If you're thinking about stepping into cloud computing, Azure virtual machines (VMs) are one of the first things you'll encounter. They're the backbone of Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, and understanding them is crucial for anyone looking to build a career in IT infrastructure or cloud administration.
Here's the reality: cloud skills are in massive demand right now. According to 2026 industry data, Azure professionals are earning between £45,000 and £75,000 annually, depending on experience and specialisation. Virtual machine management is one of the core competencies employers are actively seeking.
But let's be honest, Azure VMs can feel overwhelming when you first start. The good news? Once you understand the fundamentals, they're genuinely straightforward to work with.
Before we dive into the technical nitty-gritty, let's break down what Azure VMs actually are.
An Azure virtual machine is essentially a computing resource that lives in Microsoft's cloud. Instead of buying expensive physical servers and managing them in a data centre, you can spin up virtual computers on demand. These VMs run Windows or Linux operating systems and can do everything a traditional server can do.
Think of it like this: rather than owning a car, you're renting one exactly when you need it. You don't worry about maintenance, and you only pay for what you use.
Before creating your first Azure VM, you'll need:
If you're completely new to Azure, we'd strongly recommend starting with foundational Azure Cloud training before diving into VMs specifically.
Head to portal.azure.com and sign in with your Azure account. The dashboard might look busy at first, but you'll get comfortable with it quickly.
In the search bar at the top, type "Virtual Machines" and click on the service. Click the "+ Create" button to start building your VM.
You'll need to fill in several fields:
This is where you pick how powerful your VM should be. For learning purposes, we recommend starting with a Basic or Standard B-series VM. These are cost-effective and perfect for testing.
Costs vary, but a Basic B1s instance typically costs around £0.012 per hour. That's roughly £8.64 per month if it runs continuously.
Set up your login credentials. For Windows, you'll create a username and password. For Linux, you can use SSH keys (more secure, but passwords work fine for beginners).
This determines what traffic can reach your VM. For a web server, you'd open ports 80 and 443. For remote access, you'd open 3389 (Windows RDP) or 22 (Linux SSH).
Be cautious here: only open ports you actually need.
Check everything looks correct, then click "Create". Azure will provision your VM, which usually takes 2-3 minutes.
Once it's running, you can connect to it:
For Windows: Click "Connect" and select RDP. Download the RDP file and open it on your computer.
For Linux: Use an SSH client. You'll need your public IP address and SSH key.
Here's a money-saving tip: stopped VMs still incur storage charges, but you don't pay for compute. If you're not using a VM, stop it rather than leaving it running.
Need more processing power? You can resize most VMs without deleting them. Just ensure the new size is available in your region.
Always create snapshots or backups of important VMs. Azure offers several backup options, though beginners often use manual snapshots through the Azure Portal.
Opening unnecessary ports: Only expose what you need. Every open port is a potential security risk.
Choosing the wrong region: Pick somewhere geographically close to your users to minimise latency.
Ignoring costs: A powerful VM running 24/7 gets expensive quickly. Use Azure cost calculators before creating resources.
Forgetting to clean up: Test VMs left running will drain your budget. Delete resources you're not using.
Weak security practices: Use strong passwords, implement network security groups, and consider enabling Azure Security Centre.
Azure VMs aren't just theoretical. Here's what businesses actually use them for:
Understanding these applications helps you appreciate why VM management skills are so valuable in 2026's job market.
Creating a single VM is just the beginning. Once you're comfortable, consider exploring:
Here's the thing: self-teaching Azure is great, but structured training accelerates your learning dramatically. You'll avoid common pitfalls and learn industry best practices from experienced instructors.
At SmoothOps 365, we offer comprehensive Azure Cloud training designed specifically for UK IT professionals. Our courses include:
Azure Cloud Basic (£1,500): Perfect for beginners. You'll master Azure fundamentals, virtual machines, networking, and storage. You'll understand how to cost-optimise and secure your deployments.
Azure Cloud Advanced (£2,500): For those ready to specialise. Advanced security, disaster recovery, high-availability architecture, and enterprise Azure scenarios.
Both courses include our AI Job Placement Engine at no extra cost. Our June 2026 cohort is booking now, and graduates are landing roles quickly.
Azure virtual machines are your gateway to cloud computing. They're powerful, flexible, and absolutely essential knowledge for modern IT professionals. The fundamentals you'll learn here apply across countless real-world scenarios.
Start with this tutorial, experiment in Azure's free tier, and when you're ready to formalise your knowledge, consider professional training. The investment in structured Azure education pays dividends throughout your career.
Ready to accelerate your Azure journey? Contact SmoothOps 365 today at 01633 226940 or visit smoothops365.com. Our Azure Cloud courses start at £1,500, and we're accepting applications for our June 2026 cohort now.
Your cloud career starts here.
SmoothOps 365 runs live instructor-led training every Saturday and Sunday. 3 months. 52 contact hours. Keep your job while you train.