Merge pull request #35952 from MicrosoftDocs/main

learn-build-service-prod[bot] · web-flow · commit 84467a9888e1 · 2025-11-26T23:34:40.000Z
Auto Publish – main to live - 2025-11-26 23:30 UTC
diff --git a/docs/database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup.md b/docs/database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup.md
@@ -1010,10 +1010,10 @@ To use the Azure extension for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversio
 
 To authenticate the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] instance with Azure, you can sign in using an Azure account, or you can use an Azure service principal. For specific security requirements to install the extension, see [Prerequisites - SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc](../../sql-server/azure-arc/prerequisites.md).
 
-If you don't already have an Azure account, select the **Start free** button to begin the Azure sign-up experience. This option takes you to the <https://azure.microsoft.com/free> page, where you can register for a free account and receive credits, if eligible, to explore and use a wide range of Azure services, including capabilities such as [Azure Arc enabling SQL Server](https://aka.ms/arc-sql-server).
+If you don't already have an Azure account, select the **Start free** button to begin the Azure sign-up experience. This option takes you to the <https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn> page, where you can register for a free account and receive credits, if eligible, to explore and use a wide range of Azure services, including capabilities such as [Azure Arc enabling SQL Server](https://aka.ms/arc-sql-server).
 
 > [!NOTE]  
-> For more information on Azure account types, and guidance on selecting the best option for your needs, visit the [Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account) page. This resource will help you get started with creating, deploying, and managing applications across multiple clouds, on-premises, and at the edge using scalable and cost-effective Azure services.
+> For more information on Azure account types, and guidance on selecting the best option for your needs, visit the [Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn) page. This resource will help you get started with creating, deploying, and managing applications across multiple clouds, on-premises, and at the edge using scalable and cost-effective Azure services.
 
 To sign in with your Azure account, select **Use Azure Login**. Windows might prompt you to add one or more sites to the Trusted sites zone. Follow your organization's security requirements. After you sign in to Azure, proceed to provide the additional registration information.
 
diff --git a/docs/includes/ssms-connect-azure-ad.md b/docs/includes/ssms-connect-azure-ad.md
diff --git a/docs/linux/quickstart-sql-server-containers-azure.md b/docs/linux/quickstart-sql-server-containers-azure.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ This quickstart uses the following command line tools to manage the cluster.
 
 ### [Kubernetes](#tab/kubectl)
 
-- An Azure account with an active subscription. [Create an account for free](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount?WT.mc_id=A261C142F).
+- An Azure account with an active subscription. [Create an account for free](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 
 - A Kubernetes cluster. For more information on creating and connecting to a Kubernetes cluster in AKS with `kubectl`, see [Deploy an Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster](/azure/aks/tutorial-kubernetes-deploy-cluster).
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ This quickstart uses the following command line tools to manage the cluster.
 
 ### [OpenShift](#tab/oc)
 
-- An Azure account with an active subscription. [Create an account for free](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount?WT.mc_id=A261C142F).
+- An Azure account with an active subscription. [Create an account for free](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 
 - An OpenShift cluster. For more information on creating and connecting to an Azure Red Hat OpenShift cluster with `oc`, see [Tutorial: Create an Azure Red Hat OpenShift 4 cluster](/azure/openshift/tutorial-create-cluster).
 
diff --git a/docs/linux/sql-server-linux-containers-deploy-helm-charts-kubernetes.md b/docs/linux/sql-server-linux-containers-deploy-helm-charts-kubernetes.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ AKS is a managed Kubernetes service for deploying and managing container cluster
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- An Azure subscription. If you don't have an Azure subscription, you can create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount?WT.mc_id=A261C142F).
+- An Azure subscription. If you don't have an Azure subscription, you can create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 
 - [Create an AKS cluster](/azure/aks/kubernetes-walkthrough#create-aks-cluster).
 
