backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md](../../includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md)]
 

articles/backup/media/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent/configure-agentless-vm-backup-for-new-vm-with-new-policy.png

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: What's new in the Azure Backup service
 description: Learn about the new features in the Azure Backup service.
 ms.topic: release-notes
-ms.date: 07/15/2025
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 ms.service: azure-backup
 ms.custom:
   - ignite-2023
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ You can learn more about the new releases by bookmarking this page or by [subscr
 
 ## Updates summary
 
+- July 2025
+  - [Agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backups for Azure VMs is now generally available](#agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-backups-for-azure-vms-is-now-generally-available)
 - June 2025
   - [Migration of Azure VM backups from Standard to Enhanced policy is now generally available](#migration-of-azure-vm-backups-from-standard-to-enhanced-policy-is-now-generally-available)
 - May 2025
@@ -115,6 +117,12 @@ You can learn more about the new releases by bookmarking this page or by [subscr
 - February 2021
   - [Backup for Azure Blobs (in preview)](#backup-for-azure-blobs-in-preview)
 
+## Agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backups for Azure VMs is now generally available
+
+Azure Backup now supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash-consistent restore points. Crash consistent backups are OS agnostic, do not require any agent, and quiesce VM I/O for a shorter period compared to application or file-system consistent backups for performance sensitive workloads.
+
+For more information, see [About agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup for Azure VMs](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md).
+
 ## Migration of Azure VM backups from Standard to Enhanced policy is now generally available
 
 Azure Backup now supports migrating VM backups (protected with Standard policy) to the Enhanced policy, offering greater flexibility and resilience.