Computer Basics Absolute Beginner’s Guide, Windows® 8.1 Edition, Seventh Edition

Computer Basics Absolute Beginner’s Guide, Windows® 8.1 Edition, Seventh Edition

Released January 2014
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780133552430

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Book description

Make the most of your new Windows® 8.1 notebook, desktop computer, or tablet–without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to get comfortable, get productive, get online, get started with social networking, make more connections, and have more fun!

Even if you’ve never used a Windows computer before, this book shows you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Computer basics have never, ever been this simple!

Who knew how simple using computers could be?

This is today’s best beginner’s guide to using your computer or tablet with the new Windows 8.1 operating system…simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:

•   Set up Windows 8.1 and get online fast

•   Use the new Windows 8.1 Modern interface

•   Get started with social networking on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn

•   Use Windows 8.1’s built-in apps–and find great new apps in the Windows Store

•   Connect printers and external storage, and set up automatic file backup

•   Create a home network in just minutes

•   Go online to shop, sell your stuff, manage your money, and do research

•   Get your office work done fast

•   Organize, view, and share photos

•   Play music using Windows 8.1, iTunes, or streaming music services

•   Watch TV shows and movies online

•   Protect yourself against viruses, spyware, and spam

•   Keep your system running reliably at top speed

Table of contents

  1. About This eBook
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents at a Glance
  5. Table of Contents
  6. About the Author
  7. Dedication
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. We Want to Hear from You!
  10. Reader Services
  11. Introduction
    1. How This Book Is Organized
    2. Which Version of Windows?
    3. Conventions Used in This Book
    4. Let Me Know What You Think
  12. Part I: Understanding Computers and Similar Devices
    1. 1. How Personal Computers Work
      1. What Your Computer Can Do
      2. Inside a Personal Computer
      3. Other Parts of Your Computer System
      4. Different Types of Computers
      5. Don’t Worry, You Can’t Screw It Up—Much
    2. 2. Setting Up and Using a Desktop Computer
      1. Understanding the Components of a Desktop Computer System
      2. Before You Get Started
      3. Connecting a Traditional Desktop PC
      4. Connecting an All-in-One Desktop
      5. Turning It On and Setting It Up
    3. 3. Setting Up and Using a Notebook or Tablet Computer
      1. Understanding Notebook and Hybrid PCs
      2. Understanding Tablet PCs
      3. Connecting Peripherals and Powering On
  13. Part II: Using Windows
    1. 4. Getting to Know Windows 8.1
      1. Introducing Microsoft Windows
      2. Starting and Logging into Windows
      3. Using Windows with a Mouse
      4. Using Windows with a Touchscreen Display
      5. Learning Important Windows Operations
      6. Getting Help in Windows
      7. Shutting Down Windows—and Your Computer
    2. 5. Using the New Windows 8.1 Interface
      1. Working Your Way Around the Start Screen
      2. Using the Charms Bar
      3. Personalizing the Start Screen
      4. Personalizing the Lock Screen
      5. Changing Your Account Picture
      6. Making Windows 8.1 More Like Windows 7
      7. Setting Up Additional User Accounts
      8. Configuring Other Windows Settings
    3. 6. Using the Traditional Windows Desktop
      1. Displaying the Desktop
      2. Opening Desktop Applications
      3. Working with Windows on the Desktop
      4. Personalizing the Windows Desktop
    4. 7. Working with Files, Folders, and Other Storage
      1. Understanding Files and Folders
      2. Using File Explorer
      3. Navigating the Folders on Your PC
      4. Viewing Files and Folders
      5. Performing Basic File and Folder Operations
      6. Working with the Recycle Bin
      7. Working with Compressed Folders
      8. Copying Files to Another Computer
      9. Working with Microsoft SkyDrive
  14. Part III: Setting Up the Rest of Your Computer System
    1. 8. Connecting Other Devices to Your PC—and Your PC to Other Devices
      1. Getting to Know the Most Popular Peripherals
      2. Adding New Hardware to Your System
      3. Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC
      4. Connecting Your PC to Your Living Room TV
    2. 9. Working with Printers
      1. Selecting the Right Printer for Your Needs
      2. Adding a Printer to Your System
      3. Printing to Your System’s Printer
    3. 10. Adding Storage and Backup
      1. Understanding External Storage
      2. Connecting an External Hard Drive
      3. Backing Up Your Important Files
    4. 11. Setting Up a Home Network
      1. How Networks Work
