Support Python 3.11 in Azure CLI 2.73.0

[furuya-fj]

Related command

az upgrade, az version, az login — general Azure CLI usage

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

We are operating mission-critical systems that require long-term stability, using RHEL 9.2 under Enhanced Extended Update Support (E-EUS). These systems are deployed on Azure with OS licenses brought in via Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB) and contracted directly with Red Hat.
Due to the nature of these systems, upgrading the OS frequently is not feasible. RHEL 9.2 only provides Python up to version 3.11, while recent Azure CLI versions (e.g., 2.73.0 and later) require Python 3.12. This creates a compatibility issue that prevents us from updating Azure CLI in our environment.

Describe the solution you'd like

We would like Azure CLI versions 2.73.0 and later to support Python 3.11, allowing us to upgrade the CLI without needing to upgrade the OS.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Upgrading the OS to RHEL 9.4 or later
→ Not feasible due to system stability requirements
Staying on older Azure CLI versions
→ Limits access to new features and security updates

Additional context

We plan to continue using RHEL 9.x (e.g., 9.4, 9.6) under E-EUS for long-term support
Our systems rely on Red Hat's official Python packages, which currently cap at 3.11 for RHEL 9.2
Supporting Python 3.11 in newer Azure CLI versions would greatly improve compatibility for enterprise environments with similar constraints

[yonzhan]

Thank you for opening this issue, we will look into it.

[github-actions]

Here are some similar issues that might help you. Please check if they can solve your problem.

• Support Python 3.11 #24494

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Possible solution (Extracted from existing issue, might be incorrect; please verify carefully)

Solution 1:

I did find a workaround for myself this afternoon.

Steps:

1. Remove the azure-cli RPM: sudo dnf remove azure-cli
2. Install Python 3.10: sudo dnf install python3.10
3. Create a virtual environment for Python: python3.10 -m venv ~/.venv
4. Activate the virtual environment: . ~/.venv/bin/activate
5. Install the Azure CLI using pip: pip install azure-cli

Reference:

• Support Python 3.11 #24494 (comment)

Solution 2:

The PR is merged but we haven't released a new CLI version. 3.11 will be supported in next release.

Reference:

• Support Python 3.11 #24494 (comment)

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[bebound]

We don't consider E-EUS status; for us, RHEL 9.2 is already EOL.

Similar issue: #31509 (comment)