book

Windows 7 Plain & Simple

Name: Windows 7 Plain & Simple
Author: Jerry Joyce and Marianne Moon
ISBN: 9780735634756

by Jerry Joyce and Marianne Moon

September 2009

Beginner

400 pages

11h 21m

English

Microsoft Press

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Dedication
Acknowledgments
1. About This Book
No Computerspeak!A Quick OverviewWhat’s New in Windows 7?A Few AssumptionsA Final Word (or Two)
2. Jump Right In
What’s Where in Windows 7?Starting UpStart or Wake Up a ComputerHow to Get Your Computer GoingLeaving Your ComputerLeave ItStarting a ProgramStart a ProgramFrequently Used Windows 7 ProgramsAccessing Your DocumentsOpen a DocumentMouse and Keyboard ManeuversMouse MovesKeyboard MovesSo Many Ways to Do ItFiles, Folders, and LibrariesQuickly Finding a Program, File, or FolderSearch for the File or FolderSearching a Specific LocationRefine Your SearchAccessing EverythingOpen Any FolderExploreSwitching Among Open WindowsSelect a WindowSwitch WindowsHide the WindowsManaging WindowsUse the Buttons to Switch Between SizesUse the Mouse to Move and Resize a WindowUsing Shortcut Menus for Quick ResultsUse a Shortcut Menu CommandUsing Jump Lists for Quick AccessUse a Taskbar Jump ListUse a Start Menu Jump ListGetting HelpFind the Information
3. Accessing and Organizing
Windows ViewsChanging the Window View Choose a ViewViewing File InformationShow the informationArranging Your Files Arrange Files in a LibrarySort by FieldFilter or GroupClassifying Your FilesAdd More InformationTag a FileReturning to a Folder or LibraryReturn to a Folder or LibraryExpand the ListCreating Quick Access to a File or FolderCreate a Shortcut to a File or FolderAdding Direct Access to a Folder or LibraryPin a FolderAdd a LinkOrganizing Your Files Move, Copy, or Delete a FileRename a File or Folder or a Group of FilesRecovering a Deleted ItemUndo a DeletionRestore an ItemNavigating with Toolbars Display a Toolbar The Taskbar’s ToolbarsSharing Files with Other UsersShare a File or FolderSharing with Selected UsersShare a File or Folder with Selected UsersCopying Files to a CD or DVDArchive Your FilesCopy Files for DistributionCompressing FilesCreate a Compressed FolderUse a Compressed FileOrganizing Library FoldersAdd a Folder to a LibraryRemove a Folder from a LibraryCreate a New LibraryUsing a Removable Memory DeviceUse the Device
4. Running Programs and Gadgets
Using the RibbonExplore the RibbonUse the Quick Access ToolbarAccess More CommandsComposing a Document Create a DocumentFormat the DocumentSaving, Closing, and Opening a DocumentSave a DocumentClose a DocumentOpen a DocumentCreating Easy Access to a ProgramPin a Program to the TaskbarPin a Program to the Start MenuCopying Material Between DocumentsCopy and Insert MaterialDialog Box DecisionsInserting Special Characters Find and Insert a CharacterCrunching NumbersUse CalculatorMake Advanced CalculationsMaking Specialized CalculationsUse the Specialized CalculationsWriting Equations and FormulasWrite an EquationRunning Multiple Copies of One ProgramOpen and Use Another Copy of a ProgramCopying Your Screen Content Snip an ImageWriting Your TextWrite Your TextAdd Other ElementsTyping on Your ScreenType Your ContentWriting Quick NotesWrite and Read Your NotesWriting and Drawing Notes Write and Draw Modify and Use Your ContentAnnotating a DocumentMake Your Comments Enlarging the Screen ContentMagnify the ScreenControlling Your GadgetsControl a GadgetAdd or Delete GadgetsRunning CommandsRun a Command The Top 10 Command-Prompt CommandsFind a CommandGet Information About a CommandRunning Older ProgramsSet the Compatibility
5. Personalizing
