In just 17 steps you can start your free Azure account giving you 12 months of free popular services and a € 170 credit you can use in the first 30 days after activation.
If I want to talk about Azure and PHP apps, it would be convenient to have a free account with which you can try out my examples.
Before we get started, there are a few things you must have:
- A phone number that can receive phone calls or text messages
- A valid credit card (Visa, American Express, or MasterCard)
Sign up for a free Azure account
Go to azure.microsoft.com and click in the top right on Free account.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/We-provide-the-tools-1024x566.png)
This will take you to a page to get 12 months of free services. Click on the Start for free button.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Azure-free-account-today-1024x566.png)
The site will ask you to log in if you already have an existing Microsoft account or to create a new one if you do not have one. I’m going to create a new one.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pasted-Graphic-2-1024x566.png)
I sign up with an email address I own and click next.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pasted-Graphic-3-1024x566.png)
I now have to provide a password. I recommend using a password manager to create a unique, strong password. I’m using 1password, but other are just as good.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Create-a-password-1024x566.png)
Next Micrsoft needs to know my country and my birthdate (???). The first I can understand for optimal geolocation presence, but a birthdate seems to be odd here.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Country-and-birthdate-1024x566.png)
Once you click next, you need to check the inbox of the email address you have provided. A verification email was sent to it. The security code in bold is important.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Microsoft-Account-Verification-Email-1024x504.png)
Enter the verification code in the web form and click next to continue.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Enter-verification-code-1024x566.png)
To prevent malicious intent on account creations, you need to solve a puzzle first.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Create-account-puzzle-1024x566.png)
The puzzle is a rotation challenge to ensure you are a human. It will also measure the time it took you to complete the puzzle, so don’t rush it.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Rotate-puzzle-1024x566.png)
Once the system confirms you’re human, you need to enter some more information. Complete your profile details first.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Enter-profile-details-1024x566.png)
The next phase is to verify you via a phone call or a text message.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Phone-verification-1024x566.png)
Next verification step is to verify you have a valid credit card.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Credit-Card-verification-1024x570.png)
Last step in this process it to accept terms and conditions before you can actually sign up.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Agreement-and-conditions-1024x566.png)
While Microsoft is processing your information and is setting up your Azure account, they ask for your feedback.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Confirming-your-information-1024x566.png)
Once everything is verified and confirmed, you can now start your Azure experience.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Start-with-Azure-1024x566.png)
You will be taken into the Azure Portal Quickstart Center where you can find more information about the services Azure has to offer.
![](https://www.azurephp.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Quickstart-Center-1024x566.png)
In my opinion these are way too many steps and is Microsoft asking more information than they should for a “try before you buy” of their Azure services.
[…] you don’t have an Azure account yet, create one. Look at my post Create a free Azure account for details on what to expect and a step-by-step guide to create a free […]