diff --git a/docs/linux/sql-server-linux-deploy-ansible.md b/docs/linux/sql-server-linux-deploy-ansible.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ This quickstart takes you through the steps to automate a SQL Server on Linux de
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- An Azure subscription. If you don't have an Azure subscription, you can create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount?WT.mc_id=A261C142F).
+- An Azure subscription. If you don't have an Azure subscription, you can create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 
 - Create a new [resource group](/cli/azure/manage-azure-groups-azure-cli#create-a-resource-group) using Azure CLI, which contains three Azure Virtual Machines:
 
diff --git a/docs/linux/tutorial-sql-server-containers-kubernetes-dh2i.md b/docs/linux/tutorial-sql-server-containers-kubernetes-dh2i.md
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ For more information about DxEnterprise, see [DH2i DxEnterprise](https://dh2i.co
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- To deploy Azure Kubernetes Service, you must have an [Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount). A two-node cluster is a good starting point for this tutorial.
+- To deploy Azure Kubernetes Service, you must have an [Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn). A two-node cluster is a good starting point for this tutorial.
 
 - [Create an Azure container registry using the Azure portal](/azure/container-registry/container-registry-get-started-portal). This registry is used in our deployment scripts to retrieve the custom image and deploy the containers to Azure Kubernetes. Instead of Azure Container Registry (ACR), you could use your preferred container registry to push the custom container images.
 
diff --git a/docs/relational-databases/security/encryption/create-and-store-column-master-keys-always-encrypted.md b/docs/relational-databases/security/encryption/create-and-store-column-master-keys-always-encrypted.md
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ To grant a user the *Read* permission for a certificate stored in the local mach
 
 ## Creating Column Master Keys in Azure Key Vault
 
-Azure Key Vault helps safeguard cryptographic keys and secrets, and it is a convenient option for storing column master keys for Always Encrypted, especially if your applications are hosted in Azure. To create a key in [Azure Key Vault](/azure/key-vault/general/overview), you need an [Azure subscription](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount) and an Azure Key Vault. A key can be stored in a key vault or in a [managed HSM](/azure/key-vault/managed-hsm/overview). To be a valid column master key, the key managed in Azure Key Vault must be an RSA key.
+Azure Key Vault helps safeguard cryptographic keys and secrets, and it is a convenient option for storing column master keys for Always Encrypted, especially if your applications are hosted in Azure. To create a key in [Azure Key Vault](/azure/key-vault/general/overview), you need an [Azure subscription](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn) and an Azure Key Vault. A key can be stored in a key vault or in a [managed HSM](/azure/key-vault/managed-hsm/overview). To be a valid column master key, the key managed in Azure Key Vault must be an RSA key.
 
 ### Using Azure CLI, Portal or PowerShell
 
diff --git a/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-how-to-configure-ledger-database.md b/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-how-to-configure-ledger-database.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ This article provides information on configuring a [ledger database](ledger-over
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - A logical server.
 
 ## Enable ledger database
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ This article provides information on configuring a [ledger database](ledger-over
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - An Azure SQL Managed Instance.
 
 ## Enable ledger database
diff --git a/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-how-to-enable-automatic-digest-storage.md b/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-how-to-enable-automatic-digest-storage.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ In this article, we'll describe how you can configure automatic generation and s
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - An Azure SQL Database
 
 ## Enable automatic digest storage using the Azure portal
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ In this article, we'll describe how you can configure automatic generation and s
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - An Azure SQL Managed Instance
 
 ## Enable automatic digest storage using the Azure portal
diff --git a/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-verify-database.md b/docs/relational-databases/security/ledger/ledger-verify-database.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ In this article, you'll verify the integrity of the data in your ledger tables.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Have an active Azure subscription if you're using Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an active Azure subscription if you're using Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - [Create and use updatable ledger tables](ledger-how-to-updatable-ledger-tables.md) or [create and use append-only ledger tables](ledger-how-to-append-only-ledger-tables.md).
 - [SQL Server Management Studio](/ssms/sql-server-management-studio-ssms).
 - The database option [ALLOW_SNAPSHOT_ISOLATION](../../../t-sql/statements/alter-database-transact-sql-set-options.md) has to be enabled on the database before you can run the verification stored procedures.
diff --git a/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md b/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migrate-to-azure-sql-managed-instance.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Select the **Copilot** icon on the **Database migration** pane to open the Copil
 
 To use SQL Server migration in Azure Arc, you need the following prerequisites:
 
-- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, you can [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, you can [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - Your SQL Server instance must be [enabled by Azure Arc](overview.md) with the Azure extension for SQL Server version `1.1.3211.337` or later. You can upgrade your extension by using the [Azure portal](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-portal#upgrade-extensions) or the [Azure CLI](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-cli#upgrade-extensions).
 
