Azure free account and credits - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Azure free account and credits

User signs up for Azure free account

↓

Azure verifies user identity

↓

Account created with free credits

↓

User deploys services using credits

↓

Credits decrease as services run

↓

Credits reach zero or expire

↓

User upgrades to paid account or stops

This flow shows how a user signs up for an Azure free account, receives credits, uses them to run services, and what happens when credits run out.

Execution Sample

Azure

Sign up -> Verify identity -> Receive $200 credits -> Deploy VM -> Credits decrease -> Credits expire

This sequence shows the main steps from signing up to using and consuming free credits in Azure.

Process Table

Step	Action	Credits Before	Credits Used	Credits After	Notes
1	User signs up	0	0	0	No credits yet
2	Azure verifies identity	0	0	0	Verification step
3	Account created with free credits	0	0	200	User gets $200 credits
4	User deploys VM costing $50	200	50	150	Credits decrease by VM cost
5	User deploys database costing $30	150	30	120	Credits decrease by DB cost
6	User runs services costing $120	120	120	0	Credits fully used
7	Credits expire after 30 days	0	0	0	No credits left, account switches to pay-as-you-go

💡 Credits reach zero or expire, user must upgrade or stop using free services

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	After Step 6	Final
Credits	0	200	150	120	0	0

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do credits start at 0 and then jump to 200 at step 3?

Credits start at 0 because the account is not created yet. At step 3, Azure grants $200 free credits upon account creation, as shown in the execution_table row 3.

What happens when credits reach zero at step 6?

When credits reach zero, the user cannot use free credits anymore. They must upgrade to a paid account or stop using services, as explained in execution_table row 7.

Do credits decrease immediately after deploying a service?

Yes, credits decrease by the cost of the deployed service right after deployment, as seen in steps 4 and 5 where credits reduce by $50 and $30 respectively.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the credit balance after deploying the VM at step 4?

A 150

B 50

C 200

D 120

💡 Hint

Check the 'Credits After' column in row 4 of the execution_table.

At which step do the credits become zero?

A Step 5

B Step 6

C Step 7

D Step 3

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Credits After' column to find when it reaches 0.

If the user only deployed the VM costing $50, what would the credits be after step 4?

A 100

B 200

C 150

D 50

💡 Hint

Refer to the credits calculation in execution_table row 4.

Concept Snapshot

Azure free account gives $200 credits for 30 days
Credits decrease as user deploys services
When credits reach zero or expire, free usage ends
User can upgrade to paid account anytime
Credits help try Azure without immediate cost

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how a user signs up for an Azure free account and receives $200 in free credits. The credits start at zero before account creation. After verification, the account is created and credits become $200. When the user deploys services like a virtual machine or database, credits decrease by the cost of those services. For example, deploying a VM costing $50 reduces credits from 200 to 150. When credits reach zero or expire after 30 days, the user must upgrade to a paid account or stop using services. This flow helps beginners understand how Azure free credits work step-by-step.

Practice

1. What is the initial credit amount provided by an Azure free account for new users?

easy

A. $300 credits for 15 days

B. $100 credits for 60 days

C. $200 credits for 30 days

D. $50 credits for 90 days

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Azure free account benefits

   Azure free account offers a credit amount to new users to try services without cost.

2. Step 2: Recall the exact credit and duration

   The free account provides $200 credits valid for 30 days after signup.

3. Final Answer:

   $200 credits for 30 days -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Azure free account credit = $200 for 30 days [OK]

Hint: Remember $200 credit lasts 30 days for new Azure accounts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing credit amount with other cloud providers
• Mixing up credit duration with 12-month free services
• Assuming credits renew automatically after 30 days

2. Which of the following statements correctly describes the Azure free account signup process?

easy

A. You must provide a credit card to verify your identity, but you won't be charged initially.

B. You can sign up anonymously without any payment method.

C. You must pay a small fee to activate the free account.

D. You need to provide a phone number only, no credit card required.

Solution

1. Step 1: Review Azure signup requirements

   Azure requires a credit card to verify identity during free account signup.

2. Step 2: Confirm no initial charges

   The credit card is for verification only; no charges occur unless you upgrade.

3. Final Answer:

   You must provide a credit card to verify your identity, but you won't be charged initially. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Credit card required for verification, no initial charge [OK]

Hint: Azure needs credit card for signup but no immediate charge [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking signup is anonymous without payment info
• Assuming a fee is required to activate free account
• Believing phone number alone is enough for signup

3. After signing up for an Azure free account, which of these services remains free for 12 months?

medium

A. Azure Active Directory Premium

B. Unlimited SQL Database storage

C. All Azure services without limits

D. Virtual Machines with 750 hours monthly

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify free services duration

   Azure free account offers some services free for 12 months after signup.

2. Step 2: Recall specific free service limits

   Virtual Machines are free up to 750 hours monthly for 12 months; other options are incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Virtual Machines with 750 hours monthly -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   VMs free 750 hours/month for 12 months [OK]

Hint: Remember 750 VM hours free monthly for 12 months [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all services are free without limits
• Confusing SQL Database free tier with unlimited storage
• Thinking Azure AD Premium is free in the trial

4. You signed up for an Azure free account but see a message saying your $200 credit expired after 30 days. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You used all $200 credits before 30 days

B. You did not upgrade to a paid subscription after 30 days

C. You signed up with an invalid email

D. You did not verify your phone number

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand credit expiration rules

   Azure free credits expire 30 days after signup regardless of usage.

2. Step 2: Identify upgrade requirement

   To continue using services after 30 days, you must upgrade to a paid subscription.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not upgrade to a paid subscription after 30 days -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Credits expire after 30 days without upgrade [OK]

Hint: Upgrade subscription to continue after 30 days [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming credits expire only when fully used
• Blaming email or phone verification for credit expiry
• Thinking credits renew automatically monthly

5. You want to maximize your Azure free account benefits. Which strategy correctly uses both the $200 credit and the 12-month free services?

hard

A. Use $200 credit for paid services first, then use 12-month free services after credit expires

B. Use 12-month free services first, then spend $200 credit on other services

C. Spend $200 credit only on 12-month free services to extend their free period

D. Ignore $200 credit and rely only on 12-month free services

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand credit and free service timelines

   $200 credit lasts 30 days; 12-month free services last longer but have usage limits.

2. Step 2: Plan usage to maximize benefits

   Use $200 credit for services not covered by 12-month free tier first, then use free services after credit expires.

3. Final Answer:

   Use $200 credit for paid services first, then use 12-month free services after credit expires -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Spend credit first, then use 12-month free services [OK]

Hint: Spend credit first, then use free 12-month services [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to extend free services by spending credit on them
• Ignoring credit and missing early trial benefits
• Using free services before credit, losing paid service trial