Azure VM Image Builder
Simplify your virtual machine (VM) image building process with an easy-to-use tool.
Create custom images in just a few steps
Avoid the hassles of figuring out tooling, processes, and extraneous manual steps. With Azure VM Image Builder, create custom images using fast, simple steps. Integrate the image building process with your existing DevOps pipeline and manage the images by connecting to Shared Image Gallery.
Create custom Linux and Windows images at scale using existing or new configurations for Azure and Azure Stack
Integrate with Azure DevOps and Shared Image Gallery to create an image build pipeline and global management system
Connect VM Image Builder to your existing virtual networks to use your configuration servers and resources
Migrate an image customization pipeline to Azure and use your existing scripts, commands, and processes
Distribute and manage custom images at scale
Use Azure VM Image Builder to help ensure the security—including patching and updating—and full control of your custom images. Connect your existing virtual networks to access routable resources, servers, and services, including configuration servers like Chef, Puppet, and Desired State Configuration (DSC). Integrate with Shared Image Gallery to easily manage images and replicate them globally.
Comprehensive security and compliance, built in
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Microsoft invests more than USD$1 billion annually on cybersecurity research and development.
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We employ more than 3,500 security experts who are dedicated to data security and privacy.
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Azure has more certifications than any other cloud provider. View the comprehensive list.
Create custom images for your needs
Build images to meet the configuration, compliance, and regulatory needs of your organization. Use your existing configurations with just one service to start building custom Linux, Windows, and Windows Virtual Desktop images in minutes.
Integrate and automate with your DevOps pipeline
Use a single command or advanced configurations as code to create your build resources on demand in Azure. Connect VM Image Builder with your DevOps pipeline using Azure DevOps or other tools. Automate all tasks including patching and updating.
Fully managed service that supports tools you love
Stop worrying about maintenance, resources like VMs and other services, and support. Use tools you like, including Azure PowerShell, the Azure portal, Azure CLI, and Azure Resource Manager templates to automate your image creation.
Azure VM Image Builder is free
Azure Image Builder is a free image building service that streamlines the creation, update, patch, management, and operation of Linux and Windows images.
Azure Image Builder deploys resources into your subscription when you use the service. Pay only for the virtual machines and associated storage and networking resources consumed when running your image building pipeline.
Compute types
Azure VM Image Builder uses a single compute instance type with 1vCPU and 3.5 GiB RAM. In future different amounts of memory and CPU variations will be available to customers.
Customers will be only charged for underline compute, networking, and storage resources.
Additional charges
You may incur additional charges if your builds transfer data or use other Azure services. For example:
Storage
There is storage associated with the VM Image Builder Template, to storage any script files, or RHEL ISOs, you are charged at Standard LRS Storage Rates, this will cease on Image Builder Template deletion.
During the image build phase, image Builder requires temporary storage to create the image, this may be approx. 2.5x size of the source image, this only lasts for the duration of the image build. When the image build has completed, you are charged for storage of the image created.
Networking
If you replicate images to alterative regions, you will be charged for networking egress.
Get started with an Azure free account
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After your credit, move to pay as you go to keep building with the same free services. Pay only if you use more than your free monthly amounts.
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Resources
Frequently asked questions about Azure VM Image Builder
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Azure VM Image Builder is a free service. You only pay for underlying compute, storage, and networking resources that you use with the service.
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It typically takes up to two d1_v2 VMs with storage and networking.
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Use VM Image Builder via the Azure portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and Azure DevOps.
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Azure VM Image Builder is free, with an SLA of 99-percent availability for service requests and billing and subscription management support. VM Image Builder is covered by the Azure Virtual Machines SLA.
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All image building resources deployed are in your subscription.
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Image builder allows multiple configuration options, resources are charged at different rates. For example, an image build requires VM, the more time it takes for the configuration means the increased time VM running time.
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Azure Image Builder is a free service, but customers will pay for the underlying compute, storage, and networking resources.
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Up to 2 VMs - standard_d1_v2 always, and Standard A1_v2 if using an existing VNET.