Changing the Overall LookChange the ThemeModify the ThemeChanging the Window ColorChange the ColorEnlarging TextEnlarge the FontSetting Your Desktop BackgroundSet the BackgroundCreate a Background Slide ShowCustomizing the Desktop IconsSelect and Modify the IconsUsing a Screen SaverChoose a Screen SaverCustomizing Your MouseSet the ButtonsSet the Mouse PointerCustomizing Individual Window ElementsChange Individual ItemsControlling the User Account ControlSet the Notification LevelCustomizing the TaskbarCustomize the TaskbarCustomize the Notification Area of the TaskbarMoving the TaskbarMove and Resize the TaskbarCustomizing the Start MenuSet the Power Button and Privacy DefaultsCustomizing Windows ExplorerChange the Way Windows Explorer WorksChange the Content That’s ShownChanging Your Account PictureChange Your PictureSetting the Way a Removable Storage Device StartsSet the AutoPlayUsing Alternative Ways of WorkingSet the OptionsWorking AlternativesAlternative ToolsAlternative SettingsWorking in a Different Part of the WorldChange the Default RegionAdd Keyboard and Language SupportAdding Time Zone ClocksCreate the ClocksControlling UpdatesModify Windows UpdateCustomizing the Action Center MessagesSelect the Type of Action Center MessagesControlling Information GatheringControl Sending ProfilesControlling Problem ReportingControl Problem InformationControl Individual Program ReportsSharing Your CustomizationsShare Your Theme
6. Exploring the Internet
What’s Where in Internet Explorer?Finding a Web PageExploreGoing to a Specific Web PageSpecify an AddressOpening Multiple Web PagesSpecify the Web PageUse a LinkViewing Multiple Web PagesView Different Web PagesControl Your TabsReturning to Your Favorite SitesSave a LocationReturn to a LocationSetting Your Home Page or PagesSet Your Home Page or PagesFinding Related Web SitesSee Other SitesFinding Information on the InternetSearch for an ItemViewing One Section of a PageSubscribe to a Web SliceReading RSS FeedsGet Your FeedRead Your FeedControlling Pop-Up WindowsSet the Pop-Up BlockerControl the Pop-Up WindowsBrowsing in PrivateForget Your HistoryTurn On Private BrowsingKeeping Your Information PrivateBlock Information GatheringManaging Add-OnsManage the Add-OnsTransferring Your SettingsSave the InformationTransfer the InformationSaving a Web PageSave a Web PageCopying Material from a Web PageSave a PictureSave Some TextUsing Accelerators for Quick ActionsUse an Accelerator
7. Playing Games
Playing Your GamesPlay a GameControl the GamesPlaying Chess TitansPlay Chess TitansPlaying FreeCellPlay FreeCellPlaying HeartsPlay HeartsPlaying Mahjong TitansPlay Mahjong TitansPlaying MinesweeperPlay MinesweeperPlaying SolitairePlay SolitairePlaying Purble PlacePlay Comfy CakesPlay Purble ShopPlay Purble PairsPlaying Spider SolitairePlay Spider SolitairePlaying Games over the InternetPlay a GamePlaying Microsoft Touch Pack GamesPlay the Touch Games
8. Working with Pictures
Viewing Your PhotosView Your PhotosUse the ViewerSo Many Photo Tools!Creating a Multimedia Slide ShowAssemble a DVD Slide ShowCreate the Slide ShowViewing Photos with Windows Media CenterView Individual PhotosCreate and Play a Slide ShowViewing Photos with Windows Live Photo GalleryBrowse Your PhotosClassify and Find Your PhotosEditing Your PhotosAdjust the PictureCrop a PhotoRemove “Red Eye”Viewing a Custom Photo Slide ShowView the ShowCreating a Panoramic PhotoMerge Your PhotosCreating an Online Photo AlbumCreate the AlbumImporting Photos from Your Camera or Removable MediaImport Your PhotosDrawing PicturesCreate a PictureEdit a PictureChanging a Picture’s ResolutionResize with Paint

