Merge pull request #18038 from alkohli/2-2505

Whats new

Author: prmerger-automator[bot]

azure-local/whats-new.md

@@ -16,6 +16,38 @@ ms.date: 05/08/2025
 
 This article lists the various features and improvements that are available in Azure Local. The latest version of Azure Local solution focuses on cloud-based deployment and updates, cloud-based monitoring, new and simplified experience for Azure Local virtual machine (VM) management, security, and more.
 
+::: moniker range="=azloc-2505"
+
+There are two 2505 releases for May. Here are the details of each release:
+
+|Solution version  |OS version |Deployment  |
+|---------|---------|---------|
+|12.2505.1001.23 |  26100.4061        | New deployments only.        |
+|11.2505.1001.22  | 25398.1611        | Existing deployments only.        |
+
+For more information, see [Release information summary](./release-information-23h2.md).
+
+## Features and improvements in 2505
+
+This release has the following features and improvements:
+
+- **OS version changes**:
+
+    - In the last release (2504), a new operating system was introduced for Azure Local deployments. For 2505, all the new deployments of Azure Local will run new OS version **26100.4061**. You can download the 2505 OS image from the Azure portal.
+    
+        You also need to get the driver compatible with Azure Local 12.2505 or Windows Server 2025. If a compatible driver is not available, you can use the 2503 image.
+
+        Existing deployments of Azure Local will continue to use OS version **25398.1611**. For more information, see [Release information summary](./release-information-23h2.md).
+
+    - If you've purchased Integrated System or Premier solution hardware from the [Azure Local Catalog](https://aka.ms/AzureStackHCICatalog) through your preferred Microsoft hardware partner, the OS should be preinstalled. Work with your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to get the OS image compatible with **12.2505** and driver compatible with Azure Local 12.2505 or Windows Server 2025.
+
+- **.NET updates**: This build uses .NET version **8.0.16** for both .NET Runtime and ASP.NET Core. For more details, see [Download .NET 8.0](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/8.0).
+
+- **Update changes**: This release includes reliability improvements to the update process. For more information, see [Fixed issues in 2505](./known-issues.md?view=azloc-2505&preserve-view=true#fixed-issues).
+
+::: moniker-end
+
+
 ::: moniker range="=azloc-2504"
 
 Starting with 2504 release, Microsoft introduced a new versioning schema. There are two 2504 releases for April. Here are the details of each release: