Microsoft Windows 7 Visual QuickStart Guide

by Fehily, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780321646866
• ISBN10: 032164686X
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780321553621
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-09-08
• Publisher: Peachpit Press
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

This concise guide covers every edition of Windows 7 in Visual QuickStart style, with plenty of screenshots, numbered steps, tips, and sidebars. You'll learn how to use new and updated features, including the redesigned taskbar; jump lists; libraries; federated search; desktop gadgets; window-management shortcuts; and the improved versions of Internet Explorer, Mail, Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and Media Player. You'll also find information on setup; installation; upgrading from other Windows versions; troubleshooting; hardware; and organizing your documents, music, photos, and videos. Laptop and mobile users will learn how to connect from the road, jump onto a public wireless network, and conserve battery power. Author Chris Fehily also walks you through setting up a network or homegroup, connecting to the internet, configuring routers and firewalls, and hooking up printers and other devices. You'll learn how to use security features to protect your PC and network and share files while keeping personal stuff private.

Author Biography

Chris Fehily is a writer and consultant based in San Francisco.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
What Windows Does	p. x
The Editions of Windows 7	p. xi
Upgrading to Windows 7	p. xiii
What's New in Windows 7	p. xiv
About This Book	p. xv
Getting Started	p. 1
Logging On and Logging Off	p. 2
Using Getting Started	p. 15
Exploring the Windows Interface	p. 16
The Mouse	p. 18
The Keyboard	p. 20
Menus	p. 23
Ribbons	p. 29
Toolbars	p. 30
Icons	p. 31
Windows	p. 34
Dialog Boxes	p. 44
Properties	p. 46
Transferring Data	p. 48
The Desktop	p. 53
Exploring the Start Menu	p. 54
Using the Start Menu	p. 58
Customizing the Start Menu	p. 67
Exploring the Taskbar	p. 71
Managing Windows by Using the Taskbar	p. 72
Customizing the Taskbar	p. 76
Using the Notification Area	p. 79
Adding Toolbars to the Taskbar	p. 82
Using Gadgets	p. 84
Managing Shortcuts	p. 88
Tidying Your Desktop	p. 95
Getting Help	p. 97
Starting Help and Support	p. 98
Browsing Help and Support	p. 99
Searching Help and Support	p. 101
Getting Help on the Web	p. 102
Capturing Screen Images	p. 103
Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer Remotely	p. 104
Personalizing Your Work Environment	p. 111
Using Control Panel	p. 112
Setting the Window Color	p. 115
Turning Off Aero	p. 116
Setting the Desktop Background	p. 117
Setting the Screen Saver	p. 119
Setting the Desktop Theme	p. 121
Configuring the Monitor	p. 123
Configuring the Mouse	p. 129
Configuring the Keyboard	p. 132
Configuring Sound and Audio Devices	p. 134
Setting the Date and Time	p. 139
Localizing Your System	p. 142
Accommodating Disabled Users	p. 147
Using Speech Recognition	p. 151
Using Alternative Mouse Behavior	p. 156
Conserving Power	p. 157
Managing Fonts	p. 165
Managing Visual Effects and Performance	p. 169
Getting General System Information	p. 170
Organizing Files and Folders	p. 171
Exploring Your Computer	p. 172
Storing Stuff in Your Personal Folder	p. 175
Using Windows Explorer	p. 178
Navigating in Windows Explorer	p. 184
Tagging Files	p. 188
Filtering, Sorting, Stacking, and Grouping Files	p. 191
Customizing a Folder	p. 196
Setting Folder Options	p. 197
Creating Folders	p. 200
Naming Files and Folders	p. 201
Moving and Copying Files and Folders	p. 202
