The Unofficial Guide^® to Windows Vista^TM

by Derek Torres; Stuart Mudie

• ISBN13: 9780470045763
• ISBN10: 0470045760
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-02-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The inside scoop...for when you want more than the official line! Microsoft Vista may be the hot new operating system, but to use it with confidence, you'll need to know its quirks and shortcuts. Find out what the manual doesn't always tell you in this insider's guide to using Vista in the real world. How can you customize the desktop? What's the best way to prevent crashes? From setting up a home network to working with data, first get the official way, then the best way from two experts. Unbiased coverage of how to get the most out of Vista, from the new user interface and "live" icons to the revamped Control Panel Savvy, real-world advice from mastering multimedia with Vista and editing "secret settings" to synching data with your laptop and handheld Time-saving techniques and practical guidance on working around Vista quirks, avoiding pitfalls, and increasing your productivity Tips and hacks on Gadgets, how to launch Instant Search, and ways to use a USB flash drive as extended memory Sidebars and tables on Internet Explorer 7, tough new parental controls, and backing up data with enhanced Vista tools Watch for these graphic icons in every chapter to guide you to specific practicalinformation. Bright Ideas are smart innovations that will save you time or hassle. Hacks are insider tips and shortcuts that increase productivity. When you see Watch Out! heed the cautions or warnings to help you avoid commonpitfalls. And finally, check out Inside Scoops for practical insights from the author. It's like having your own expert at your side!

Author Biography

Derek Torres is a technical communicator and author. He is the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Windows XP and is the author of ASP.NET 2.0: Your visual blueprint for developing Web applications. He is also a contributor to Microsoft’s Work Essentials Web site and Windows Vista Expert Zone. When he’s not writing, he enjoys traveling, gastronomy, and doing nothing. He is currently based in Washington DC and tracks his activities at www.derektorres.net.

Stuart Mudie is a Scot living in Paris, France. A professional communicator since 1995, he has worked with numerous companies in the IT and Telecommunications sectors in such fields as mobile applications and services, Web content management systems, and business intelligence. He has been blogging regularly about all of this (and also about food, wine, languages and music, just a few of his other loves) since 2001 at www.blethers.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xix
Installation, Configuration, and Customization	p. 1
The Road to Windows Vista	p. 3
A brief history of Windows Vista	p. 3
What's new in Windows Vista?	p. 6
Working with the Vista interface	p. 6
Control Panel	p. 9
Searches	p. 10
XPS support	p. 11
Live Icons	p. 11
Borders	p. 12
Performance	p. 12
Sidebar and gadgets	p. 14
Ease of Access Center	p. 15
Introducing Internet Explorer 7	p. 15
Improved security	p. 17
Creating backups	p. 18
Synching data	p. 19
Speech recognition	p. 19
Windows SideShow	p. 20
Windows multimedia	p. 20
Windows Update	p. 21
Other applications	p. 22
The many editions of Windows Vista	p. 22
Windows Vista Starter	p. 23
Windows Vista Home Basic	p. 24
Windows Vista Home Premium	p. 24
Windows Vista Business	p. 24
Windows Vista Enterprise	p. 25
Windows Vista Ultimate	p. 25
How it will ship	p. 26
Should I make the jump to Windows Vista?	p. 26
What Microsoft did right	p. 27
What Microsoft got wrong	p. 29
Other members of the Vista family	p. 31
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit	p. 31
Microsoft Windows Vista N	p. 31
Windows Vista Tablet PC edition	p. 32
Choosing the right edition	p. 32
Pricing Windows Vista	p. 34
Just the facts	p. 35
Preparing for Installation	p. 37
Installation options	p. 37
Custom installation	p. 38
Upgrade	p. 39
Dual boot installation	p. 41
Network installation	p. 42
Other installation options	p. 42
Buy a new computer, get Vista free	p. 43
Upgrade your existing computer	p. 47
Use your existing hardware	p. 50
The Windows Vista hardware compatibility list	p. 52
Collecting information about your computer	p. 52
Using the System Information feature	p. 52
Putting the numbers together	p. 53
Dealing with firmware when working with hardware	p. 54
