As a developer, you know that having access to the right tools can make all the difference in creating successful projects. Fortunately, Microsoft has the tools, and to explore them you only need to create a Microsoft developer account.
In this article, I will guide you through the simple steps of creating a free account in minutes. Once your account is set up, you can start exploring these tools to help you achieve your goals faster and with greater ease.
So, let’s get started.
Creating a Microsoft Developer Account
To start with, go to the Microsoft developer website, and click on the “Sign in” button in the top right corner of the page.
If you already have a Microsoft account, you can sign in with those credentials, but if not, click on the “Create one!” button to create a new account.
Once you sign in or create a new account, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Azure portal, where you can access all of Microsoft developer tools. From here, you can set up a virtual machine to host your applications.
The Microsoft Azure portal can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it is actually quite simple to navigate.
The main dashboard gives you an overview of all your resources, including virtual machines, databases, and storage accounts. From here, you can easily create new resources, manage existing ones, and monitor your usage.
To create a resource, simply click on the “Create a resource” button in the top left corner of the dashboard. This will bring up a list of all the available resources, such as virtual machines, databases, web apps, etc.
Then select the resource you want to create and follow the prompts to configure it to your specifications.
Setting up a Virtual Machine
Setting up a virtual machine in Azure is a great way to host your applications and test them in a controlled environment.
To set up a virtual machine, click on the “Create a resource” button in the Azure portal, and select “Windows Server” or “Linux” as your operating system, then choose the size and other specifications for your virtual machine.
Once the virtual machine is created, you can connect to it using Remote Desktop or SSH. From there, you can install any necessary software or tools, such as Visual Studio or Git.
Installing Visual Studio
Visual Studio is one of the most popular developer tools in the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers a wide range of functions and integrations that can aid in the development and deployment of apps.
To install Visual Studio, go to the Visual Studio download page. Then select the version of Visual Studio you want to install, and follow the prompts to download and install it on your machine.
Once you install Visual Studio, you can start creating your first project. To create your project in Visual Studio, open Visual Studio and select “Create a new project” from the start page.
Then select the type of project you want to create, such as a console application or web app, and follow the prompts to configure your project to your specifications.
Once you create this project, you can start writing code and testing your application. Visual Studio offers a wide range of debugging and testing tools to help you catch any errors or issues in your code.
Collaboration and Version Control With Azure DevOps
Azure DevOps is a Microsoft collaboration and version control tool set, that offers a wide range of features such as code reviews, pull requests, and continuous integration and deployment.
To get started with Azure DevOps, go to the Azure DevOps portal, where you can create new projects and invite team members for collaborations.
With Azure DevOps, you can manage code and collaborate on projects with your team. For instance, you can create new branches for features or bug fixes, submit pull requests for review, merge changes into the main branch, and deploy your code.
Additional Resources and Learning Opportunities for Microsoft Developer Account
Microsoft provides a wealth of resources and learning opportunities to help you make the most of its developer tools.
For example, the Microsoft Learn platform offers tutorials and courses to help you learn new skills and technologies.
Also, Microsoft hosts events and webinars, such as the annual Microsoft Build conference—a great opportunity to learn the latest trends in the industry, and network with other developers.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Developer Tools
The developer tools from Microsoft come with a lot of benefits that can improve your projects and optimize your process. One of the foremost benefits of Microsoft Developer Tools is the integration between them.
This means that switching between various tools within the ecosystem is easy. For instance, you can create a virtual machine in Azure and use Visual Studio to develop and deploy your application to the virtual machine.
Another benefit of using Microsoft Developer Tools is the vast community of developers who use them. This means that there are plenty of resources available to help you learn and troubleshoot any issues you may come across.
Finally, Microsoft Developer Tools are constantly evolving. So, you must stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices to take your skills to the next level.
FAQs
Why use Microsoft developer tools?
Microsoft developer tools offer benefits such as seamless integration, improved workflow, extensive support resources, etc
What tools can I access with a free Microsoft developer account?
You can access Visual Studio Code, Azure DevOps, GitHub, virtual machine creation, web app hosting, and other development and testing tools.
Are there limitations to using a free Microsoft developer account?
Yes, there are limits on virtual machine creation and storage use, and some services require a paid account upgrade.
Nonetheless, a free account is a great way to start using Microsoft developer tools.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know how to create a free Microsoft Developer account in just a few minutes.
With your new account, you have access to various developer tools and services—allowing you to code, collaborate, and deploy your applications like a pro.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now and start your journey toward becoming a coding wizard! Remember, the only limit is your imagination (and maybe a little bit of debugging).
Happy coding!
If you enjoyed reading this, you can also read about the Microsoft 365 Apps & Services and how to unlock its full potential.