I often receive messages from people asking, “How do I get started with Microsoft Azure?”, especially those who are completely new to cloud computing or considering a career involving Microsoft technologies. I thought it would be helpful to create a post for anyone looking to take their first steps into Microsoft Azure, with no prior cloud experience assumed.
There is a wealth of information available online about learning Azure, which can make it overwhelming to know where to begin. The abundance of resources can sometimes lead to confusion rather than clarity.
In this post, I’ll recommend a few beginner‑friendly learning resources that I believe are great starting points for understanding Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.
1. Free Azure Fundamentals Learning Path
- Learning path >> Azure Fundamentals
- Estimate time to complete: 1 hour
If you’re new to Azure, I always recommend starting with the Azure Fundamentals learning path on Microsoft Learn.
It’s a free, beginner‑friendly learning path that teaches core cloud concepts and introduces key Azure services. It’s designed to be self‑paced, your progress is saved, so you can learn in short sessions and come back anytime.
For most beginners, this is the best place to start.
2. Full Azure Fundamentals Course on YouTube
YouTube >> Azure Fundamentals Course
Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes
This AZ‑900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals YouTube playlist provides a clear, beginner‑friendly overview of cloud computing and Microsoft Azure.
It follows the official AZ‑900 objectives and covers core cloud concepts, Azure services, security, governance, and pricing in a structured, easy‑to‑follow way. The videos are delivered by Microsoft trainers and align closely with the free Microsoft Learn learning paths.
This is a great option if you prefer learning through video, want a structured walkthrough of Azure fundamentals, or are preparing for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals exam.
3. AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Study Cram YouTube
YouTube >> AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Study Cram
Estimated time to complete: 3.5 hours
John Savill’s AZ‑900 Azure Fundamentals Study Cram is a popular YouTube video that clearly explains Azure fundamentals using a visual, whiteboard‑style approach.
The video covers the same core concepts as the Microsoft Learn Azure Fundamentals content, but presents them in a different way, making it ideal for reinforcing your understanding or revising key topics before taking the certification.
Use this study cram video to solidify your knowledge and see the concepts explained from another perspective.
4. Azure Fundamentals Free Practice test questions
If you’re planning to take the AZ‑900 Azure Fundamentals exam, Microsoft provides a free, official practice assessment to help you test your knowledge and build confidence before sitting the exam.
These practice assessments are hosted on Microsoft Learn, aligned with the latest exam objectives, and can be taken as many times as you like.
To access them:
- Visit the Exam AZ‑900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification page
- Scroll down and select Take a practice assessment
5. Reinforce Your Learning with Hands‑On Azure Labs
While Azure Fundamentals focuses mainly on understanding core concepts, hands‑on practice is one of the best ways to cement your learning.
Microsoft provides a set of official AZ‑900 lab exercises, available on GitHub, which allow you to practice key tasks such as creating resources, exploring core Azure services, understanding pricing, and applying basic governance concepts. These labs are the same exercises used in Microsoft instructor‑led training and are ideal for building confidence navigating the Azure portal and seeing how services work together in real scenarios. You can access them here: Azure Fundamentals Labs
Azure Free Trial
If you don’t currently have an Azure subscription to practice in, Microsoft offers free options. You can sign up for the Azure Free Trial, which includes free credits and access to popular services for learning and experimentation:
🔹Azure Free Trial – Create a Free Azure Account
🔹Azure for Students – Free Azure Credit (No Credit Card Required)
6. Optional: Attend a Free Microsoft Virtual Training Day and receive a 50% discount
As an optional next step, Microsoft regularly runs free Virtual Training Days that are open to everyone and delivered by Microsoft experts. These sessions are designed to help learners build foundational knowledge across Microsoft technologies, including Azure.
If you’re interested in Azure, search for Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day: Fundamentals, which covers core cloud concepts and Azure services at a beginner level. You can browse and register for upcoming sessions here: Microsoft Virtual Training Days
A key benefit of attending these events is that after completing the training, you become eligible to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ‑900) certification exam at 50% off the exam price, making this a great option if you’re planning to sit the exam. To ensure the discount is applied correctly, Microsoft recommends registering for the event using the same email address associated with your Microsoft Learn account.
It’s also worth exploring the other Virtual Training Days available, as many of them offer a 50% exam discount for different Microsoft certifications.
- Visit Microsoft Virtual Training Days
- Click Find a MVTD event
3. Search for fundamentals
4. Click Registration Details under Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day: Fundamentals
5. Read the registration details for any exam offers, as shown in the image below.
I hope you find the resources above useful, and I wish you every success on your Azure learning journey. Questions are a natural part of learning, so if you have any, please start by checking the FAQ section below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to post a question in the comments section.
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions, feel free to check out the FAQ section below. If your question isn’t covered, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help.
- How do I book the exam?
1. Visit the official AZ-900 certification page, scroll down, and select schedule exam.
Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – Certifications
Note: register for the exam using your personal email address: Visit the following blog post for further details: Why You Should Register for Microsoft Certification Exams Using Your Personal Email and Not Your Work or School Account - Is the exam moderated?
Yes. The exam is proctored and monitored by an individual, whether you take the exam online or at a test centre. - I have never taken a Microsoft exam before, what does the exam look like?
If you’re new to Microsoft certification exams, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the exam interface beforehand. Microsoft provides an exam sandbox, which is a simulation of the real exam environment. You can access it here: Exam Sandbox - Do I need to go to a test centre to take the exam?
No. When booking the exam, you can choose to:
– Take the exam at a nearby test centre, or
– Take the exam online from home
Exam rules and guidelines are provided during the booking process. Online exams have additional requirements, which you can view here: About online exams with Pearson VUE - Once I pass the exam, does the Azure Fundamentals certification expire?
No, Microsoft Fundamental certifications do not expire. - Can I retake the exam for free if I fail?
No. You will need to book the exam again and pay the exam fee, unless you have access to a free or discounted exam code. For full details, see: Exam policies and FAQs | Microsoft Learn - Are there any other such Fundamental courses I could study?
Yes. Microsoft offers several other Fundamentals certifications. Learning paths and practice assessments are available for:
– Azure AI Fundamentals
– Azure Data Fundamentals
– Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
– Power Platform Fundamentals
– Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
– Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)
– Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) - Are there additional assessments I can take to build my skills?
Yes. Microsoft offers free, hands‑on assessments through the Applied Skills credentials program. These assessments allow you to complete real‑world tasks in a guided, interactive environment. For more details, see my blog post: The Benefits of FREE Microsoft Applied Skills Credentials – Cloud Build - What course could I study next?
A natural next step after Azure Fundamentals is the Azure Administrator (AZ‑104) certification:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate - My question is not listed
If your question isn’t covered above, please post it in the comments section below. I’ll do my best to respond or point you in the right direction.
Azure 104 involves a lot of networking. If I am weak in networking should I study CCNA or Network + to brush up on my networking knowledge?