Ofcourse Microsoft offers a more extensive and complete reference if you'd like to know about microsoft e-learning. But my quick guide visually aids you through the subscription proces and gets you started in only 8 simple steps. If you stil have questions after finishing my how-to, please take a look at the FAQ at www.microsoftelearning.com.

Free Microsoft e-Learning how-to

Step 1 - Pick a course

Visit www.microsoftelearning.com using your favorite browser. Pick any of the free e-learning courses from the catalog. For example "developing rich applications using .net framework 3.0"

Step 2 - Agreements

Next you are presented the full details of the selected course and, when available, its sub parts. In the right top corner you need to check the agreement checkbox (if you agree ofcourse ;)) and click "Activate free content"

Step 3 - Sign in (optional)

If you haven't yet signed in to Microsoft passport/live you are presented with a dialog that prompts you to do so. So, login using a microsoft passport account, or create a new free account.

Step 4 - Confirmation

This step confirms that you have 'purchased' -FOR FREE- an e-learning course from Microsoft. Next click on "My Elearning" in the menu on the left.

Step 5 - Your e-learning overview

This overview shows all e-learning modules you obtained. Each course shows the current status and offer the opportunity to start or continue studying. Click "GO" next to the first course in the list.

Step 6 - Course details

After clicking the "GO" button the selected course's details will be shown. The details show the modules the course consists of and the progress you have made so far. Besides each module there's a button to begin the course. If you would like to study online, you are all set. But if you would like to download the course and study offline, please continue with the next step.

Step 7 - Offline studying

Below the modules overview a button "Download selected" is shown. You must tick the "Select all" checkbox and click "Download selected" afterwards to download the entire microsoft e-learning course. In the text on the bottom left you will find a link to the offline e-learning player.

Step 8 - Offline e-learning player

The last step to be able to do some offline studying is to download the offline e-learning player.