GitHub Actions runner images in public preview
GitHub Actions is releasing new Ubuntu 26.04 and Windows 11 arm64 runner images in public preview for all users. This allows early testing of workflows on the latest platforms before general availability, with Ubuntu 26.04 supporting both x64 and arm64 architectures. Users should update their workflow files to use the new image labels and may observe differences in tool versions.
- →New Ubuntu 26.04 runner images available for GitHub Actions
- →Windows 11 arm64 runner with Visual Studio 2026 in preview
- →Upcoming migration of Windows 11 arm64 image label
- →Public preview phase for new runner images
Deprecations (1) ›
- Upcoming migration of Windows 11 arm64 image label
Following the public preview, the existing `windows-11-arm` image label will migrate to the `vs2026` image in early September. Users will be notified in advance to prepare for this transition.
Features (2) ›
- New Ubuntu 26.04 runner images available for GitHub Actions
GitHub Actions now offers Ubuntu 26.04 runner images in public preview for x64 and arm64 architectures. Users can adopt these by updating their workflow files with `runs-on: ubuntu-26.04` or `runs-on: ubuntu-26.04-arm`. Base images for larger runners are also available.
- Windows 11 arm64 runner with Visual Studio 2026 in preview
A new Windows 11 arm64 image pre-configured with Visual Studio 2026 is available under the label `windows-11-vs2026-arm`. This provides an early environment to validate CI workloads against the VS 2026 toolchain on Windows arm64.
Notes (1) ›
- Public preview phase for new runner images
Both new runner images are in public preview and may experience longer queue times during peak usage. Users are encouraged to report any issues or provide feedback via the runner-images repository.
https://github.blog/changelog/2026-06-11-new-runner-images-in-public-preview