Introduction to the Azure Portal

Managing cloud resources effectively requires the right tools, and Microsoft Azure provides one of the most powerful platforms available today. The Azure Portal is your gateway to building, configuring, and monitoring everything in your cloud environment through a clean, user-friendly interface. In this video, you’ll get a complete introduction to the Azure Portal, learning how to navigate its features and unlock its potential for both beginners and experienced professionals.

Whether you are launching your first virtual machine, personalizing your dashboard, or controlling access with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), the Azure Portal streamlines every step of your cloud journey. From the Azure Portal Menu (Navigation Pane) to the Azure Global Search Bar, from customizing the Azure Dashboard to using Azure Notifications and Activity Log for transparency, this walkthrough ensures you will be confident and efficient in your daily operations.

We’ll also explore advanced features like Azure Cloud Shell for command-line management, Azure Settings and Personalization for tailoring your workspace, and the Azure Marketplace for extending your capabilities with third-party solutions. If you are new to the platform, you will also benefit from the Azure Quickstart Center and even the convenience of the Azure Mobile App, keeping you connected wherever you are.

What you will learn in this video

By the end of this video, you will understand:

1. What Is the Azure Portal and why it is the central hub for managing Azure resources.
2. How to efficiently navigate using the Azure Portal Menu (Navigation Pane) and the Azure Global Search Bar.
3. How to create and manage custom Azure Dashboards to fit your workflow.
4. How to provision services quickly through Azure Create a Resource and explore the full catalog with Azure All Services.
5. The importance of Azure Resource Groups for organizing and managing deployments.
6. How to stay on top of changes with Azure Notifications and Activity Log.
7. The power of Azure Cloud Shell for integrated command-line management.
8. How to tailor your workspace with Azure Settings and Personalization.
9. The wide range of solutions available in the Azure Marketplace.
10. How to secure your environment with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
11. How to leverage the Azure Quickstart Center for fast, guided onboarding.
12. The flexibility of the Azure Mobile App for managing resources on the go.

Why this video matters

Cloud platforms can feel overwhelming, especially with the variety of tools and services available. This introduction makes Azure approachable by walking you step by step through each essential feature. Instead of feeling lost in menus or unsure where to begin, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the Azure Portal’s structure and how to use it effectively.

This knowledge is crucial whether you are a student learning cloud fundamentals, a developer deploying apps, or an IT administrator managing enterprise-scale resources. The Azure Portal empowers you to work smarter and with greater confidence.

Next up in the series

Now that you’ve explored the core features of the Azure Portal, you’re ready to take the next step. In the following video Create an account in Azure, we’ll guide you through setting up your very own Azure account so you can put this knowledge into practice. Get ready to move from learning about the platform to experiencing it firsthand.