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Get Windows 8 for Dummies: Pocket Edition e-book for free

This 147-page guide might help take some of the mystery out of Windows 8 -- like why there's no Start button in Desktop mode.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
2 min read
Dell

I've made no secret of my total hatred of lack of excessive fondness for Windows 8. I think unless you're getting it on a tablet or smartphone, the OS is best avoided.

That said, plenty of users have no doubt taken advantage of Microsoft's upgrade offer, and plenty more will end up with Windows 8 on their next desktop or laptop. And I think it's a safe bet that most of those users will need some help learning to navigate, operate, and, ultimately, tolerate 8.

To that end, Dell is offering a free copy of "Windows 8 for Dummies: Dell Pocket Edition" in e-book form. All you do is complete a short form and bam, you've got a universally compatible PDF.

Update: Well, because the universe hates me, Dell took down the link shortly after I posted. This was perhaps another promotion that wasn't intended for the general public. Luckily, the link below still works, at least for now.

Update No. 2: Dell got in touch and told me they reactivated the link! However, they also asked that I remove the direct-download link below, which I've done.

Actually, if you'd rather skip the form, you can download the book straight from publisher Wiley. (That said, Dell is giving away something of value here, so the fair thing is to give them the bits of marketing info they're asking for.)

This 147-page guide covers everything from the new Start screen to the traditional desktop to my favorite chapter of all: "10 Things You'll Hate About Windows 8 (and How to Fix Them)." And, of course, it's written in that friendly, conversational "Dummies" style.

Even if you don't have Windows 8 now, chances are good you'll get stuck with take advantage of it somewhere down the road. So grab this handy e-book and keep it for when that fateful joyful day arrives.

Bonus deal: The Cheapskate exclusives just keep on coming! Today only, Rakuten Buy.com is offering 11 percent cash back on everything it sells, and a portion of the proceeds go to the American Red Cross. But using this special link, Cheapskate readers can get 15 percent cash back! (Note: As I'm writing this at 8:30 a.m. ET, the link isn't yet live, but should be later this morning.) Be sure to read all the fine print, though, as there's some hoop-jumping required to redeem your cash-back points.

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