Merge pull request #298280 from sdwheeler/sdw-w400618-relnotes

Update release notes for Apr-2025

Author: v-regandowner

articles/cloud-shell/release-notes.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Azure Cloud Shell release notes
 description: This article lists the new features and changes released in Azure Cloud Shell.
-ms.date: 01/24/2025
+ms.date: 04/15/2025
 ms.topic: release-notes
 ---
 
@@ -11,12 +11,34 @@ The following document outlines the changes to Azure Cloud Shell. The Cloud Shel
 updated on a monthly basis. Changes can include new or updated features and tools, security updates,
 and bug fixes.
 
+> [!NOTE]
+> For a tool to be included in Cloud Shell, it must meet the criteria defined in the
+> [Cloud Shell Package inclusion guide][11]. For security compliance, tool packages become
+> deprecated when they're no longer actively maintained. There's usually a 30-day notice before a
+> package is removed from the image. The package may be removed sooner if there's a security
+> vulnerability or other critical issue. As with any other tool, if there's a tool you need, you
+> can install them in your Cloud Shell session as long as it doesn't require root access. For
+> installation instructions, consult the documentation for the package you require.
+
+## April 2025
+
+The base image for Azure Cloud Shell was updated to use the latest version of **Azure Linux
+3.0**. With this release, the following changes were made:
+
+- Upgraded versions of many packages including Python 3.12.9, PostgreSQL 16.7, and Node.js v20.14.0
+- [Azure Functions Core Tools][02] was readded to the image.
+- The following packages were removed:
+  - `msodbcsql18` and `mssql-tools18`
+  - `Apparmor` is primarily used in Ubuntu and not in Azure Linux.
+  - `redis` was removed due to changes in licensing. For more information, see
+    [Redis license update: What you need to know][06].
+
 ## January 2025
 
 Tool changes
 
-- Updated Azure CLI to [v2.68.0](/cli/azure/release-notes-azure-cli)
-- Updated Azure PowerShell to [v13.1.0](/powershell/azure/release-notes-azureps?view=azps-13.1.0&preserve-view=true)
+- Updated Azure CLI to [v2.68.0][04]
+- Updated Azure PowerShell to [v13.1.0][05]
 - Removed guava-android Java library
 
 ## December 2024
@@ -32,12 +54,12 @@ Deprecated Packages
 
 The following packages were removed for compliance with our package inclusion policy.
 
-- [packer](https://developer.hashicorp.com/packer/docs/intro)
-- [sfctl](/azure/service-fabric/service-fabric-cli)
+- [packer][07]
+- [sfctl][03]
 
 Published policy for inclusion of new tools
 
-- [Package inclusion guide](https://github.com/Azure/CloudShell/blob/master/docs/package-inclusion-guide.md)
+- [Package inclusion guide][11]
 
 ## May 2024
 
@@ -49,7 +71,7 @@ New features
   toolbar uses text-based menu items rather than icons, making it easier to find the desired action.
 
   For more information, see
-  [How to use the new user interface for Azure Cloud Shell](new-ui-shell-window.md).
+  [How to use the new user interface for Azure Cloud Shell][14].
 
 - Support for ephemeral sessions
 
@@ -58,17 +80,33 @@ New features
   Shell is restarted.
 
   For more information, see
-  [Get started with Azure Cloud Shell ephemeral sessions](./get-started/ephemeral.md?tabs=powershell).
+  [Get started with Azure Cloud Shell ephemeral sessions][01].
 
 Deprecated Packages
 
-The following packages were removed for security compliance. These packages were deprecated by the
-package owners or are no longer maintained. If you need to use these tools, you can install them in
-your Cloud Shell session. For installation instructions, consult the documentation for the package
-you require.
-
-- [Batch-Shipyard](https://github.com/Azure/batch-shipyard)
-- [blobxfer](https://github.com/Azure/blobxfer)
-- [Yeoman (yo)](https://yeoman.io/)
-- [generator-az-terra module](https://github.com/Azure/generator-az-terra-module)
-- [Azure-functions-cli](https://github.com/Azure/azure-functions-core-tools)
+The following packages were removed for security compliance. The maintainers deprecated these
+packages or are no longer maintained. If you need to use these tools, you can install them in your
+Cloud Shell session. For installation instructions, consult the documentation for the package you
+require.
+
+- [Batch-Shipyard][09]
+- [blobxfer][10]
+- [Yeoman (yo)][13]
+- [generator-az-terra module][12]
+- [Azure-functions-cli][08]
+
+<!-- link references -->
+[01]: ./get-started/ephemeral.md?tabs=powershell
+[02]: /azure/azure-functions/functions-core-tools-reference?tabs=v2
+[03]: /azure/service-fabric/service-fabric-cli
+[04]: /cli/azure/release-notes-azure-cli
+[05]: /powershell/azure/release-notes-azureps?view=azps-13.1.0&preserve-view=true
+[06]: https://azure.microsoft.com/blog/redis-license-update-what-you-need-to-know/
+[07]: https://developer.hashicorp.com/packer/docs/intro
+[08]: https://github.com/Azure/azure-functions-core-tools
+[09]: https://github.com/Azure/batch-shipyard
+[10]: https://github.com/Azure/blobxfer
+[11]: https://github.com/Azure/CloudShell/blob/master/docs/package-inclusion-guide.md
+[12]: https://github.com/Azure/generator-az-terra-module
+[13]: https://yeoman.io/
+[14]: new-ui-shell-window.md