9. Working with Multimedia
Playing Multimedia with Media PlayerStart PlayingPlay AnythingArranging Your Media with PlaylistsCreate a PlaylistCreate an Auto PlaylistCopying CD MusicRip from a CDCreate a Music CDControlling Video PlaybackAdjust the PlaybackChanging Media Player’s AppearanceApply a SkinSynchronizing Media with a Portable DeviceSynchronizeControl the Synchronization SettingsSharing Media Libraries on Your NetworkShare with Specific Computers and DevicesShare with EveryoneAccessing Your Media over the InternetSet Up the ConnectionTroubleshoot the ConnectionPlaying Your Media on Another Computer or DeviceSet Up a Computer or a Device to Receive MediaPlay Media to a DeviceUsing Windows Media CenterWatching Windows Media CenterControl Media CenterCreating a Video DVDCreate the DVDRecording Video from a CameraRecord Live VideoDownloading Recorded Video from a CameraDownload the Entire VideoDownload Video ClipsMaking a MovieCreate a Movie
10. Using Voice and Sounds
Controlling the VolumeSet the Master Volume LevelSet the Volume for Events and ProgramsControlling the Sound SystemSet the Speaker DefaultsSet the Input DefaultsSet the Background LevelCreating a Sound ThemeChange the Sounds in a ThemeCreate a Sound SchemeDirecting Your Computer with Voice CommandsStart Speech RecognitionUse the CommandsDictating TextDictate Your TextUse the CommandsCorrect ErrorsCustomizing Speech RecognitionCustomizeTalking to the MouseUse the GridLetting Your Computer Do the TalkingListen to NarratorCreating a Sound FileRecord SoundsUsing Alternatives to SoundTurn on Visual Cues
11. Printing and Scanning
Printing a FilePrint a DocumentSpecifying a Default PrinterChange the Default PrinterControlling Your PrintingControl the Print QueueControl the PrinterPrinting Your PhotographsPrint the PhotosPrinting Web PagesFix the LayoutCreating an XPS DocumentCreate a DocumentScanning a Picture into PaintScan a PictureScanning AnythingScan an ItemManage Your ScansQuickly Scanning an ItemChoose Your Scanning Settings
12. Communicating
E-Mailing Your PhotosSend Your PhotosE-Mailing Your FilesE-Mail Your FilesSending a FaxFax a DocumentFax AnythingReceiving a FaxManually Receive a FaxView a FaxConnecting with Your ContactsEnter Your ContactsUse Your ContactsSharing Your ContactsSend Contact Information by E-MailShare Multiple ContactsReceive ContactsCreating a Contacts GroupCreate a GroupUnderstanding E-Mail Clients and WebmailUsing Windows Live MailUse Windows Live MailSending E-Mail with Windows Live MailCreate a MessageE-Mailing a File with Windows Live MailSend a File by E-MailReceive an AttachmentSending Photos with Windows Live MailAdd Your PhotosFormat the PhotosCommunicating with Windows Live
13. Networking
Joining a HomegroupJoin a HomegroupAccessing Your HomegroupAccess Shared LibrariesSharing with Your HomegroupShare Your LibrariesShare a Custom LibraryControlling Homegroup SharingAllow Changes to a FilePrevent Access to a FileUnderstanding Networks in Windows 7Allowing Your Files to Be SharedSet Up Sharing PermissionViewing Your NetworkView the NetworkConnecting to a Network ComputerConnect to a ComputerConnect to a Computer That’s Not ListedCreating a Connection to a Network FolderAssign a DriveTransferring FilesConnecting to a Network over the InternetCreate a VPN ConnectionConfigure the ConnectionConnecting to a Network over the TelephoneCall InReconnecting to a NetworkUse Your ConnectionsConnecting to a Public Wireless NetworkConnect to a NetworkConnect to a Hidden NetworkManaging Your Network ConnectionsManage Wireless Network ConnectionsManage Other Network ConnectionsConnecting Without a NetworkCreate a NetworkConnect to the Network
14. Setting Up
Transferring Files and SettingsSet Up the ComputersTransfer the InformationSetting Your Default ProgramsSet the System DefaultsCustomize the SettingsTurning Windows Features On or OffTurn a Feature On or OffAssociating a File Type with a ProgramSet a Program to Always Open a FileSetting Up a HomegroupCreate the HomegroupChange the PasswordSetting Up Dial-Up Internet AccessSet Up a ConnectionControl the ConnectionSetting Up a ModemSet the Dialing RulesSetting Up Internet Connection SharingShare the ConnectionSetting Up Windows BackupSet Up BackupSetting Up Windows Live Essentials ProgramsSet Up Windows LiveSetting Up Windows Live MailSet Up Your E-Mail AccountAdd an AccountModify Account SettingsSetting Up for FaxingSet Up the FaxPersonalize the FaxSetting Up a PrinterSet Up a Local PrinterConnect to a Network PrinterSharing a Printer over the NetworkShare the Printer
