Top 20 Free Microsoft Azure Courses for Beginners and Pros (2025)

Are you looking to break into cloud computing, data analytics, or AI without spending a dime? Microsoft has you covered. From Azure fundamentals to advanced AI solutions, these free courses are packed with video lectures, hands-on tutorials, and concise notes.

Why Learn Microsoft Azure for Free?

Cost-Effective Skill Building: No tuition, certificates, or hidden fees—just high-quality, self-paced learning.
Industry Credibility: Microsoft Azure certifications and knowledge are recognized globally, making your resume stand out.
Flexible Formats: Video lectures, downloadable notes, interactive labs—you choose how you learn best.
Career Growth: Whether you’re aiming for cloud engineering, data science, or AI development, Azure skills are in high demand.

1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900T00)

Duration: 24 Hours
Course Link: AZ-900T00

Overview:
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is designed for beginners who want to understand core Azure services—computing, storage, networking, and security. This 24-hour course covers:

Cloud concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
Core Azure services (VMs, App Services, Storage)
Security, privacy, compliance, and trust
Pricing and support plans

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

No Prerequisites: Perfect for absolute beginners.
Quick Win: In a single day, grasp core cloud concepts.
Certification Prep: Lays the groundwork for AZ-900 certification, boosting your credibility.

2. Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (AZ-204T00)

Duration: 120 Hours
Course Link: AZ-204T00

Overview:
AZ-204 dives into building, testing, and maintaining cloud applications on Azure. Over 120 hours, you’ll explore:

Developing Azure compute solutions (Functions, App Service)
Implementing Azure storage (Blobs, Cosmos DB)
Integrating Azure security (Managed Identities, Key Vault)
Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing Azure solutions

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Hands-On Labs: Practice in sandboxed environments.
Developer-Focused: Ideal if you already know basic coding (C#, Java, Python).
Job-Ready Skills: Learn to create scalable, reliable, and secure cloud apps.

3. Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104T00)

Duration: 96 Hours
Course Link: AZ-104T00

Overview:
AZ-104 prepares you to manage Azure identities, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks. Key topics include:

Managing Azure subscriptions and resources
Implementing and managing storage solutions
Deploying and managing virtual machines (VMs)
Configuring virtual networking, connectivity, and identity

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Administrator Track: Geared toward aspiring Cloud Administrators.
Real-World Scenarios: Set up resource groups, VNets, and access controls.
Certification Prep: Positions you for the AZ-104 exam, a highly recognized credential.

4. Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AZ-140T00)

Duration: 96 Hours
Course Link: AZ-140T00

Overview:
If remote work has heightened your interest in VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), AZ-140 shows you how to deploy, configure, and manage Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). Course highlights:

Setting up AVD environments (host pools, workspaces)
Managing user access and security for desktops and applications
Monitoring and optimizing performance
Automating deployments with PowerShell and ARM templates

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Remote Work Expertise: Learn one of the most in-demand cloud skills post-2020.
Hands-On Practice: Use real Azure subscriptions to configure AVD.
Competitive Edge: Stand out as a specialist in VDI solutions.

5. Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (AZ-305T00)

Duration: 96 Hours
Course Link: AZ-305T00

Overview:
For those eyeing architect roles, AZ-305 teaches design patterns for Azure infrastructure. You’ll tackle:

Designing identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
Designing data storage solutions (SQL, Cosmos DB, Blob Storage)
Designing business continuity strategies (disaster recovery, backup)
Designing infrastructure for compute, networking, and applications

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Architect Track: Essential for Azure Solutions Architect certification.
Blueprint-Level Thinking: Learn to align business requirements with Azure capabilities.
Project-Based Learning: Work on real-world design scenarios and case studies.

6. Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900T00)

Duration: 24 Hours
Course Link: DP-900T00

Overview:
DP-900 is your gateway to cloud data services. In 24 hours, you’ll learn:

Core data concepts (relational, non-relational, big data)
Relational data workloads on Azure (Azure SQL, Managed Instances)
Non-relational data workloads (Cosmos DB, Azure Table Storage)
Analytics workloads (Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks)

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Data-Driven Roles: Ideal if you want to pivot to data engineering or analytics.
Fast Track: Gain foundational knowledge in a single day.
In-Demand Skills: Cloud data architects and analysts are highly sought after.

7. Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900T00)

Duration: 24 Hours
Course Link: AI-900T00

Overview:
AI-900 focuses on AI and machine learning concepts in Azure. Topics include:

AI workloads and considerations (ML vs. AI vs. DL)
Fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure
Computer vision workloads (Face API, Custom Vision)
Natural language processing (NLP) using Azure Cognitive Services

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Beginner-Friendly: No coding required—conceptual overview only.
AI Essentials: Understand AI services without getting into heavy development.
Career Pivot: Perfect for marketers, project managers, or anyone curious about Azure AI.

8. Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution (AI-102T00)

Duration: 96 Hours
Course Link: AI-102T00

Overview:
AI-102 bridges the gap between fundamentals and hands-on AI development. You’ll explore:

Creating responsible AI solutions (fairness, explainability)
Processing and analyzing images and text data
Implementing speech conversations (Speech SDK, Bot Framework)
Integrating Azure AI services (Cognitive Search, Custom Vision)

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Developer-Oriented: Build real AI workloads with Azure SDKs and APIs.
Ethics + Compliance: Learn Microsoft’s best practices for responsible AI.
Certification Prep: Prepares you for AI-102 certification, highly respected in AI roles.

9. Develop Generative AI Solutions with Azure OpenAI Service (AI-050T00)

Duration: 24 Hours
Course Link: Browse AI-050T00

Overview:
AI-050 teaches you how to harness Azure OpenAI Service to build next-gen, generative AI apps. You’ll cover:

Setting up Azure OpenAI Service and managing API keys
Fine-tuning GPT models for domain-specific tasks
Integrating generative AI into web/mobile apps
Responsible usage guidelines (safety, bias mitigation)

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Cutting-Edge Skills: Generative AI is transforming industries—get in early.
Hands-On Demos: Build chatbots, content generators, and more.
Boosted Employability: Job postings for “Azure OpenAI” roles are on the rise.

10. Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900T00)

Duration: 24 Hours
Course Link: SC-900T00

Note: The link provided references SC-200T00. As of June 4, 2025, SC-900T00 details are here:
SC-900T00

Overview:
SC-900 covers the basics of security, compliance, and identity in Microsoft cloud services. In 24 hours, you’ll learn:

Cloud security and zero-trust fundamentals
Core Azure identity services (Azure AD, Conditional Access)
Security and compliance solutions (Microsoft Defender, Sentinel)
Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) on Microsoft cloud

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Security Primer: A foundational course for any IT or cloud role.
Compliance Know-How: Critical for industries like healthcare, finance, and government.
Preparation for SC-900: Jumpstart your journey toward the SC-900 certification.

11. Data Science for Beginners

Duration: 10 Weeks (20 Lessons)
Course Link: Data Science for Beginners

Overview

A structured open-source curriculum created by Microsoft. It introduces the basics of data science, including Python, data preparation, visualization, statistics, and machine learning concepts.

Why Take This Course?

Structured Learning: 10 weeks of lessons with quizzes, assignments, and projects.
Hands-On Practice: Real-world datasets and coding exercises.
Foundation for AI/ML: Builds skills for advanced Microsoft AI and ML learning paths.

12. Python for Beginners

Duration: Self-paced (Video-based)
Course Link: Python for Beginners

Overview

Learn Python from scratch with guided lessons covering syntax, variables, loops, functions, and beginner projects.

Why Take This Course?

No Experience Needed: Perfect entry point into programming.
Practical Projects: Write your first Python scripts and apps.
Widely Used Language: Python powers AI, web, and automation.

13. Introduction to Machine Learning with Python

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Introduction to ML with Python

Overview

Introduces machine learning concepts using Python, including classification, regression, clustering, and model evaluation.

Why Take This Course?

Core ML Concepts: Understand how algorithms work.
Code Along: Implement models with Python libraries.
Step Toward AI: Prepares you for Azure Machine Learning and AI-900.

14. Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Azure AI Fundamentals

Overview

Learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and how Microsoft Azure provides services for vision, language, decision-making, and responsible AI.

Why Take This Course?

Certification Prep: Maps directly to Exam AI-900.
Cloud + AI Skills: Learn AI the Microsoft way.
Practical Knowledge: Covers Cognitive Services and AI scenarios.

15. Write Your First Code Using C#

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: C# for Beginners

Overview

A beginner-friendly course introducing C# programming through simple applications, covering variables, methods, and control flow.

Why Take This Course?

Start Coding: Write your first lines of C#.
Practical Projects: Build simple console applications.
Industry Use: Essential for .NET and Windows development.

