How to create an Azure free trial account: A step-by-step guide

Introduction to Microsoft Azure free trial account.

Microsoft Azure is a leading cloud platform, providing businesses and individuals access to various tools for development, data management, and virtual machine deployment. For those new to cloud computing, Azure offers a free trial that includes $200 worth of credits for the first 30 days. This trial is ideal for experimenting with Azure services without upfront costs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of creating your free trial account and provide tips for avoiding common issues along the way.

What is the Azure free trial?

The Azure free trial allows you to access a wide range of Azure services at no cost for a limited period. Here’s what you get:

• $200 credits for 30 days to explore various Azure services.
• Free access to over 40+ services like Virtual Machines, Blob Storage, and App Services for 12 months.
• Pay-as-you-go after your credits expire or if you use more than the free services limit.

To be eligible, you must be a new user who has not previously signed up for an Azure account. Microsoft also requires you to have a valid credit card for verification purposes (don’t worry—you won’t be charged unless you upgrade your account).

Step-by-step guide to creating Microsoft Azure free trial account

Step 1: Visit the Azure portal

To start, go to the Azure Free Account page. On the page, you’ll see a “Start free” button, inviting you to create your account.

Step 2: Click on ‘Start free’

Once you click on “Start free”, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, create a new account, which will be used to manage your Azure subscription.

Step 3: Verify Your identity

This step involves verifying your phone number and adding your credit card information. Microsoft requires this to confirm your identity and prevent fraud. However, no charges will be applied to your card unless you choose to upgrade your account to a pay-as-you-go model.

Step 4: Agree to the terms

Carefully review and accept the terms and conditions, privacy policy, and service agreements provided by Microsoft. This ensures that you understand the scope of the free trial and its limitations.

Step 5: Access your Azure portal

After successfully completing these steps, you will be directed to the Azure portal. This dashboard is your central hub for managing all Azure services. You’ll also see your $200 credits and free services listed here.

Avoiding common issues and troubleshooting

Some users encounter issues during the signup process, such as account suspension or failed verifications. Here are tips to avoid these problems:

• Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data during account creation to use a different IP address. This can improve your success rate.
• Clear your browser cookies to prevent previous session data from interfering with your registration.
• Use valid personal details (e.g., mobile number and address) during the verification steps. Incorrect information may cause your account creation to fail.

If you experience any card-related issues, try using a different card. Sometimes a card that’s already been used for another Microsoft account may not work.

What’s Included in the free trial?

During the trial, you’ll have access to a variety of services, including:

• Virtual machines: Test different operating systems and configurations for app development and testing.
• Blob storage: Store your unstructured data like documents and media.
• Azure app services: Deploy and manage applications in a scalable environment.

While most services are free for 12 months, others are available only during the initial 30 days with your $200 credit. Once you exceed these limits, you’ll need to either upgrade to a pay-as-you-go model or discontinue usage to avoid charges.

Tips for maximizing your Azure free trial

To make the most out of your free trial:

• Monitor your usage: Keep track of your credits to avoid going over the limit. Azure provides tools within the portal to track usage.
• Experiment with different services: Utilize the free credits to explore various Azure features, from creating virtual machines to deploying web applications.
• Set up alerts: Azure allows you to create alerts that notify you if you’re nearing your credit limit.

Conclusion

Signing up for an Azure free trial is an excellent way to get started with cloud computing without spending any money upfront. By following the steps above and avoiding common issues, you can ensure a smooth account creation process. Take advantage of the $200 credit and explore Azure’s many services.

To learn more about cloud services or get additional support, feel free to visit MedhaCloud for expert guidance.