15. Maintaining Security
Setting Your PasswordCreate a PasswordChanging Your PasswordChange Your PasswordResetting Your PasswordCreate and Use a Password Reset DiskForce a New PasswordRestricting User RightsChange the Type of AccessUse the Guest AccountKnow Your RightsUser GroupsMonitoring Your Security SettingsCheck Your SettingsConfiguring the Windows FirewallConfigure the FirewallAllow or Block Specific ProgramsProtecting Yourself from SpywareSet Your OptionsTake ActionLimiting Access to the ComputerCreate the RulesRestricting Time on the ComputerRestrict Access TimesRestricting Access to GamesRestrict the GamesRestricting Access to ProgramsBlock ProgramsRestricting Internet ContentEnable Content AdvisorMaintaining High SecurityDoing Your PartSetting Internet Explorer SecuritySet Your SecurityRestricting DVD Movies in Windows Media PlayerSpecify the Allowable DVD RatingRestricting Content in Windows Media CenterSet the Movie and DVD ControlSet the TV ControlInstalling Critical FixesConfigure Your Downloading
16. Managing Windows 7
Changing the Date and TimeChange the Date, Time, or Time ZoneChanging the DisplayIncrease the Computer’s Screen AreaManaging Windows ArrangementsTurn off Automatic Window ArrangementsChanging Search OptionsSet the Search OptionsChanging Indexing OptionsSet Your Indexing OptionsManaging Your CredentialsManage the VaultAdding or Deleting User AccountsAdd a Standard AccountDelete an AccountCreating a Linked Online IDLink the IDsManaging Travel SettingsControl the SettingsControlling the Power OptionsUse a Power PlanSet the Power Buttons and the Password RequirementManaging Multiple MonitorsConfigure the DisplaysManage the Extended DesktopConfiguring a Pen or Touch ComputerChange the SettingsManaging Pen SettingsSet the Pen OptionsManaging Navigational and Editing FlicksControl Your FlicksCustomize the FlicksManaging Touch SettingsCustomize Your TouchCustomize PanningChecking the Performance Status of WindowsCheck the Performance StatusMaintaining Your Hard DiskMaintain a DriveDisk-Maintenance ToolsTroubleshooting ProblemsFind a TroubleshooterRun a TroubleshooterHelping Each OtherStart the SessionSolve The ProblemAll Those Tools and Settings!Information-Gathering ToolsSystem Settings ToolsSpeeding Up Your SystemUse ReadyBoostRemoving a Software ProgramUninstall a ProgramStarting Up When There’s a ProblemControl the StartupWindows Error-Recovery Startup OptionsAdditional Options Using the Windows Advanced Boot Options MenuRepairing the SystemRepair the SystemRepair Tools Available from the Repair Your Computer WizardFixing System ProblemsRestore the SystemManaging EverythingUse the ConsoleComputer Management Console ItemsBacking Up Your FilesBack Up NowRestoring Backed-Up FilesRestore the FilesSaving EverythingCreate a System ImageDownloading Free SoftwareDownload the Software
About the Authors
Copyright

Overview

Get the fast facts that make learning Windows 7 plain and simple! This no-nonsense guide uses easy, numbered steps and concise, straightforward language to show the most expedient way to perform tasks and solve problems in Windows 7.

Here’s what you’ll learn to do:

Run programs, control gadgets, play games.

Send e-mail, browse the Web, and share your files.

Organize your digital media, including photos, music, and videos.

Burn CDs and DVDs; make your own movies.

Set up your printer and a simple home network.

Manage security settings and perform easy tune-ups and fixes.

Here’s how you’ll learn it:

Jump in wherever you need answers.

Easy-to-follow steps and screenshots show you exactly what to do.

Handy tips teach you new techniques and shortcuts.

Quick TRY THIS! Exercises help you apply what you’ve learned right away.

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

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