How to convert EXISITING VM from PAYG to Reserved Instance?

Question

How to convert EXISITING VM from PAYG to Reserved Instance?

Zach U 20

See title. I have exisiting PAYG VMs that I want to convert to 1 year RI. How can I achieve this

Accepted answer

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

TP 125.8K Volunteer Moderator

Hi Zach,

You just need to purchase Reserved Instance that is applicable to the existing VM. Once purchased, the reserved instance discount will be applied to the VM (assuming it is Running and is the only VM that matches the reservation).

In the Azure portal, navigate to Reservations:

https://portal.azure.com/#view/Microsoft_Azure_Reservations/ReservationsBrowseBlade/productType/Reservations

Next click Add button, click Virtual machine. After a few moments, it should display recommendations, with an entry that matches (size, region, instance flexibility group, etc.) the existing VM. Change the term to 1 year, change billing frequency (if desired).

Once there is an entry that matches the specifications you would like, select it and click Add to cart, View cart, Review + buy, etc., to complete purchase.

Please see article below for more details on how discount is applied:

How the Azure reservation discount is applied to virtual machines

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/understand-vm-reservation-charges

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

-TP

Zach U 20 Reputation points

2025-03-13T20:26:00.4133333+00:00

Thanks for your answer. What if I have multiple B2ms VMs running, but only want to apply the RI to say 1 or 2 of them, but not all? I see I can adjust the count in the cart. Before proceeding I just want to know if I can specify exactly which of the B2ms VMs have the RI and which stay on PAYG.
TP 125.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-13T20:33:03.97+00:00

Thanks for your answer. What if I have multiple B2ms VMs running, but only want to apply the RI to say 1 or 2 of them, but not all?

In that case you would only purchase the quantity you want. If you only want one of the B2ms VMs to be discounted, then only purchase quantity 1.

The discount is applied automatically. You don't get to pick the precise VM to apply it to, except for what specific region/size/subscription/resource group you purchase.

I recommend you review the article I linked above if you haven't already. It helps to have an understanding of how discount is applied before you purchase.
TP 125.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-13T20:42:13.6266667+00:00

To give you an example, if you wanted to buy a single reservation and have it only apply to one specific VM, AND that VM was the only VM in a resource group, you could but the reservation scoped to that resource group.

Does the above make sense?

NOTE: I recommend purchasing reservation at a broader scope such as subscription, to give you more flexibility.
TP 125.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-14T17:55:21.88+00:00

@Zach U Any update?
Zach U 20 Reputation points

2025-03-14T17:58:51.9433333+00:00

Hey @TP - Thanks - your responses do make sense, along with the article you provided.

Share via

How to convert EXISITING VM from PAYG to Reserved Instance?

0 additional answers

Your answer