Determine device driver versions	p. 54
What's your (file) type?	p. 54
Internet settings	p. 55
The Upgrade Advisor	p. 57
About activation and registration	p. 58
Upgrading your current version of Windows	p. 61
If you learned anything in this chapter	p. 62
Just the facts	p. 63
Installing Windows Vista	p. 65
Hard drives and partitioning	p. 65
Shedding the fat: Viva NTFS	p. 68
Installing Windows Vista: Custom installation	p. 69
Installing Windows Vista: Upgrade installation	p. 76
Installing Windows Vista: Network installation	p. 80
Installing Windows Vista: Dual booting with Windows	p. 82
Installing Windows Vista: Dual booting with Linux	p. 85
Logging on to a Domain or Workgroup	p. 87
Uninstalling or removing Windows Vista	p. 87
Just the facts	p. 88
Managing the Windows Desktop	p. 89
Meet the Welcome Center	p. 89
Introducing the Aero experience	p. 94
How does Aero affect Vista?	p. 99
Aero and the Vista interface	p. 100
Back to the desktop basics	p. 101
Time to launch and roll!	p. 102
Using the taskbar	p. 102
Clock	p. 103
Volume Control	p. 104
Network	p. 104
Windows Security Alerts	p. 105
Windows Sidebar	p. 105
Desktop resolution	p. 105
Video cards, drivers, and management applications	p. 107
Desktop backgrounds and screen savers	p. 108
Working with themes	p. 110
Icons	p. 113
Relearning the Start menu	p. 114
Start menu properties	p. 118
Introducing the Windows Sidebar	p. 121
Using taskbars and toolbars	p. 123
Taming the taskbar	p. 123
Customizing toolbars	p. 125
All systems are go: The notification area	p. 126
Creating shortcuts	p. 127
Using the Windows Help system	p. 128
Working with Ease of Access	p. 130
Working with gadgets	p. 134
Tweaking your Vista experience	p. 136
Using Windows Update	p. 137
Add, move, or change Windows components	p. 139
Manage applications with Task Manager	p. 142
Backwards compatibility	p. 144
A few more words about the Control Panel	p. 145
Judgment day	p. 147
Just the facts	p. 148
Manage the Vista Enviroment	p. 149
Managing Users	p. 151
The case for users	p. 152
Add an account	p. 154
Modify User Accounts	p. 159
Changing your account name	p. 162
Create a password for your account	p. 162
Changing your picture	p. 165
Changing the account type	p. 166
Deleting the account	p. 167
Working with Parental Controls	p. 168
Start to take control!	p. 169
Windows Vista Web Filter	p. 171
Time limits	p. 172
Games	p. 172
Block specific programs	p. 173
Other Administrator options	p. 174
Create a password reset disk	p. 174
Manage your network passwords	p. 176
Manage your file encryption certificates	p. 177
Configure advanced user profile properties	p. 179
Change my environment variables	p. 179
Change group membership	p. 180
Configure fast user switching	p. 181
Use the Run as administrator command to switch users	p. 182
Use Run as Administrator from the interface	p. 182
Use Run as Administrator from the command line	p. 183
Create custom management consoles	p. 184
Create a new console	p. 186
Use your console	p. 188
Create Taskpad views	p. 189
Create group policies	p. 192
Determine Group Policy settings	p. 194
Just the facts	p. 196
Managing Files and Folders	p. 197
Change folder views	p. 198
Would you like to supersize that?	p. 198
Working with Properties	p. 201
The anatomy of the folder	p. 202
Organize	p. 204
What a pane!	p. 204
Views	p. 206
The other buttons	p. 206
Previous versions	p. 206
Searches folder	p. 207
Windows Explorer and Vista	p. 208
Adding files and folders to the Start menu	p. 208
Redirecting the Documents folder	p. 209
Create compressed files and folders	p. 211
Turn on folder compression	p. 212
Create compressed archives	p. 214
Cab it!	p. 215
Encrypt files and folders	p. 216
Advances in Vista	p. 219
Introducing Windows BitLocker	p. 219
Enable file sharing	p. 222
Working with the Public folder	p. 223
Which one should I use?	p. 224
Using the Network and Sharing Center	p. 225
Other ways of sharing files	p. 228
Managing the Recycle Bin	p. 229
A (very) few words about Indexing Service	p. 230
Just the facts	p. 230
Managing Security	p. 231
Making Windows safe	p. 232
Working with the Security Center	p. 232
Easy Hacking 101: The short history of Windows security	p. 233
The Windows Security Center	p. 234
Checking your six	p. 235
Windows Vista Firewall	p. 236
Configuring Windows Firewall	p. 237
Exceptions tab	p. 239
Advanced tab	p. 241
Test your firewall	p. 243
Logging activity	p. 244
Working with the Advanced Firewall	p. 245
Windows Firewall properties	p. 246
