Microsoft Learn: Free Windows and Office Training

Microsoft Learn offers free courses on Windows, Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, and more — directly from Microsoft. No account required to start.

4 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026

1. Step 1. Go to learn.microsoft.com

   Open any web browser and type learn.microsoft.com in the address bar. You'll land on Microsoft Learn's homepage. You can browse all content without creating an account. The search bar at the top lets you type a topic — for example, "Excel formulas" or "OneDrive beginner" — to find relevant modules right away.

2. Step 2. Find the right learning path for your goals

   Use the "Browse" or "Training" section in the navigation to explore Learning Paths — grouped series of modules that build on each other. For Microsoft 365 basics, look for paths labeled "Fundamentals" or "Beginner." These are designed for people new to the product and cover the most common tasks step by step.

   Quick Tip

   Quick Tip: Microsoft's support.microsoft.com website is separate from Learn but equally useful for quick how-to questions. Learn is better for structured, comprehensive learning. Support.microsoft.com is better for answering one specific question quickly.

3. Step 3. Sign in with a Microsoft account to track progress

   Click "Sign In" at the top right of the page and use your existing Microsoft account email and password. If you use Outlook.com, Hotmail, or sign in to Windows with an email, you already have a Microsoft account. Signing in lets Microsoft Learn save your progress and award you experience points and achievement badges as you complete modules.

4. Step 4. Complete an interactive module

   Many Microsoft Learn modules include interactive sandbox exercises — a real or simulated Microsoft environment where you complete tasks directly in your browser. For example, an Excel module might open a live Excel workbook where you follow along with the instructions. These hands-on exercises are more effective than reading or watching alone.

5. Step 5. Explore product-specific training

   From the homepage or navigation, find training specific to a product: Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, or Windows. Each product has its own training hub with modules organized from beginner to advanced. Start with the beginner modules even if you've used the product for years — you'll likely find features you didn't know about.

   Quick Tip

   Quick Tip: Microsoft 365 includes many features that most users never discover. The "What's New in Microsoft 365" section on Microsoft Learn is updated regularly and shows recent additions to the apps you already use.