What is Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine?

A Microsoft Azure Windows 11 Virtual Machine (VM) provides a flexible solution for deploying cloud-based, on-demand computing resources that function similarly to physical hardware. By using a Windows 11 VM on Azure, users can enjoy the latest Windows operating system while leaving their main system unchanged, facilitating safer experimentation, testing, and development. Whether you are a developer, IT expert, or tech enthusiast, setting up a Windows 11 VM on Azure offers a secure environment without requiring extra hardware investments.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of creating a Windows 11 virtual machine on Microsoft Azure using the Azure portal. It provides detailed instructions for configuring and launching your VM.

Step 1: Sign In to the Azure Portal

Create an Azure Account and Subscription

To start, you’ll need an Azure account. If you’re new to Azure, Microsoft offers a free account that includes a credit for exploring various services. You can sign up at the Azure portal. After setting up your subscription, you’ll have access to various levels, such as Free, Pay-as-you-Go, or Enterprise options

Step 2: Launch the Virtual Machine Creation Wizard

Access the Azure Portal

Once registered, log in to the Azure portal using your credentials. The portal’s home page gives you quick access to core services, frequently accessed resources and built-in management tools. Here, you can initiate new services, review recent activity, and access documentation. If you need a specific tool or resource, use the Search bar or navigate through the portal menu, which is accessible across every page.

Clicking + Create starts the configuration wizard. This wizard will guide you through assigning essential settings for your VM, including resource group selection, VM size, security, and disk options.

"Experience the future of computing with a Microsoft Azure Windows 11 Virtual Machine—harnessing the power, flexibility, and security of the cloud to run the latest Windows OS anytime, anywhere. Whether for development, testing, or productivity, Azure’s scalable platform transforms your desktop experience into an on-demand, high-performance workspace."

Step 3: Configure Resource-Specific Settings

The settings at this stage will define the specifications and functionalities of your VM. It’s important to note that while some configurations are adjustable post-deployment, certain settings are permanent. The configuration tabs include:

Tags
Basics
Disks
Networking
Management
Monitoring
Advanced

Basics Tab

The Basics section is where you define the foundational elements of your VM:

- Subscription

Select the subscription plan you’re using. Subscriptions in Azure operate like service plans that provide access to Azure’s ecosystem. Choose your current subscription or any other relevant options, whether free, trial, or paid.

- Resource Group

Resource groups help in organizing and managing your Azure assets. Think of them as folders containing resources, such as virtual machines, databases, and storage accounts. You can either use an existing resource group or create a new one.

Instance Details

• VM Name:
  Enter a unique name for your virtual machine, making it easily identifiable.

• Region:
  Choose the data center region where your VM will be hosted. Azure regions represent geographically distinct locations with independent data centers designed for high availability and low latency. US West 2 is recommended because it is more cost-effective when compared to other regions.

• Availability Options:
  Select ''No Infrastructure Redundancy Required' to increase VM redundancy. Availability Zones within a region are isolated, reducing downtime in case of hardware failure.

• Security Type and Image

Choose Windows 11 Pro as the image, which serves as the template for your VM. This image is essentially a blueprint that includes the OS and basic software configurations.

VM Size

Select a VM size based on your project requirements. Larger VMs offer more CPU power and RAM but are also costlier. Click See all sizes to explore options if the suggested sizes don’t fit your needs. For this demonstration, the "Standard B1is- 1 vcpu, 0.5 GiB memory ($3.80/month)" is selected

Administrator Account Configuration

Inbound Port Rules

Azure’s networking options help secure access to your VM:

• Allow Selected Ports: Choose RDP (3389), allowing remote desktop protocol access for remote connections. This setting is especially useful for those managing their VMs from different devices or locations.

Click Next: Disks to proceed.

Step 4: Configure Disk Options

• OS Disk Type

Select Standard SSD or Premium SSD based on your VM performance needs. Standard SSDs are reliable and more economical, while Premium SSDs are suitable for I/O-intensive applications.

• Additional Disks

Azure enables you to add data disks if needed, allowing you to customize storage based on workload demands. For basic tasks, the OS disk is generally sufficient.

After setting up disks, click Next: Networking.

Step 5: Configure Networking Settings

Azure VMs require network configurations for connectivity and security. In the Networking tab, options include:

• Virtual Network

Select or create a virtual network (VNet) where your VM will reside. VNets facilitate communication between Azure resources.

• Public IP

Assign a public IP if you need internet access for your VM.

• NIC Network Security Group (NSG)

Use NSGs to control inbound and outbound network traffic, adding an extra layer of security.

After configuring your network settings, click Next: Management.

Step 6: Enable Management and Monitoring

In the Management tab, you can configure settings for VM monitoring and management:

• Boot Diagnostics:
  Enable this feature to capture boot logs in case of startup issues.

• System-Assigned Managed Identity:
  Assign a managed identity to simplify VM access to other Azure services.

For monitoring, enable Azure Monitor and Auto-shutdown to help control costs.

Proceed by clicking Next: Advanced.

Step 7: Apply Advanced Configurations

The Advanced tab provides additional options for extensions and scripts. Here, you can install extensions or run automation scripts that enhance VM functionality. These options are ideal for users requiring specific configurations during deployment.

Step 8: Organize Resources with Tags

Tags are custom labels that help organize and manage resources, making it easier to categorize and track costs, environments, or projects.

Tag Name: Enter a name to identify your VM or categorize it by project or team.

After adding tags, click Review + Create

Step 9: Validate and Deploy Your Virtual Machine

Azure will validate your settings to ensure compatibility. If validation flags any issues, you’ll need to adjust your settings accordingly.

Once validated:

1. Click **Create **to deploy your VM.

2. Azure will initiate the VM creation process, which can take a few minutes

After deployment, click Go to Resource to access your VM’s details.

Step 10: Connect to Your Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Once your VM is ready, connect to it remotely:

• In the Overview page, select Connect and choose RDP as the connection method.

• Download the RDP file and open it to establish a remote connection.

• Enter the administrator username and password created earlier

• Accept the security prompt by clicking Yes to connect.

You’re now connected to your Windows 11 VM and can start exploring Windows 11 features in a secure environment.

Setting up a Windows 11 VM on Azure offers flexibility, security, and access to the latest Windows features without affecting your primary system. This setup is perfect for testing applications, exploring Windows 11, or performing isolated tasks in a dedicated environment. By following this guide, you’ll be able to configure and deploy a fully operational Windows 11 virtual machine, optimizing your cloud computing experience on Microsoft Azure.