 Before you start the migration process, make sure that you've prepared your environment for your [chosen migration method](#integrated-migration-methods): 
diff --git a/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migration-sql-mi-prepare-link.md b/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migration-sql-mi-prepare-link.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ With the link, you can migrate your SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed In
 
 To migrate your SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal, you need the following prerequisites:
 
-- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - A [supported](#supported-sql-server-versions) instance of SQL Server [enabled by Azure Arc](overview.md) with the Azure extension for SQL Server version `1.1.3211.337` or later. You can upgrade your extension by using the [Azure portal](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-portal#upgrade-extensions) or the [Azure CLI](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-cli#upgrade-extensions).
 
 ## Supported SQL Server versions
diff --git a/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migration-sql-mi-prepare-log-replay-service.md b/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/migration-sql-mi-prepare-log-replay-service.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ With LRS, you can migrate your SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instanc
 
 To migrate your SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Managed Instance through the Azure portal, you need the following prerequisites:
 
-- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- An active Azure subscription. If you don't have one, [create a free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - A [supported](#supported-sql-server-versions) instance of SQL Server [enabled by Azure Arc](overview.md) with the Azure extension for SQL Server version `1.1.3211.337` or later. You can upgrade your extension by using the [Azure portal](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-portal#upgrade-extensions) or the [Azure CLI](/azure/azure-arc/servers/manage-vm-extensions-cli#upgrade-extensions).
 
 ## Supported SQL Server versions
diff --git a/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/prerequisites.md b/docs/sql-server/azure-arc/prerequisites.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ If your SQL Server virtual machines are on VMware clusters, review [Support on V
 
 Before you can Arc-enable an instance of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], you need to:
 
-- Have an Azure account with an active subscription. If needed, [create a free Azure Account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+- Have an Azure account with an active subscription. If needed, [create a free Azure Account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 - Verify [Arc connected machine agent prerequisites](/azure/azure-arc/servers/prerequisites).  The Arc agent must be running in the typical 'full' mode.
 - Verify [Arc connected machine agent network requirements](/azure/azure-arc/servers/network-requirements).
 - Open firewall to [Azure Arc data processing service](#connect-to-azure-arc-data-processing-service).
diff --git a/docs/sql-server/end-of-support/sql-server-extended-security-updates.md b/docs/sql-server/end-of-support/sql-server-extended-security-updates.md
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ The following example shows how to manually register your [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion
    - [Create a Microsoft Customer Agreement subscription](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/create-subscription)
    - [Create an Enterprise Agreement subscription](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/create-enterprise-subscription)
    - [Create an Azure account with pay-as-you-go pricing](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/pay-as-you-go/)
-   - [Create a free Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount)
+   - [Create a free Azure account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn)
 
 1. The user creating disconnected Arc-enabled [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] resources must have the following permissions:
 
diff --git a/docs/tools/visual-studio-code-extensions/mssql/connect-database-visual-studio-code.md b/docs/tools/visual-studio-code-extensions/mssql/connect-database-visual-studio-code.md
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ To complete this quickstart, you must have:
   - **Azure SQL Managed Instance:** If you need a fully managed SQL Server instance, create an Azure SQL Managed Instance. For more information, see [Quickstart: Create Azure SQL Managed Instance](/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/instance-create-quickstart).
 
 > [!NOTE]  
-> If you don't have an Azure subscription, create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?icid=azurefreeaccount).
+> If you don't have an Azure subscription, create a [free account](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account?cid=msft_learn).
 
 ## Connect to a database instance
 
