Free eBooks from Microsoft Virtual Academy

New FREE eBooks from Microsoft. Full Details available here or see below.

Introducing-Microsoft-System-Center-2012-R2

Introducing Microsoft System Center 2012 R2
Mitch Tulloch with Symon Perriman and the System Center team
January 2014
180 pages

Get a high-level overview of System Center 2012 R2—and get a running start transforming your datacenter and cloud-optimizing your business. This guide introduces core features and functionality, with technical advice and under-the-hood insights from a Microsoft MVP and members of the System Center team at Microsoft.

Download the PDF (12.4 MB)

Download the EPUB file (24.3 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (43.1 MB)

Windows Server ebooks

Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2

Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2
Mitch Tulloch
November 2013
242 pages

Get a head start evaluating Windows Server 2012 R2—with technical insights from a Microsoft MVP and members of the Windows Server product team. Based on final Windows Server 2012 R2 release-to-manufacturing (RTM) software, this guide introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now.

Download the PDF (8.0 MB)

Download the EPUB file (22.5 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (40.3 MB)

Windows Azure ebooks

Introducing Windows Azure for IT Professionals
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Introducing Windows Azure for IT Professionals
Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Azure Team
October 2013
142 pages

Get a high-level overview of Windows Azure—and get a running start with this flexible cloud platform. Designed for IT professionals, this guide introduces core features and functionality, with technical insights and advice from a Microsoft MVP and members of the Windows Azure team. Topics include Windows Azure solutions, Compute services, Network services, Data services, and App services.

Download the PDF (8.0 MB)

Download the EPUB file (22.5 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (40.3 MB)

Get the book’s companion files (2.33 KB)

Rethinking Enterprise Storage: A Hybrid Cloud Model
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Rethinking Enterprise Storage: A Hybrid Cloud Model
Marc Farley
July 2013
120 pages

Discover how a hybrid cloud model—combining cloud storage services with traditional on-premise storage—can solve multiple storage challenges cost-effectively, all under a single data management system. Focusing on the Microsoft hybrid cloud storage solution, this book offers concise insights on technical, strategic, and practical considerations—so you can begin evaluating potential benefits to your organization.

Download the PDF (3.0 MB)

Download the EPUB file (3.8 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (7.2 MB)

Windows ebooks

Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals
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Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals
Ed Bott
October 2013
140 pages

Get a head start evaluating Windows 8.1—with early technical insights from award-winning journalist and Windows expert Ed Bott. This guide introduces new features and capabilities, providing a practical, high-level overview for IT professionals ready to begin deployment planning now.

Download the PDF (8.0 MB)

Download the EPUB file (22.5 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (40.3 MB)

App Development ebooks

Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition (Second Preview)
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Programming Windows Store Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Second Edition (Second Preview)
Kraig Brockschmidt
October 2013
750 pages

Microsoft Press is pleased to offer the second preview of Kraig Brockschmidt’s in-depth ebook on writing Windows Store apps using HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript on the Windows 8.1 platform.
We’ll be publishing the final ebook (with 20 chapters and 4 appendices) in March/April in PDF, EPUB, and Mobi for Kindle formats. In the meantime, enjoy this preview!

Download the PDF (16.40 MB)

Download the book’s companion files (132 MB)

.NET Technology Guide for Business Applications
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.NET Technology Guide for Business Applications
Cesar de la Torre and David Carmona
November 2013

This guide will help you select the right Microsoft development technologies and approaches for your custom .NET application development, depending on the priorities you have for your application and business domain. It is targeted to decision makers, software architects, development leads, and developers who are involved in selecting which technologies to use for their applications and projects, and specifically covers custom enterprise application development, although independent software vendors (ISVs) might also find the information and recommendations useful.

Download the PDF (6.0 MB)

Microsoft System Center ebooks

Introducing-Microsoft-System-Center-2012-R2
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Introducing Microsoft System Center 2012 R2
Mitch Tulloch with Symon Perriman and the System Center team
January 2014
180 pages

Get a high-level overview of System Center 2012 R2—and get a running start transforming your datacenter and cloud-optimizing your business. This guide introduces core features and functionality, with technical advice and under-the-hood insights from a Microsoft MVP and members of the System Center team at Microsoft.

Download the PDF (12.4 MB)

Download the EPUB file (24.3 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (43.1 MB)

Microsoft System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks
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Microsoft System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks
David Ziembicki, Aaron Cushner, Andreas Rynes and series editor Mitch Tulloch
September 2013
186 pages

Part of a series of specialized guides on System Center—this book delivers a focused drilldown on designing Orchestrator runbooks for workflow management solutions. Written by experts on the System Center team and with Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch as series editor, these titles provide concise technical guidance as they step you through key design concepts, criteria, and tasks.

