Code To Cloud
The latest Code To Cloud coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Azure Mbv4 VMs Hit Preview with Faster NVMe Throughput for SAP and Memory-Hungry Workloads
Microsoft's new Mbv4 VM series enters public preview with dramatically faster NVMe local storage, targeting SAP HANA and other memory-intensive workloads. Available in East US, the preview instances offer up to 3.2x throughput gains over Mbv3, with full Azure Boost acceleration. IT teams can begin testing now, but production workloads should wait for general availability and SAP certification.
Windows 11's Hidden Cloud Rebuild Tool Could Banish Boot Failure Headaches for Good
Microsoft is testing a Cloud Rebuild recovery option in Windows 11 Insider builds that lets users reinstall the OS from the cloud directly within WinRE, eliminating the need for a USB drive after boot failures. The feature, unearthed in 25H2 experimental builds, offers a lifeline for non-technical users but could disrupt IT workflows if not managed carefully. Most users should wait for official release while maintaining traditional recovery backups.
Microsoft Hosts Office Hours to Tackle 2026 Secure Boot Certificate Transition for Cloud VMs
Microsoft announced a Tech Community Office Hours event to discuss the 2026 Secure Boot certificate transition for virtual machines. The live Q&A will cover impact on Hyper-V, Azure, and Windows 365, giving IT pros a chance to ask questions and plan ahead. Early preparation is essential to avoid boot failures when the old certificates expire.
Commvault Cloud Goes Native on Azure: What the Summer 2026 Preview Means for Your Data Resilience
Microsoft and Commvault announced on June 24, 2026, that Commvault Cloud will become a native Azure ISV service, with public preview arriving this summer. The integration promises unified billing, deeper Azure management tooling, and streamlined procurement through the Azure Marketplace, reshaping how enterprises approach data resilience on Azure.
Two Councils Walk Away from Managed Cloud, Deploy 800 Windows 11 Laptops In-House
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have completed an exit from a decade-long outsourced IT model, bringing 800 Windows 11 laptops, 14 servers, and Teams-based telephony in-house. The move highlights the growing viability of self-managed public sector IT environments and offers a practical template for other organizations considering a similar migration away from managed cloud services.
Scaleway to Host French Health Data Hub Starting 2026, Replacing Azure
France's selection of Scaleway to replace Microsoft Azure for its Health Data Hub marks a major shift in cloud sovereignty, ending years of legal wrangling over US surveillance risks.
Computacenter Tackles SAP Cloud Complexity with New Azure Managed Service
Computacenter announced its Hosted SAP on Azure service, bundling migration planning, Azure management, and ongoing cost optimization. Aimed at large enterprises facing SAP’s 2027 deadline, it promises to reduce complexity and cloud spending. The service reflects a growing trend toward full-lifecycle managed offerings for SAP on public cloud.
How a 2017 Broadcom 100GbE Adapter Still Runs Modern Windows Server Networks
An in-depth look at why Broadcom's 2017 BCM57454 100GbE Ethernet controller remains a cornerstone of Windows Server data centers in 2025, from its feature set to driver support and practical tips for Hyper-V admins. The article explains the adapter's lasting value, offers upgrade and tuning advice, and examines the future of 100GbE networking.
Excel for the Web Usage Jumps 10x in Six Years—Here’s What That Means for Your Workflow
Microsoft reports that Excel for the web sessions have increased tenfold over six years, driven by remote work and continuous feature upgrades. For users, the web version now handles most spreadsheet tasks with real-time collaboration, while IT teams benefit from simplified deployment and built-in security. Power users still need the desktop for macros and large data, but the gap is narrowing as AI and scripting tools come to the browser.
Why the Next Big Cloud Outage Is Just Around the Corner—and How to Survive It
Repeated outages at major cloud providers over the past year prove that disruptions are inevitable. This analysis breaks down the impact on users and businesses, why these failures keep happening, and what practical steps you can take now to minimize damage when the next hyperscaler goes down.
Inside BMW's Pretoria IT Hub: 20 Years of 24/7 Global Software-Defined Operations Across 130 Countries
BMW’s Pretoria IT Hub, founded in 2006, has evolved into a 24/7 global command center supporting over 130 countries with software-defined manufacturing, connected vehicle services, and enterprise IT on a massive scale. The facility processes billions of factory sensor data points, manages more than 2,500 business applications, and runs a primarily Microsoft-centric tech stack that underscores Windows’ enduring role in the automotive software revolution. With 2,200 IT professionals, the hub has become a blueprint for how automakers can centralize mission-critical operations in talent-rich, cost-effective locations.
Microsoft Drops Azure Linux 4 ISO on GitHub for Local Testing, Preview Now Available
Microsoft has released a downloadable ISO image of Azure Linux 4 on GitHub, allowing administrators and developers to test the cloud-optimized OS locally for the first time. The preview ISO includes the hardened kernel, SELinux, cloud-init, and Azure tooling, enabling on-premises evaluation and CI/CD integration. This move marks a strategic shift toward community accessibility and pre-cloud workload validation.
Microsoft Previews Azure Monitor Alerts and Purview Audit for Universal Print Observability
Microsoft's June 2026 preview of Azure Monitor alerts and Purview Audit for Universal Print brings long-awaited observability to cloud print management. The integration enables real-time printer health monitoring, customizable dashboards, proactive alerts, and detailed audit trails for compliance. General availability is targeted for December 2026, giving IT teams a six-month window to test and prepare for these critical features.