Connection Security Rules	p. 247
Getting ready for Windows Live OneCare	p. 248
Windows Vista Defender	p. 249
User account protection	p. 252
Authentication	p. 253
Credentials management	p. 253
Cryptography services	p. 253
Using the UAC	p. 254
Adding antivirus protection	p. 254
Windows Security Center and antivirus software	p. 255
Updating your operating system	p. 256
Configuring Windows Update settings	p. 258
Removing updates	p. 260
Other Vista security features	p. 261
Windows Service Hardening	p. 261
Network Access Protection (NAP)	p. 262
Integrated IPsec/firewall management	p. 262
Analyze Windows security	p. 252
Apply security templates	p. 264
Install and manage digital certificates	p. 265
Using the Certificate Manager	p. 266
Managing certificate properties	p. 267
Requesting a new certificate	p. 270
Renewing a certificate	p. 271
Importing a certificate	p. 271
Exporting a certificate	p. 272
Change Data Execution Prevention settings	p. 273
Audit computer and security events	p. 275
Determine effective group policies	p. 276
Audit access policies	p. 278
Audit file access	p. 279
Review the Security log	p. 280
The truth about Windows Mail	p. 282
Secure Internet Explorer	p. 285
Just the facts	p. 285
Mastering Multimedia with Windows Vista	p. 287
Introducing Windows Media Player 11	p. 287
Getting started with Windows Media Player	p. 289
Now playing	p. 291
Manage your digital library	p. 293
Create playlists	p. 295
Rip CDs	p. 297
Burn CDs	p. 300
Sync with other devices	p. 302
Using the Windows Media Center	p. 304
Navigate the Media Center interface	p. 305
Pictures + Videos	p. 306
Music	p. 307
TV + Movies	p. 308
Online Media	p. 309
Tasks	p. 309
Sharing media	p. 310
Deciding who to share with	p. 311
Deciding what to share	p. 311
Playing your content on another device or computer	p. 312
Using URGE	p. 313
Work with cameras	p. 315
Import photos from your digital camera	p. 315
Tag and you shall find	p. 316
Photo Gallery	p. 317
Performing tasks from the Gallery toolbar	p. 318
Creating a customized screen saver	p. 319
Work with scanners	p. 320
Create DVDs with DVD Maker	p. 321
Work with video cameras	p. 324
Edit video using Movie Maker 6	p. 325
Before you make a movie	p. 325
Make a movie	p. 326
Work with the storyboard	p. 327
Effects and transitions	p. 329
Titles and credits	p. 329
Publish your movie	p. 330
Just the facts	p. 331
Networking with Windows Vista	p. 333
Networking and the Internet	p. 335
Home networking 101	p. 336
Getting physical	p. 336
Vista Network and Sharing Center	p. 338
Network	p. 339
Sharing and Discovery	p. 341
Tasks	p. 342
View computers and devices	p. 343
Connect to a network	p. 344
Set up a connection or network	p. 344
Add a wireless device	p. 348
Managing network connections	p. 349
Diagnose Internet Connection	p. 351
Windows Network Diagnostics	p. 351
Configuring broadband connections	p. 352
Configuring cable or DSL connections	p. 353
Working with wireless	p. 354
Types of wireless protocols	p. 355
Using wireless safely	p. 355
Setting up wireless security	p. 357
Connecting to a wireless network	p. 360
Configuring Internet Connection Sharing	p. 362
Working with Windows Mail	p. 364
Set up e-mail accounts	p. 365
Securing your Windows Mail experience	p. 368
Junk E-mail	p. 368
Safe Senders	p. 368
Blocked Senders	p. 370
International	p. 370
Phishing	p. 372
Encrypting messages	p. 373
Using advanced features	p. 373
Create distribution lists	p. 373
E-mail paranoia: Return receipts and bcc	p. 374
Viewing e-mail headers	p. 375
Manage e-mail with message rules	p. 376
Set up and subscribe to newsgroups	p. 377
Using Windows Meeting Space	p. 381
Getting Started with Windows Meeting Space	p. 381
Using Windows Meeting Space Safely	p. 383
Goodbye Windows Messenger, hello Live Messenger	p. 383
Nice features in Windows Live Messenger	p. 384
Set up the chat service	p. 385
Chat with friends	p. 386
The hidden gems of Windows Live Messenger	p. 388
Just the facts	p. 389
Working with Windows Internet Explorer 7	p. 391
What's new in Windows Internet Explorer 7	p. 392
Enhanced security	p. 392
Display improvements	p. 393
Surfing in Protected Mode	p. 393
The Phishing Filter	p. 395
Additional security enhancements	p. 397
ActiveX opt-in	p. 397
HTTPS enhancements	p. 397
Increased protection against spoofing	p. 398
Address bar and Status bar	p. 399
Fixing unsafe security settings	p. 399
Tabbed browsing	p. 400
Using Web feed tools	p. 401
RSS feeds? Web feeds? Atom?	p. 402
Subscribing to Web feeds	p. 402
