A Windows Virtual Machine (VM) in Microsoft Azure allows you to run Windows-based applications and services in a cloud environment without maintaining physical hardware. Azure VMs are scalable, secure, and cost-effective, making them ideal for development, testing, hosting applications, and enterprise workloads.
Steps to Create a Windows Virtual Machine in Azure
1. Sign in to Azure Portal
• Go to Azure Portal and log in with your Microsoft account.
2. Navigate to Virtual Machines
• In the Azure dashboard, click on “Create a resource” → Select “Virtual Machine” under Compute.
3. Configure the Virtual Machine
• Subscription: Choose your active Azure subscription.
• Resource Group: Create a new group or select an existing one.
• Virtual Machine Name: Enter a unique name for your VM.
• Region: Choose the Azure region closest to your location for better performance.
• Image: Select the Windows Server version (e.g., Windows Server 2022).
• Size: Pick a VM size based on your needs (Basic, Standard, or Premium).
4. Set Up Administrator Account
• Create a username and password for remote access (RDP).
5. Configure Inbound Ports
• To enable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), select Allow RDP (port 3389).
6. Set Up Storage and Networking
• Choose an OS disk type (Standard HDD, SSD, or Premium SSD).
• Configure Virtual Network (VNet) and Subnet settings.
7. Review and Create
• Click Review + Create, check all configurations, and then click Create.
8. Access the Virtual Machine
• Once the deployment is complete, go to Virtual Machines in the portal.
• Click on your VM and download the RDP file to connect to your Windows VM.
Key Benefits of Using Windows VMs in Azure
• Scalability – Easily increase or decrease resources as needed.
• Security – Built-in Azure Security Center for monitoring and protection.
• Cost-Effective – Pay-as-you-go pricing with flexible billing options.
• High Availability – Ensures reliability and uptime for enterprise applications.
Creating a Windows Virtual Machine in Azure allows businesses and developers to run applications, host services, and manage workloads efficiently in the cloud.