Windows Vista^TM For Dummies^® Quick Reference

by Greg Harvey (Mind Over Media, Point Reyes Station, California)

• ISBN13: 9780471783268
• ISBN10: 0471783269
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Readers will save themselves time and energy by using this handy, A-to-Z reference to quickly find answers regarding the exciting new release of Windows Vista Includes helpful information on the new features of Vista, such as the task-based interface, sidebar, gadgets, new "Aero" interface, 3D-look option, heightened security, new search capabilities, and much more Covers navigating the desktop, launching programs, adding programs, removing programs, creating files, copying files and folders, and deleting files and folders Accessible organization of topics also shows readers how to create shortcuts, connect to the Internet, search the Web, add favorites, use the new file management system, and more

Author Biography

Greg Harvey, the author of a slew of For Dummies books running the gamut from Excel For Dummies to The Origins of Tolkien’s Middle-earth For Dummies, has had a long career of teaching business people the use of IBM PC, Windows, and Macintosh software application programs. From 1983 to 1988, he conducted hands-on computer software training for corporate business users with a variety of training companies (including his own, PC Teach). From 1988 to 1992, he taught university classes in Lotus 1-2-3 and Introduction to Database Management Technology (using dBASE) in the Department of Information Systems at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
In mid-1993, Greg started a new multimedia publishing venture, Mind over Media, Inc. As a multimedia developer and computer book author, he hopes to enliven his future online computer books by making them into true interactive learning experiences that will vastly enrich and improve the training of users of all skill levels. In 2006, he received his PhD  in Comparative Philosophy and Religion with a concentration on Asian Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California. When he isn’t busy writing, Dr. Greg works as a patient care and bereavement volunteer with the Hospice of Marin in Larkspur, California and Hospice by the Bay in San Francisco, California and a home and hospital volunteer with the Center for Attitudinal Healing in Sausalito, California.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Vista User Experience	1	(48)
Aero Glass Interface	2	(4)
Ah, That's What They Did with It!	6	(16)
Start is a very good place to begin	6	(2)
Using the All Programs item	8	(1)
The role of Start Search	8	(2)
Looking at virtual folders with Windows Explorer	10	(1)
Notable differences in the Vista Windows Explorer	10	(1)
The Navigation pane	11	(1)
The standard buttons on the toolbar	12	(2)
Taking a good look at the Views	14	(1)
Using the address bar	15	(1)
Making the most of the Details pane	16	(2)
Displaying the Search pane and Preview pane	18	(1)
Restoring the Classic pull-down menus to Windows Explorer	19	(1)
Restoring the Classic Windows Start menu	19	(1)
Getting rid of the Vista glassiness	20	(1)
Adopting a Classic view of the Control Panel	21	(1)
Things that haven't changed a bit	21	(1)
Flip and Flip 3D	22	(1)
Personalize	23	(2)
Search	25	(4)
Adding tags for searches	27	(1)
Doing advanced searches with the Search pane	27	(1)
Saving search results in a search folder	28	(1)
Sidebar and Gadgets	29	(5)
Changing where and how the Sidebar appears	30	(1)
Hiding or eliminating the Sidebar	31	(1)
Adding new gadgets to your Sidebar	31	(1)
Customizing the contents of a gadget	32	(1)
Changing the opacity of a gadget	33	(1)
Detaching a gadget from the Sidebar and freely moving it around the desktop	33	(1)
Vista Desktop	34	(2)
Displaying additional desktop icons	34	(1)
Creating desktop shortcuts	35	(1)
Vista Taskbar	36	(9)
The Start menu	37	(1)
Customizing the taskbar	38	(1)
Customizing the Start menu	38	(2)
Using the Quick Launch toolbar	40	(1)
Adding other toolbars to the taskbar	41	(1)
Creating new toolbars	41	(1)
The Notification area	42	(1)
Customizing the Notification area	42	(1)
Switching between open windows	43	(1)
Arranging windows on the desktop	43	(1)
Using the Task Manager	44	(1)
Welcome Center	45	(1)
Windows Help and Support	46	(3)
Part 2: Computer Management	49	(32)
Disk Management	50	(3)
Opening folders on drives in the Computer window	51	(1)
Formatting a disk	51	(1)
Mapping a network folder as a local drive	52	(1)
File and Folder Management	53	(19)