Viewing Web feeds	p. 402
Managing Web feeds	p. 404
Searching in Windows Internet Explorer	p. 404
Adding new search providers	p. 404
Changing search defaults	p. 405
Just the facts	p. 407
Working with Network Services	p. 409
Share and manage printers	p. 409
Install a printer	p. 410
Improving upon shared printers	p. 414
Manage print jobs	p. 417
Advanced printer management techniques	p. 418
Controlling global settings	p. 419
Adding printer security	p. 420
Send and receive faxes	p. 423
Configure the fax service	p. 424
Send a fax	p. 427
Receive and review faxes	p. 430
Create new fax cover pages	p. 430
Install and configure a Web server	p. 432
Using Remote Desktop	p. 437
Using Remote Assistance	p. 440
Sync Center	p. 443
Just the facts	p. 444
Integrating with Active Directory	p. 445
Set up a Windows domain	p. 445
About Active Directory Objects	p. 446
Active Directory permissions and rights	p. 447
Configure Windows Vista to join a domain	p. 449
Use the Network ID feature	p. 452
Find the name of your domain	p. 454
Create and deploy logon scripts	p. 454
Write logon scripts	p. 455
Set logon scripts for a user	p. 455
Install programs using IntelliMirror	p. 458
Use assigned applications	p. 459
Use published applications	p. 459
Search for users or printers	p. 460
Configure the Global Catalog	p. 461
Just the facts	p. 462
Manage the Hardware Environment	p. 463
Working with Windows Internals	p. 465
Display system information	p. 465
Work with the System Information utility	p. 468
Gone, but not forgotten	p. 469
Working with Device Manager	p. 470
Use Task Manager	p. 473
Work with Event Viewer	p. 479
Use panes effectively	p. 480
Introducing Views	p. 482
Improve your performance	p. 486
Monitor performance	p. 486
Use the Reliability Montior	p. 492
A generally better course	p. 493
Windows SuperFetch	p. 493
Automatic disk defragmentation	p. 493
Windows ReadyBoost	p. 494
Go to Sleep already	p. 494
Editing the Registry	p. 495
Configure and control services	p. 500
Work with Task Scheduler	p. 503
Set up a new task	p. 504
Create complex schedules	p. 505
Security and reliability improvements	p. 506
Options	p. 506
Work with the command prompt	p. 508
Where am I?	p. 509
Switches	p. 510
A few other commands	p. 511
ipconfig	p. 512
Understand Windows PowerShell	p. 513
Just the facts	p. 514
Working with Hard Drives	p. 515
Monitoring system performance	p. 515
Using the System Tools	p. 516
Character Map	p. 517
Disk Cleanup	p. 518
Disk Defragmenter	p. 519
Backup Status and Configuration	p. 520
Making the case for backups	p. 525
Using System Restore	p. 527
Windows Easy Transfer	p. 529
Task Scheduler	p. 532
Security Center	p. 534
System Information	p. 534
The bottom line	p. 535
Creating new partitions	p. 536
Use the command line	p. 538
Use the Windows interface	p. 539
The bottom line	p. 540
Creating dynamic disks	p. 540
Before you consider a dynamic disk	p. 540
Convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk	p. 541
Work with dynamic disks	p. 542
Create a simple or spanned volume	p. 542
Extend a simple or spanned volume	p. 544
Using RAID disks with Windows Vista	p. 544
Understanding disk quotas	p. 545
Set up disk quotas	p. 546
Assign default quotas via the command line	p. 549
Assign default quotas via the Windows interface	p. 549
Work with dual monitors	p. 550
Configure a UPS	p. 551
Just the facts	p. 552
Managing Portable Computers	p. 555
Goodbye hardware profiles, hello Mobility Center	p. 555
Exploring power management options	p. 557
Picking the right settings	p. 562
Understanding power states	p. 563
Work with Tablet PCs	p. 565
Building a better pen	p. 565
The new and improved Input Panel	p. 566
Making writing legible	p. 567
Understanding ClearType	p. 568
Work with Windows SideShow	p. 570
Setting up VPN	p. 571
Configure offline files	p. 572
Just the facts	p. 574
Troubleshooting Windows Vista	p. 575
Using the User Assistance platform	p. 575
Find an answer	p. 577
Ask someone	p. 578
Information from Microsoft	p. 579
A traditional online help system	p. 579
General Windows troubleshooting techniques	p. 582
Using the Startup Repair Tool	p. 584
Launch and use Safe Mode	p. 586
Troubleshoot network problems	p. 687
Use ipconfig	p. 587
Use ping	p. 588
Try the tracert utility	p. 589
Just the facts	p. 590
Appendixes	p. 591
Supported Video Cards	p. 593
Upgrade Checklist	p. 597
Differences between Windows Vista and Windows XP	p. 599
Keyboard Shortcuts	p. 603
Online Resources	p. 605
Index	p. 607
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