Sending Files and Folders	p. 205
Deleting Files and Folders	p. 207
Compressing Files and Folders	p. 212
Searching for Files and Folders	p. 218
Saving Searches	p. 230
Using Libraries	p. 231
Burning CDs and DVDs	p. 234
Using Keyboard Shortcuts	p. 240
Installing and Running Programs	p. 243
Installing Programs	p. 244
Removing Programs	p. 249
Turning Windows Features On or Off	p. 251
Launching Programs	p. 252
Launching Programs Automatically	p. 254
Running Older Programs	p. 255
Switching Programs	p. 256
Exiting Programs	p. 258
Killing Unresponsive Programs	p. 259
Using the Free Utility Programs	p. 261
Saving Documents	p. 268
Opening Documents	p. 270
Associating Documents with Programs	p. 272
Installing Windows Live Programs	p. 276
Printing, Scanning, and Faxing	p. 277
Installing a Printer	p. 278
Sharing a Network Printer	p. 285
Setting Printer Properties	p. 287
Printing Documents	p. 289
Controlling Printouts	p. 292
Scanning and Faxing	p. 294
Setting up Hardware	p. 305
Connecting Devices to Your Computer	p. 306
Installing a New Device	p. 312
Managing Device Drivers	p. 316
Digital Photos	p. 321
Importing Photos into Your Computer	p. 322
Getting Started with Windows Live Photo Gallery	p. 328
Viewing Photos	p. 334
Finding Photos	p. 337
Photo Gallery Tips	p. 341
Windows Media Player	p. 343
Getting Started with Media Player	p. 344
Playing CDs and DVDs	p. 348
Ripping CDs	p. 351
Organizing Your Library	p. 354
Working with Playlists	p. 358
Burning Music CDs	p. 361
Using Keyboard Shortcuts	p. 363
Windows Live Movie Maker	p. 365
Getting Started with Movie Maker	p. 366
Creating a Movie	p. 368
Connecting to the Internet	p. 371
Understanding Connection Types	p. 372
Connecting to the Internet	p. 375
Security and Privacy	p. 381
Checking Your Security Status	p. 382
Using a Firewall	p. 386
Updating Windows	p. 391
Defending Against Viruses and Spyware	p. 394
Setting Parental Controls	p. 400
Encrypting Data	p. 402
Encrypting Drives	p. 404
Internet Explorer	p. 407
Getting Started with Internet Explorer	p. 408
Navigating the Web	p. 409
Using Tabs	p. 416
Bookmarking Pages	p. 419
Browsing Tips	p. 422
Windows Live Mail	p. 431
Getting Started with Windows Live Mail	p. 432
Setting up an Email Account	p. 433
Sending Email	p. 435
Reading Email	p. 440
Receiving Attachments	p. 447
Applying Message Rules	p. 449
Windows Live Messenger	p. 451
Signing in to Messenger	p. 452
Creating a Contacts List	p. 455
Using Messenger	p. 456
Managing User Accounts	p. 459
Setting up User Accounts	p. 460
Using User Account Control	p. 467
Managing User Profiles	p. 468
Setting up a Small Network	p. 469
Understanding Network Types	p. 470
Sharing an Internet Connection	p. 473
Setting up a Network	p. 474
Managing a Network	p. 479
Sharing Files	p. 483
Working Remotely	p. 489
Dialing Direct	p. 490
Connecting to a Virtual Private Network Server	p. 491
Controlling a Computer with Remote Desktop	p. 492
Making Network Files and Folders Available Offline	p. 498
Using Laptop Utilities	p. 500
Maintenance & Troubleshooting	p. 501
Getting System Information	p. 502
Managing Tasks	p. 503
Cleaning up a Drive	p. 504
Defragmenting a Drive	p. 505
Checking for Drive Errors	p. 506
Managing Drives	p. 507
Scheduling Tasks	p. 508
Editing the Registry	p. 510
Solving Problems	p. 511
Boosting Memory	p. 512
Restoring Your System	p. 513
Backing up Your Files	p. 516
Recovering After a Crash	p. 520
Installing Windows	p. 521
Getting Ready to Install Windows	p. 522
Choosing an Installation Type	p. 524
Installing Windows	p. 525
Activating Windows	p. 529
Transferring Existing Files and Settings	p. 530
Installing Service Packs	p. 532
Index	p. 533
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