16. Get Started with AI on Azure

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: AI on Azure

Overview

A short, focused module introducing Azure Cognitive Services, responsible AI, and AI applications in the cloud.

Why Take This Course?

Quick Intro: Ideal if you want a short taste of AI on Azure.
Hands-On: Explore real AI use cases.
Practical Foundation: Prepares you for deeper Azure AI courses.

17. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe Cloud Concepts

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Azure Fundamentals

Overview

Learn the basic concepts of cloud computing, including scalability, elasticity, reliability, and global Azure infrastructure.

Why Take This Course?

Certification Prep: Maps directly to Exam AZ-900.
Cloud Basics: Understand IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
Career-Ready: Ideal for anyone starting in IT or cloud.

18. Introduction to GitHub

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Introduction to GitHub

Overview

Learn GitHub essentials including repositories, commits, branching, pull requests, and collaboration.

Why Take This Course?

Essential Tool: GitHub is the global standard for version control.
Collaboration Ready: Learn workflows used by professional developers.
Hands-On: Create and manage your first repository.

19. Build an Early-Stage Startup

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Startup Path

Overview

Learn how to turn ideas into startups with guidance on product-market fit, building MVPs, scaling, and funding basics.

Why Take This Course?

Entrepreneurship Skills: Beyond tech, covers business fundamentals.
Practical Guidance: Leverage Microsoft’s startup ecosystem.
Real Impact: Build a venture with modern tools and strategies.

20. Microsoft Search Fundamentals

Duration: Self-paced
Course Link: Microsoft Search Fundamentals

Overview

Discover how to use and configure Microsoft Search across Microsoft 365 services for better productivity and knowledge management.

Why Take This Course?

Boost Productivity: Search smarter across Microsoft 365.
Admin Skills: Configure and optimize enterprise search.
Workplace Value: Ideal for IT admins and knowledge workers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ

Q1: Are these courses really free?
✅ Yes. All courses listed from Microsoft Learn are 100% free to access, including modules, tutorials, hands-on sandboxes, and downloadable materials.
💡 The only time you may pay is if you choose to:

Sit for an official Microsoft certification exam (e.g., AZ-900, AI-900, SC-900).
Enroll in instructor-led training offered by Microsoft Learning Partners.

Q2: Do I need an Azure subscription?
🔹 Not to start. Most Microsoft Learn modules use a sandbox environment that provides temporary access at no cost.
🔹 For extended practice, you can create a free Azure account which includes:

$200 credit valid for 30 days.
Access to 55+ free tier services (including Azure Functions, Blob Storage, and Cosmos DB).

Q3: How long does it take to complete all 20 courses?
⏱ Since these are self-paced, completion time varies. Microsoft Learn doesn’t assign strict durations, but here’s a guide:

Short modules: 1–3 hours each.
Full learning paths: 10–30 hours depending on depth.
Special curricula (e.g., Data Science for Beginners): 10 weeks structured (20 lessons).

👉 If you aim for steady progress, 10–12 hours per week can realistically help you finish in 5–6 months while balancing work or school.

Q4: Which course should I start with?
It depends on your career goal:

Cloud & IT Roles: Start with Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900).
AI & Data Roles: Begin with Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) or Data Science for Beginners.
Security & Compliance: Try Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900).
Development: Start with Python for Beginners or C# for Beginners.

⚡ This way, learners know:

Everything is free unless they want official exams.
No subscription is required initially.
Time expectations are realistic.
They can pick a starting path that matches their career goals.

Conclusion & Next Steps

By enrolling in these free Microsoft Azure courses, you’re investing in a skill set that is increasingly coveted by employers worldwide. Whether you’re new to cloud computing or seeking an upskill in AI, there’s something here for everyone:

Pick Your Path: Start with AZ-900, then branch into data (DP-900), AI (AI-900), or administration (AZ-104).
Schedule Study Time: Block out consistent hours each week, mixing theory with hands-on labs.
Build a Portfolio: Document every lab project on GitHub, add it to your résumé, and share updates on LinkedIn.
Join the Community: Leverage Microsoft Learn forums, Azure meetups, and online study groups for peer support.

Ready to upskill for free? Dive into the first course below and unlock your cloud career:

➡️ Begin Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900T00 )

Did you find this blog post helpful?
Leave a comment below with the free Azure course you’re most excited about, and share this post with friends or colleagues who want to learn Azure for free!

Featured