      2. Setting Up a Wireless Network in Your Home
      3. Connecting Your Computer to Your New Network
      4. Adding Your Computer to a HomeGroup
      5. Accessing Computers on Your Network
  15. Part IV: Using the Internet
    1. 12. Connecting to the Internet—at Home and on the Road
      1. Different Types of Connections in the Home
      2. Sharing an Internet Connection
      3. Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot
      4. Activating Airplane Mode
    2. 13. Using Internet Explorer to Surf the Web
      1. Understanding the Web
      2. Using Internet Explorer (Modern Version)
      3. Using the Desktop Version of Internet Explorer
    3. 14. Searching and Researching Online
      1. How to Search the Web
      2. Where to Search
      3. Smart Searching from Within Windows
      4. Searching for People and Businesses
      5. Using Wikipedia for Research
    4. 15. Shopping and Selling Online
      1. How to Shop Online
      2. How to Shop Safely
      3. Buying and Selling on eBay
      4. Buying and Selling on Craigslist
  16. Part V: Communicating Online
    1. 16. Sending and Receiving Email
      1. How Email Works
      2. POP Email Versus Web Mail
      3. Using Gmail
      4. Sending Files via Gmail
      5. Managing Your Email with the Windows Mail App
    2. 17. Social Networking with Facebook
      1. How Social Networking Works
      2. Getting to Know Facebook
      3. Keeping Tabs on Friends
      4. Keeping in Touch with Status Updates
      5. Sharing Photos
      6. Managing Your Privacy on Facebook
    3. 18. More Social Networking with Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter
      1. Using Pinterest
      2. Using LinkedIn
      3. Using Twitter
      4. Using Social Networks—Smartly and Safely
    4. 19. Managing Your Social Activity (and Contacts) in Windows
      1. Understanding the People App
      2. Adding Accounts to the People App
      3. Monitoring Social Networks with the People App
      4. Managing Contacts in the People App
    5. 20. Video Chatting with Friends and Family
      1. Video Calling with Skype
      2. Video Calling in Facebook
  17. Part VI: Working with Apps
    1. 21. Understanding and Using Windows Apps
      1. Using Apps in Windows 8.1
      2. Working with Modern-Style Apps
      3. Working with Traditional Software Apps
    2. 22. Exploring Windows 8.1’s Built-In Apps
      1. Discovering the Apps and Utilities Included with Windows 8.1
      2. Working with Popular Apps
    3. 23. Finding and Installing New Apps
      1. Finding and Installing Apps from the Windows Store
      2. Finding and Installing Apps from Your Local Retailer
      3. Finding and Installing Apps Online
      4. Understanding Cloud Computing Apps
  18. Part VII: Doing Fun and Useful Things with Your PC
    1. 24. Doing Office Work
      1. Working with Microsoft Office
      2. Word Processing with Microsoft Word
      3. Number Crunching with Microsoft Excel
      4. Giving Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint
      5. Exploring Other Office Suites
    2. 25. Staying Organized
      1. Using the Windows Calendar App
      2. Using Web-Based Calendars
      3. Using Web-Based To-Do Lists
    3. 26. Viewing and Sharing Digital Photos
      1. Transferring Pictures from Your Camera, Smartphone, or Tablet
      2. Viewing Your Photos with the Windows Photos App
      3. Editing Your Photos with the Photos App
      4. Printing Your Photos
      5. Sharing Photos at an Online Photo Site
      6. Emailing Digital Photos
    4. 27. Playing Music
      1. Using the Xbox Music App
      2. Using iTunes
      3. Listening to Streaming Music Online
    5. 28. Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos
      1. Watching Streaming Video Online
      2. Using the Xbox Video App
      3. Viewing Videos on YouTube
      4. Watching Online Videos on Your Living Room TV
      5. Making Your Own Home Movies
      6. Playing DVD Movies on Your PC
  19. Part VIII: Keeping Your System Up and Running
    1. 29. Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, and Spam
      1. Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses
      2. Hunting Down Spyware
      3. Defending Against Computer Attacks
      4. Fighting Email Spam
      5. Resisting Phishing Scams
      6. Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content
    2. 30. Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems
      1. Maintaining Your Computer
      2. Keeping Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition
      3. Maintaining a Notebook PC
      4. Troubleshooting Computer Problems
      5. Troubleshooting in Safe Mode
      6. Reacting When Windows Freezes or Crashes
      7. Restoring, Resetting, or Refreshing Your System
  20. Index

Product information

  • Title: Computer Basics Absolute Beginner’s Guide, Windows® 8.1 Edition, Seventh Edition
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: January 2014
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 9780133552430