Problem downloading free Packet Tracer

[JS233x]

( Still learning this forum's post logistics, had a popup error with full links (forward slash etc) so I left them out here )
I wanted to try Cisco Packet Tracer (free download) at this site,
packettracernetwork.com download download-packet-tracer

the Win64 download link is,
netacad.com portal resources file a1a73d9d-5af7-4162-9a52-0746d39c2dd4

When you click it goes to
netacad.com new_user_welcome_page

There I had to create a login acct, so gave it same login data I had at id.cisco.com

So I got logged in and tried to start the free Packet Tracer course but the presentation just hung on the screen with never ending rotating circle. Tired it several times on different logins. No problems with any other website, internet access if fine.

Also could not get any of the downloads at to work, just kept coming up with a Popup that said,
Sorry, we can't find a NetAcad account associated with this Cisco account.
Let us help you get back on track.
If you already have a NetAcad account, please log out and log back in with
the email address you used for Networking Academy.
( That did NOT work )
If this doesn't work, please visit the login help page for tips and to get
support. To learn more about Cisco Networking Academy and to create an account,
please visit at our home page.
( None of this works, kinda disillusioned with Cisco's site on this)

Wondering what I'm doing wrong or missing?

[JS233x]

Ok I think I found what happened, after clicking the Win64 download link at
https://www.packettracernetwork.com/download/download-packet-tracer.html

then in the process of clicking around to find where to actually sign up for the Packet Tracer required course I ended up at,
https://skillsforall.com/

And they did in fact have the course there, but it doesn't work.
So in frustration with packettracernetwork.com I went to another site,
https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/ccna-study-guide/download-packet-tracer-for-windows-and-linux.html

There I found the Packet Tracer 8.0 version and also down at the bottom of page a how to install Packet Tracer,
https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/ccna-study-guide/how-to-install-and-activate-packet-tracer-in-windows.html

which gave this link to create a free Cisco Academy account,
https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer/introduction-packet-tracer

And this one worked. In retrospect I certainly tried to follow all logical links but just didn't seem to be a congruent path on the first try. Some web pages now days seem as if they were written by folks working from too many pre-coded one size fits all objects and/or have their superiors pushing them for fast output over clarity. But at least now I've finally landed at the one that works.

[Martin L]

Cisco Net Academy Packet Tracer is Free but you must register with them (also free) and start Intro to PT course (also free). you do not have finish that course (I recommend anyway) but you must go thru the first minutes till you can see the link to download PT from the 1st lecture itself or from Resources under main menu. 

After that PT is free to use but you must log in to Net Academy at least 1 per week or 2 weeks (log in via PT welcome page)

I would advice against using any 3rd party links to get PT.

Regards, ML
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