Tools: A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Creating a Windows Server 2025 Virtual Machine in Azure

Introduction If you’ve ever felt like the Azure Portal looks more like a cockpit than a website, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there—staring at a dozen menus and wondering which button actually does what. But here’s the good news: deploying your first Windows Server 2025 VM is much easier than it looks. > "Windows Server 2025 isn't just an incremental update; it’s a bridge between traditional on-premises reliability and the hyper-scalability of the modern cloud". Windows Server 2025 is the newest powerhouse in Microsoft's lineup, featuring faster storage, tighter security, and a much smoother hybrid-cloud experience. While it represents the "cutting edge," you don't need to be a veteran systems administrator to get it up and running. I’ve put this guide together to be the resource I wish I had when I first started. We’re going to skip the jargon and focus on the "why" and "how." By the end of this article, you won't just have a VM running in the cloud—you'll actually understand the settings that got you there. I’ve put this guide together to be the resource I wish I had when I first started. We’re going to skip the jargon and focus on the "why" and "how." By the end of this article, you won't just have a VM running in the cloud—you'll actually understand the settings that got you there. Let’s dive in and get your first cloud server live! Step 1 Type virtual machine into the search bar. Select Virtual machines from the services list to head to the compute dashboard. Step 2 Click the + Create button in the top-left corner. Choose Azure virtual machine from the dropdown menu. This opens the main configuration form. Step 3 Resource Group: Click Create new and name it (e.g., VmResGp). Think of this as a folder for all your project's files. Virtual machine name: Give your server a unique name like MyAzureVM. Region: Select a location close to you (e.g., South Africa North) to reduce lag. Step 4 Now we choose the "brain" and the "muscle" of the server. Image: Select Windows Server 2025 Datacenter: Azure Edition. Size: For a balance of performance and cost, a size like Standard_D2s_v3 or Standard_DS1_v2 is perfect for beginners. Step 5 You wouldn't leave your front door unlocked; the same applies here. Administrator account: Create a username (like AzureUser) and a strong password. Keep these safe! You'll need them to log in later. Inbound port rules: To actually see your server's desktop, ensure RDP (3389) and HTTP (80) are selected. This allows you to connect remotely. Step 6 Monitoring: Under the Monitoring tab, you can set Boot diagnostics to "Disable" for a simple lab setup to save on storage costs. Step 7 Tags: Use the "Tags" tab to label your resources. For example, set a tag for Department: IT or Staff: [Your Name]. This is a lifesaver for tracking costs later. Step 8 Almost there! Azure will now double-check your settings. Click Review + create. Azure will run a "Validation" to make sure your settings are compatible. Once you see the green "Validation passed" checkmark, click the big blue Create button at the bottom. Step 9 Once the deployment is complete, click Go to resource to open your VM’s overview page. On the VM Overview page, you will see your Primary NIC public IP (e.g., 4.222.232.95). Step 10 Click the Connect button at the top and select Connect. Under the Native RDP section, click the Download RDP file button. Locate the downloaded file in your browser and click Open. Step 11 A Windows Security prompt will appear. Enter the password you created in Step 5 for the user AzureUser If you see a certificate warning stating "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified," simply click Yes to proceed. Step 12 You are now logged into your Windows Server 2025 instance! You can verify the version by going to Settings > System > About, where you’ll see the Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Azure Edition branding and the version 24H2. Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the Azure landscape to deploy, configure, and log into your very own Windows Server 2025 instance. By following these steps, you’ve done more than just "click buttons"—you’ve provisioned enterprise-grade hardware in the cloud, managed secure networking, and explored the latest operating system Microsoft has to offer. Whether you’re using this VM as a sandbox for testing new features or as the first brick in a larger infrastructure project, you now have the foundational skills to scale up whenever you're ready. Quick Cleanup Tip Since this is a cloud environment, remember that costs are billed based on the time the VM is running. To keep your credits safe: Stop the VM in the Azure Portal when you aren't using it. Check that the status says "Deallocated" to ensure you aren't being charged for compute resources. You’re now officially a cloud practitioner. Keep exploring, stay curious, and enjoy the power of Windows Server 2025! Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Are you sure you want to hide this comment? It will become hidden in your post, but will still be visible via the comment's permalink. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse