Merge pull request #298704 from mijacobs/resources-deletion-notice

Add notice about resources deletion

Author: JillGrant615

articles/lab-services/TOC.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
   items:
   - name: Azure Lab Services retirement guide
     href: retirement-guide.md
+  - name: Deletion policy for virtual machines
+    href: vm-deletion-policy.md
   - name: Find and delete lab resources
     href: find-delete-lab-resources.md
   - name: What is Azure Lab Services?

articles/lab-services/vm-deletion-policy.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+title: Deletion policy for virtual machines
+description: The VM deletion policy for Azure Lab Services
+ms.topic: overview
+ms.date: 04/23/2025
+
+# customer intent: As an Azure Lab Services customer, I want to understand the VM deletion policy for Azure Lab Services.
+---
+
+# Virtual machine deletion policy
+
+[!INCLUDE [Retirement guide](./includes/retirement-banner.md)]
+
+On June 9, 2025, Azure Lab Services will delete all virtual machines (VMs) that have been inactive since July 1, 2023. 
+
+A virtual machine is considered inactive if no operations were performed on it. These operations include actions such as starting, stopping, resetting passwords, and reimaging. Any associated labs for these virtual machines will also be deleted. This policy applies to template VMs and production VMs. 
+
+After the virtual machines are deleted, we won't be able to recover them or their data. Back up any required data from these inactive virtual machines, and then delete the virtual machines if you don't need them. Delete the virtual machines and the associated labs yourself to avoid incurring any unnecessary charges. Once the virtual machines are deleted, there's no way to recover the virtual machines or the data on them.