How to Get a Free Azure Account: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Microsoft Azure is a leading cloud platform that offers a wide range of services for developers, businesses, and individuals looking to build, deploy, and manage applications. If you are new to cloud computing, or if you’re just exploring Azure, getting a free Azure account is a great way to start. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a free Azure account and explain what you can get with it.

Why Choose a Free Azure Account?

Azure’s free tier is an excellent entry point for anyone looking to explore cloud services without spending any money upfront. Here are some reasons why getting a free Azure account is beneficial:

1. Access to Popular Services: Azure provides access to over 25 free services, including virtual machines, databases, and storage options.
2. $200 Free Credit: Azure gives you $200 in credits for the first 30 days to try out premium services.
3. No Commitments: The free tier allows you to explore Azure without long-term commitments or needing to provide payment until you’re ready to upgrade.
4. Scalable Options: As your needs grow, you can easily scale your services by transitioning from the free tier to a paid plan.

What Do You Get with the Free Azure Account?

When you sign up for a free Azure account, Microsoft offers three types of free services:

1. $200 in Credits for 30 Days: You can use these credits to try out any Azure service.
2. 12 Months of Free Services: These include free virtual machines, storage, databases, and more. Here are a few examples:
   • Windows or Linux Virtual Machines (750 hours per month)
   • Azure SQL Database (250 GB per month)
   • File Storage (5 GB LRS)
3. Always Free Services: These services are available free forever as long as you stay within the usage limits. Some examples are:
   • Azure Functions (1 million requests per month)
   • AI and machine learning services like Face API (30,000 transactions per month)
   • 5 GB of Blob Storage.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Free Azure Account

Now, let’s dive into the steps on how to get your free Azure account.

Step 1: Go to the Azure Website

Open your web browser and go to the official Azure website at azure.microsoft.com. From the homepage, click on the Start free button to begin the sign-up process.

Step 2: Sign in or Create a Microsoft Account

You will need a Microsoft account to create an Azure account. If you already have one (for example, from Outlook or Xbox), simply log in. If not, click on Create one and follow the instructions to create a new Microsoft account.

Step 3: Provide Your Personal Details

Once you’re signed in, you’ll need to provide some personal information, such as your name, email, and country. This information will be linked to your Azure account.

Step 4: Identity Verification

Azure requires you to verify your identity to prevent misuse of the free tier. You will need to provide a valid phone number for SMS verification and a credit or debit card for identity validation purposes. Note: You won’t be charged for the free services as long as you stay within the limits of the free tier.

Step 5: Agree to the Terms and Conditions

After verifying your identity, you will be asked to review the Azure agreement and privacy policy. Check the box indicating that you agree to the terms and click Sign Up.

Step 6: Start Using Azure

Once you’ve successfully completed the sign-up process, you will be redirected to the Azure portal. Here, you can start exploring the different services, setting up virtual machines, or deploying web applications using your $200 credit.

Best Practices for Using Your Free Azure Account

1. Monitor Usage: Keep track of your resource usage within the portal to avoid exceeding the free tier limits. Azure offers built-in tools to help you monitor your consumption.
2. Explore Free Services: Make the most of the always free services, such as Azure Functions and AI APIs, which are perfect for beginners.
3. Learn from Azure Documentation: Azure has extensive documentation, tutorials, and learning modules to help you get started on different services. Check out the Azure Learn platform to enhance your skills.

Conclusion

Setting up a free Azure account is a great way to get started with cloud computing, especially if you’re a beginner. With $200 in free credits, access to a range of free services, and a user-friendly portal, you can explore and experiment with different technologies without any upfront costs. Whether you’re looking to develop cloud-based applications, run virtual machines, or experiment with AI, Azure’s free tier provides an excellent foundation.

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