How To Create Azure Free Account

Introduction

In this tutorial, I am going to explain various steps to Create Azure Free Account. This detailed article will cover the following topics as follows,

1. Introduction
2. Prerequisites to Create Azure Free Account
3. What is the Azure Free Account?
4. Steps to Create Azure Free Account
5. List of free services for 12 months.
6. List of Services that are always free
7. Cancel Azure Subscription
8. FAQs
9. Conclusion

Image Source: Wikipedia

As per Wikipedia, "Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform operated by Microsoft for application management via around the world-distributed data centers. Microsoft Azure has multiple capabilities such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and supports many different programming languages, tools, and frameworks, including both Microsoft-specific and third-party software and systems".

With the internal project codename "Project Red Dog," Azure was first shown at Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in October 2008. It was initially released in February 2010 as Windows Azure and changed its name to Microsoft Azure on March 25, 2014.

Prerequisites to Create Azure Free Account

For an account in Azure, you must have,

• Phone Number
• Email Id (Optional, you can create a new one)
• Credit Card (for identity verification perspective)

What is the Azure free account?

As per Microsoft, "Creating an Azure free account is one way to access Azure services. When you start using Azure with a free account, you get USD 200 credit to spend in the first 30 days after you sign up. In addition, you get free monthly amounts of two groups of services: popular services, which are free for 12 months, and more than 55 other services that are free always".

Azure offers 12 months free with popular services and a 30-day free trial account with Rs 14,500 credit to access Azure Services that are always free along with 55+ other services. After you've completed your 30-day trial and used up your credits, you can upgrade your subscription and continue to use the paid services.

Steps To Create Azure Free Account

To get into the world of Microsoft Azure with 30 days free account, you need to follow the below steps very carefully.

Step 1

Go to the Azure site by navigating to the following URL: https://portal.azure.com/

Note: If you already have a Microsoft Azure Account, you can skip the initial steps and go to Step 5.

Step 2

Here, you need to choose an account to continue with Microsoft Azure.

Step 3

If you already have a Microsoft Azure account, you can proceed with the Sign In process to Microsoft Azure to continue. Otherwise, click Create One!

• In my case, I already have a Microsoft Azure Account. So, I am going ahead with the Sign In process.

Step 4

Now, you are in the world of Microsoft Azure. Welcome to Azure! To explore Azure for free without paying a single penny, select the Start with an Azure free trial option and click Start. Here, you'll get a free $200 credit for Azure products and services, plus 12 months of popular free services.

Step 5

Now, you will be redirected to the Create Your Azure Free Account Today | Microsoft Azure page. Now, click on Start free.

Step 6

Here, you will need to pick an account to continue.

Step 7

To proceed with the free Azure account, your profile will be created and you will need to provide your basic information. To do this, enter the following details:

• Country/Region
• Your Name
• Email address
• Phone (Verification is required)
• Organization
• PAN ID (Optional)
• Address
• State
• Postal Code

Accept all the Terms and Conditions after reading them very carefully and click on Next to proceed further.

Step 8

For the Identity Verification perspective, you will need to provide your Credit Card details and click on the Signup button to continue. Then, you'll be redirected to your bank's website for verification.

Step 9

After successful verification, you will again have to accept the Terms and Conditions and click Next to continue.

Step 10

Again, click on Sign up to continue.

Step 11

Congratulations! You're ready to get started with Azure with a free 30-day trial including $200 in free credit.
 

List of Services

Here is the list of services provided by Microsoft Azure that users can use without registering as pay-as-you-go:

1. Free for 12 Months

• Azure Virtual Machine - Linux
• Azure Virtual machine - Windows
• Azure SQL Database
• Azure Blob storage

2. Always free

• Azure Cosmos DB
• Azure App Service
• Azure Functions
• Azure Event Grid

To know more about Azure free services, please refer to Azure Free Account FAQ | Microsoft Azure

Cancel Azure Subscription

Alright! If you wish to discontinue your Microsoft Azure Account Subscription. Follow the steps given below to proceed further:

Step 1

Go to the Azure Portal Account

Step 2

Now, select your subscription and click on the Cancel subscription option. 

Step 3

Now, you can proceed with your confirmation to cancel it.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Who is eligible for the Azure free account?

Ans: The Azure free account is available to all new Azure customers who haven't previously had an Azure free account and received a USD200 credit.

Q. Is Azure free for a lifetime?

Ans: No, an Azure account is not free for a lifetime. Only a 30-day free trial account is provided with Rs 14,500 credit to access Azure services. Once the trial limit is over, you will need to pay for all the services you use.

Q. Do I need a Microsoft account to sign up for Azure?

Ans: You can sign up with either a Microsoft account or a GitHub account.

Q. Do I pay anything to start with the Azure free account?

Ans: No. Starting is free. You won't be charged anything unless you decide to move to pay-as-you-go pricing.

Q. What happens once I use my USD200 free credit or I am at the end of 30 days?

Ans: Azure will notify you so you can decide if you want to move to pay-as-you-go pricing, enabling you to purchase Azure services beyond free amounts. If you do, you will keep getting access to all the free services. If you do not, your account and services will be disabled. To resume usage, you will need to move to pay as you go.

Reference: Azure Free Account FAQ | Microsoft Azure

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Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed various steps to Create Azure Free Account.

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