Ever thought of developing a program for Azure or M365 without risks? Here’s a safe and free sandbox you probably didn’t know about.
What is the Microsoft Developer Program?
The Microsoft Developer Program is a fully licensed Azure tenant equipped with sample data like logs, SharePoint files, and users. It’s everything an aspiring developer could wish for. And the most enticing aspect? It’s completely free. It’s not often that Microsoft offers such a valuable resource at no cost, but as long as you’re actively using the platform, it remains free to use.
Who Can Use It?
This isn’t exclusive to developers. Anyone wanting to experiment with Azure can access it. For instance, if your company is considering software to manage your Azure users or licenses, this program provides an ideal platform to evaluate potential solutions without exposing your actual data.
Getting Started
Convinced? Here’s how to dive in:
- Visit the Microsoft Developer Program website.
- Click the join button. To sign up, you’ll need:
- A personal Outlook address (corporate accounts are not eligible).
- A cell phone number to receive SMS (VoIP doesn’t work, and multiple attempts with VoIP numbers might flag your account for deletion).
Once you’ve input the required information, a user-friendly wizard will guide you through the process, culminating in access to a full Azure environment, complete with a developer E5 license. And guess what? This license also incorporates Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So, while you’re exploring Azure, feel free to dive into software development for these applications as well.
In Conclusion
With a vast array of resources readily available at no cost, the Microsoft Developer Program is a hidden gem waiting to be unearthed. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, IT professional, or just Azure-curious, this is your golden opportunity to explore without any financial strings attached. Dive into a world of endless possibilities today!
