Digital Literacy For Dummies

Chapter 4

Windows 8.1 Basics

In This Chapter

Finding your way around in Windows 8.1

Running Windows applications

Controlling application windows

Managing files

Using a home network

Windows 8.1 is the operating system that comes preinstalled on most new computers today. You can think of Windows as the taskmaster of your computer — you tell Windows what you want to do, and it directs your computer to do it. You don’t typically talk to your computer to get it to do something (although a few grumbles now and then don’t hurt); instead, you make selections from what you see onscreen using the computer’s mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen.

In this chapter, you learn the basics of Windows 8.1, including how to run programs and manage files with it. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to use applications in Windows to do what you want to do, whether it’s play games, write letters, use the Internet, or listen to music and watch videos.

Getting Around in Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 has two main ...