python2.7 will be removed from the images on June 12, 2023

[mikhailkoliada]

Breaking changes

Python 2.7 will be removed from the images' tool cache.

Target date

The image rollout will start on June 12, 2023 and take 3-4 days.

The motivation for the changes

Python2.7 is not supported since January 1, 2020.

Possible impact

If your builds depend on python2.7 they will be broken.

Platforms affected

• Azure DevOps
• GitHub Actions

Runner images affected

• Ubuntu 20.04
• Ubuntu 22.04
• macOS 11
• macOS 12
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022

Mitigation ways

No specific steps should be taken.

[vitalkanev]

Python2.7 is not supported since January 1, 2022.

Correction: it's 2020, not 2022. The linked documents don't even mention 2022.

[mikhailkoliada]

@vitalkanev true that! Fixed, thanks :)

[rtibbles]

Can I ask for clarification of the exact implications of this - is this just being removed from the runners tool cache, but would still be installable using the @setup-python action, or does this change have implications for the correct operation of @setup-python action as well?

[rtibbles]

Bumping the question above, as the implications of this still aren't entirely clear.