Step-by-Step: Get up to $200 in FREE Cloud Services with a Windows Azure Trial Subscription

Using the 4 easy steps provided in this article, you’ll be able to activate a FREE Windows Azure Trial Subscription, suitable for building your Lab in the Cloud for Windows Server 2012 R2 or Linux without the need for local on-premises lab hardware.  This trial subscription provides a tremendous opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the cloud – it provides up to 30 Days or $200 USD of “cloud credit” to use as you see fit for building new cloud-based lab solutions involving Cloud Storage, Virtual Networks and Virtual Machines.

Step 1 – Sign-up for a new Microsoft Account ( aka., Windows Live ID )

Your Microsoft Account is used to both sign-up for a FREE Windows Azure Trial, as well as sign-in to the Windows Azure Management Portal to provision and manage Cloud resources.  Even if you already have a pre-existing Microsoft Account, many IT Pros prefer to sign-up for a unique account to better track Windows Azure resources.

• DO IT:Sign-up for a new Microsoft Account ( note, that depending on your Internet web browser configuration, you may need to launch this link from within an In-Private browsing window ).

Step 1 – Sign-up for a new Microsoft Account

• Country and ZIP Code: When completing this form, please be sure to accurately reflect your country ( United States ) and ZIP code to take advantage of this special offer.

Step 2 – Launch the FREE Trial Preview Page

To request a FREE Windows Azure Trial with the appropriate evaluation resources, launch the FREE Trial Preview Page using the link below:

• DO IT:Launch the Windows Azure FREE Trial Page for Windows Server 2012 R2

Step 2 – Launch the FREE Trial Preview Page

• From this page, be sure to select Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Preview on Windows Azure from the drop-down list.
• Click the GET STARTED NOW button to continue.

Step 3 – Register for the FREE Windows Azure Trial

On the Windows Azure page, register for a Windows Azure FREE Trial subscription.

• DO IT: On the Windows Azure page, click on the TRY IT NOW button.

Step 3 – Click on “Try it now” to Register for your FREE Trial

Step 4 – Submit the Windows Azure Free Trial Registration Form

To activate your Windows Azure FREE Trial subscription request, submit a completed registration form.

• DO IT: Complete each field on the registration form and click the SIGN UP button.
  
  Step 4 – Submit the Windows Azure FREE Trial Registration

NOTE: When completing the Windows Azure FREE Trial Registration form, you will be asked to supply valid Credit Card information in Section 3 of the form highlighted in the figure above.  This information is securely processed for validating your individual identity ONLY.  Your credit card account WILL NOT BE CHARGED during the FREE Trial Subscription period, unless you EXPLICITLY decide to convert your FREE Trial Subscription to a PAID Subscription at a later point in time.  It may be interesting to note that this requirement is not unique to the Windows Azure free trial subscription program - as most cloud providers in the industry generally require credit card information to validate the identity of individuals when signing up for trial programs of this nature.

Completed! Your Windows Azure FREE Trial is now Active!

After completing the 4 steps above, you should now have an active Windows Azure FREE Trial Subscription to use for building your cloud-based lab environment.

Completed! Your Windows Azure FREE Trial is now Active.

Let’s Build IT in the Cloud!

To get started exploring key IT Pro cloud scenarios that you can leverage with your FREE Windows Azure Trial subscription, be sure to check out the next step resources below:

• DO IT:Cloud Labs - 20+ Key IT Pro Cloud Scenarios with Windows Azure Infrastructure Services

See you in the clouds!

-Kevin

(NOTE: BIG thanks to Keith Mayer for writing this up.  I’m posting here with his permission.)