Assigning filenames	54	(1)
Creating new files and folders	55	(1)
Customizing a window's Folder Options	56	(1)
Changing how you select and open items	57	(1)
Changing how items are displayed in a folder	57	(1)
Creating compressed (zipped) folders	58	(1)
Extracting files from a compressed folder	59	(1)
Selecting files and folders	60	(1)
Copying (and moving) files and folders	61	(4)
Deleting files and folders	65	(1)
Renaming files and folders	66	(1)
Sharing files	67	(5)
Program Management	72	(2)
Removing or repairing a program	72	(1)
Changing the program defaults	72	(2)
Restart, Sleep/Hibernate, Lock, Log Off, and Shut Down	74	(1)
Windows Explorer	75	(6)
Changing the display of an Explorer window	76	(1)
Sorting and filtering items in an Explorer window	77	(4)
Part 3: Networking	81	(14)
Connect to a Network	82	(1)
Manage Network Connections	83	(1)
Manage Wireless Networks	84	(3)
Modifying the order in which Vista automatically connects to wireless networks	85	(1)
Manually adding a new wireless network	85	(1)
Removing an unused network from the list	86	(1)
Network Access	87	(3)
Turning on File Sharing or Discovery and Sharing	87	(2)
Opening and exploring shared computers on the network	89	(1)
Network and Sharing Center	90	(1)
Network Map	91	(1)
Set Up a Connection or Network	92	(3)
Part 4: Communications	95	(44)
Internet Explorer 7	96	(22)
Connecting to the Internet	96	(1)
Launching Internet Explorer 7	96	(1)
Adding and changing home pages	97	(1)
Navigating the Web	98	(1)
Zooming in on page	99	(1)
Using the Panning Hand to scroll the Web page	100	(1)
Address AutoComplete	101	(1)
Adding Web Favorites	101	(1)
Opening Favorites	102	(1)
Organizing Favorites	103	(2)
Using Internet Explorer 7 tabs	105	(1)
Saving Web graphics	106	(1)
Saving Web pages	107	(1)
Printing Web pages	108	(3)
Working offline	111	(1)
Searching from the Live Search text box	112	(1)
Autosearching from the address bar	113	(1)
Adding a search provider to Internet Explorer 7	113	(2)
No phishing allowed	115	(1)
Pop-ups anyone?	116	(1)
Subscribing to RSS feeds	116	(2)
Speech Recognition	118	(4)
Setting up Speech Recognition	119	(1)
Changing Speech Recognition settings	120	(2)
Windows Fax and Scan	122	(1)
Sending and receiving faxes	122	(1)
Scanning documents	123	(1)
Windows Mail	123	(11)
Creating a new e-mail account	124	(1)
Composing and sending messages	125	(3)
Adding recipients to the Contact List	128	(2)
Reading e-mail	130	(2)
Organizing e-mail	132	(1)
Deleting e-mail	133	(1)
Windows Meeting Space	134	(5)
Setting up Windows Meeting Space	134	(1)
People Near Me	135	(1)
Inviting participants to the session	136	(1)
Sharing computer resources	137	(1)
Sharing programs, files, or your Vista desktop	137	(1)
Presenting a document as a handout	138	(1)
Part 5: System Maintenance	139	(24)
Backup and Restore Center	140	(3)
File and Folder Backup	140	(1)
Complete PC Backup	141	(1)
Restoring files to your computer	142	(1)
Control Panel	143	(15)
System and Maintenance	146	(1)
Hardware and Sound	147	(1)
Printers	148	(3)
AutoPlay	151	(1)
Manage Audio Devices and Sound Themes	152	(1)
Mouse	152	(1)
Scanners and Cameras	152	(1)
Clock, Language, and Region	153	(1)
Date and Time	153	(2)
Regional and Language Options	155	(1)
Ease of Access Center	156	(2)
System Restore	158	(2)
Windows Update	160	(3)
Part 6: Security	163	(10)
BitLocker Drive Encryption	164	(1)
Parental Controls	164	(2)
Security Center	166	(2)
User Account Control	168	(2)
Managing your own account	168	(1)
Managing other user accounts	169	(1)
Changing the User Account Control status	170	(1)
Windows Defender	170	(3)
Part 7: Entertainment	173	(32)
Games	174	(1)
Media Center	175	(6)
When it's TV time	177	(2)
Watching recorded programs	179	(1)
Playing your favorite tunes	179	(1)
Playing your much-loved movies	180	(1)
Viewing your preferred photos and videos	180	(1)
Windows DVD Maker	181	(2)
Windows Media Player 11	183	(9)
Now Playing	186	(1)
Using the Media Library	187	(1)
Ripping and burning CDs	188	(1)
When you get the URGE for music	189	(1)
Using the Media Guide	190	(1)
Synching up with a portable MP3 player	191	(1)
Windows Movie Maker	192	(5)
Importing media files and capturing video clips	193	(1)
Assembling media files in your movie	193	(1)
Adding special effects to clips	194	(1)
Adding transitions	195	(1)
Adding movie titles and credits	195	(1)
Publishing the final movie	196	(1)
Windows Photo Gallery	197	(8)
Playing a slide show	200	(1)
Adding ratings, tags, and captions	201	(1)
Fixing a photo	202	(3)
Glossary: Tech Talk	205	(4)
Index	209