Download the PDF (8.8 MB)

Download the EPUB file (24.6 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (43.5 MB)

Download the book’s companion files (296 KB)

Microsoft System Center: Configuration Manager Field Experience
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Microsoft System Center: Configuration Manager Field Experience
Rushi Faldu, Manish Raval, Brandon Linton, Kaushal Pandey and series editor Mitch Tulloch
September 2013
92 pages

Part of a series of specialized guides on System Center—this book delivers a focused drilldown on using Configuration Manager for queries and custom reporting, with scenario-based guidance for deployment success. Written by experts on the Microsoft System Center team and with Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch as series editor, this title provides concise, from-the-field guidance as you step through key concepts and tasks.

Download the PDF (4.5 MB)

Download the EPUB file (22.6 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (40.3 MB)

Download the book’s companion files (1.2 KB)

Microsoft System Center: Cloud Management with App Controller
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Microsoft System Center: Cloud Management with App Controller
Yung Chou, Keith Mayer, and series editor Mitch Tulloch
November 2013
118 pages

Part of a series of specialized guides on System Center—this book focuses on core tasks for App Controller to implement and manage hybrid cloud solutions. Written by experts on the Microsoft System Center team and with Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch as series editor, this title delivers concise technical guidance as you step through key concepts, processes, and tasks.

Download the PDF (14.8 MB)

Download the EPUB file (24.4 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (42.9 MB)

Microsoft System Center: Troubleshooting Configuration Manager
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Microsoft System Center: Troubleshooting Configuration Manager
Rushi Faldu, Manoj Kumar Pal, Andre Della Monica, Kaushal Pandey, and series editor Mitch Tulloch
November 2013
108 pages

Part of a series of specialized guides on System Center—this book addresses the most common pain points for Configuration Manager administrators, providing insider and from-the-field insights to help you succeed. Written by experts on the Microsoft System Center team and with Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch as series editor, this title delivers concise technical guidance as you step through key concepts and tasks.

Download the PDF (6.4 MB)

Download the EPUB file (24.3 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (44.2 MB)

Microsoft System Center: Optimizing Service Manager
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Microsoft System Center: Optimizing Service Manager
Thomas Ellermann, Kathleen Wilson, Karsten Nielsen, John Clark, and series editor Mitch Tulloch
December 2013
96 pages

Part of a series of specialized guides on System Center—this book provides a framework for planning and delivering a successful Service Manager project. Written by experts on the Microsoft System Center team and with Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch as series editor, this title delivers concise guidance, from-the-field insights, and best practices for optimizing and maintaining your Service Manager environment.

Download the PDF (3.2 MB)

Download the EPUB file (19.7 MB)

Download the Mobi for Kindle file (44.2 MB)

Download the book’s companion files (689 Bytes)

Other books & ebooks for sale

You can purchase print or ebook versions from the entire Microsoft Press catalog through our our official distributor, O’Reilly Media, or your favorite bookstores. Here is a selection of our newest books for sale.

Windows 8.1 Administration Pocket Consultant: Essentials & Configuration

Windows 8.1 Administration Pocket Consultant: Essentials & Configuration
William R. Stanek
November 2013
384 pages

Portable and precise, this pocket-sized guide delivers ready answers for core configuration and administrative tasks in Windows 8.1. Zero in on the essentials through quick-reference tables, instructions, and lists. You’ll get the focused information you need to save time and get the job done — whether at your desk or in the field.

Windows Runtime via C#

Windows Runtime via C#
Jeffrey Richter and Maarten van de Bospoort
November 2013
320 pages

Delve inside the Windows Runtime environment—and learn best ways to design and build Windows Store apps. Guided by Jeff Richter, a well-known expert in Windows programming, along with principal Windows consultant Maarten van de Bospoort, you’ll master essential Windows Runtime API concepts. And you’ll gain practical insights and tips for how to architect, design, optimize, and debug your apps.

Windows PowerShell Best Practices
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Windows PowerShell Best Practices
Ed Wilson
January 2014
760 pages

Automate system administration using Windows PowerShell best practices—and optimize your operational efficiency. With this practical guide, Windows PowerShell expert and instructor Ed Wilson delivers field-tested tips, real-world examples, and candid advice culled from administrators across a range of business and technical scenarios. If you’re an IT professional with Windows PowerShell experience, this book is ideal.