Introduction

Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of services, and one of the fundamental services is the ability to create and manage virtual machines (VMs). In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of launching your first virtual machine in Azure.


Step 1: Sign in to the Azure Portal

To create a virtual machine in Azure, you need an Azure account. If you don't have one, sign up for a free account.

Next, sign in to the Azure Portal using your Azure account credentials.


Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

Once you're logged into the Azure Portal, follow these steps to create a virtual machine:

  1. Click on "Create a resource" on the left sidebar.
  2. Search for "Windows Server" or "Linux" depending on your choice of operating system.
  3. Click on your choice of OS to proceed with the VM creation.

Step 3: Configure VM Settings

You'll need to configure various settings for your virtual machine, such as:

  • Choose a name for your VM.
  • Select the operating system image (Windows or Linux).
  • Choose the VM size based on your requirements.
  • Configure network settings, storage, and other options as needed.

Step 4: Review and Create

Review the settings you've configured and click "Review + create" to proceed. Ensure that all the settings are as you want them.


Step 5: Create Your Virtual Machine

After reviewing, click "Create" to initiate the virtual machine creation process. Azure will start provisioning your VM, which may take a few minutes.


Step 6: Access Your Virtual Machine

Once your VM is provisioned, you can access it using various methods, such as remote desktop (RDP) for Windows or SSH for Linux. You'll need the credentials you specified during the setup.


Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully launched your first virtual machine in Azure. This is just the beginning of what you can do with Azure's cloud computing capabilities. You can now start running applications, hosting websites, and more on your Azure VM.