How to Install / Upgrade: GPT-5.6 now available in Microsoft Foundry

GPT-5.6 is now available in Microsoft Foundry. The release brings OpenAI's latest frontier model series into Foundry along with the Asia Pacific Data Zone and product agent capabilities. All of these are generally available.

To install or upgrade, open Microsoft Foundry and select GPT-5.6 from the available models when you create or update a deployment. If you need regional data residency in Asia Pacific, choose the Asia Pacific Data Zone when you configure the deployment. Turn on product agent capabilities in the same Foundry environment so agents can use the new model series.

Do not assume older Foundry deployments switch to GPT-5.6 on their own; create or update the deployment to the new model. Confirm that the Asia Pacific Data Zone is selected only when that region is required, since it is a distinct option. Verify success by confirming GPT-5.6 appears as the active model in Foundry, that the Asia Pacific Data Zone shows as configured if you chose it, and that product agent capabilities respond when you run a simple agent request against the new deployment.