Creating and Deploying a Windows 11 Virtual Machine on Microsoft Azure
Tags: virtualmachine, cloudcomputing, microsoft, azure
Published: 2024-06-12 18:46:55

Azure virtual machines (VMs) can be created through the Azure portal. This method provides a browser-based user interface to create VMs and their associated resources. This blog post shows you how to use the Azure portal to deploy a virtual machine (VM) in Azure that runs Windows 11 pro server. To see your VM in action, you can download the RDP file and open on your physical computer.

If you don't have an Azure subscription, create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/?WT.mc_id=A261C142F) before you begin.


**Sign in to Azure**
Sign in to the [Azure portal](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/azure-portal).

**Create virtual machine**
- Enter virtual machines in the search.

- Under Services, select Virtual machines.

- Subscription: Choose the appropriate subscription.

- Resource Group: Create a new or select an existing resource group.-_Tracy_

- Virtual machine name: Give your VM a unique name -_MyAzureVM_.

- Region: Choose the data center region of your choice, preferably a region closest to you.

- Availability options: Select the availability preferences.

- Choose Windows 11 Pro, version 22H2 - x64 Gen2 (free services eligible) for the Image. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/j3cy7rgtolgmuw1gsbx1.jpeg)

**Setting Up Authentication and Security**
- Under Administrator account, provide a username, such as _TracyChinedu_ and a password. The password must be at least 12 characters long and meet the defined complexity requirements.

- Under Inbound port rules, choose Allow selected ports and then select RDP (3389)
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zndsse1z241m5q7afrnq.jpeg)

- Select confirmation of licensing.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vbitoiv3ljvfqrwqwoui.png)


**Configuring Disks and Storage**

- Under “Disks,” choose the OS disk type (Standard HDD, Standard SSD, Premium SSD).

- Adjust the OS disk size according to your needs.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/twjra3qlkmu8q7qs7r7q.jpeg)

**Network Configuration**
- Choose an existing virtual network and subnet or create new ones.
- Assign a public IP address if needed.
- Configure network security groups to control traffic.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/f5idgtwnx1y2cjir1g1m.jpeg)

**Management**
This helps to manage roles and acces, for this project we are leaving it as default.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/48wqz2jurs73y6i2f7ct.jpeg)

**Monitoring**
Enable with managed storage account

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/86oe95wny6zbpjl3dvb6.jpeg)

**Tags**
Tagging in Azure enables you to label your resources in a logical manner, including individual resources, resource groups, and subscriptions.For this project,we are leaving as default.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p306o2zt8v3i59ysb4ee.png)

**Review + Create**

- Review all your configuration settings to ensure accuracy.

- Validate that your selections align with your intended VM setup.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kby7ua2eatsc9v1hqm5p.jpeg)

**Deploying the Virtual Machine**

- Click the “Create” button to initiate the VM creation process.

- Azure will begin provisioning your virtual machine based on your configuration.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/a54u9gl2asl26gq0xmn2.png)

**Deployment Complete**
- Click on _Connect_
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0d4nzk3an0j372xcazu2.png)

**Download RDP file**
- Click on download RDP file
- Open file,it will prompt a box
- Click conect, enter the admin username and password of the VM.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/tdzpowv9ig5s1vl94vsz.png)

**Virtual machine is ready**
Virtual machines can run programs and operating systems, store data, connect to networks, and do other computing functions just like the physical computer.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0bd56dkfcetqspzlatdz.jpg)

**Clean Up**
After creating and deploying the Vm, since this project is just for practice.We clean up by deleting the resource group to avoid incurring cost.

- Search for resource group
- Select _Tracy_ the resource group that was created for this VM

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/q1gkht2210t8x0rulqge.png)


- Select all resources that were created
- Click delete
- Enter resource group name to confirm deletion
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9gdli01wd1cho5tfbzke.png)

**Conclusion**

In this guide, I’ve taken you through the step-by-step process of creating a virtual machine in Microsoft Azure. By now, you should have a clear understanding of the various configuration options and settings involved. Virtual machines provide an incredibly flexible way to deploy and manage your applications in the cloud.