Setup your Windows Azure Platform

This article helps to create or setup your account for Windows Azure Platform (Introductory Special Offer), Pay per Use offer.

Visit URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/offers/

Microsoft Introductory Special offer helps to create or setup your account for a limit period of time.

The easiest way to get started with Windows Azure. Includes a fixed amount of services at no cost after which you just pay at 

standard consumption rates. Before starting, compare all offers side-by-side in a comparison table (IMG 1) and also click on Learn More (IMG 2) link.

Note: Also, before starting you need to sign up for Windows Live ID (www.passport.net/) or use your valid Windows Live ID.

Now click on button "Buy". There will be total 4 steps to complete the registration.

Step 1: Contact Information

Enter your contact details, select the check box's and click on button "Next".

Step 2: Pricing Information

Enter the Subscription Name (IMG 3 - Just a user entry for your reference. E.g. Hello_MySubscription). Select the check box and click on button "Next".

Step 3: Billing Information

Enter the Purchase Order No (Just a user entry for your reference. E.g. 111) and other details. Select the check box and click on button "Next".

You will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number about Purchase Order, if you registered with your card company for messaging services.

Step 4: Online Subscription Agreement

IMG 4 shows the company details with the agreement. You can update this during the User ID registration.

Once you are registered it's difficult to change the company details. 

Select the check box and click on button "Purchase" if you proceeding with the agreement else click "Cancel".

Confirmation Message

Click button "Finish" to complete the process.

You will get redirected as shown in the screen below, which has all your subscription details.



Note: Or, check your registered email inbox for all the confirmation mails sent from Microsoft Online Services Team. 

Open the email with subject "Purchase confirmation of order xxxxxx", click on link "Microsoft Online Services Customer Portal" 

and sign in to access your account and subscription details.
 
Summary
 
Hope this article helped you to create your first Windows Azure subscription. Please comment!