Easy Windows® 8.1

Easy Windows® 8.1

by Mark Edward Soper
Released October 2013
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780133541717

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Book description

See it done. do it yourself.  It’s that Easy! Easy Windows 8.1 teaches you the fundamentals to help you get the most from Windows 8.1. Fully illustrated steps with simple instructions guide you through each task, building the skills you need to perform the most common tasks with Windows.
No need to feel intimidated; we’ll hold your hand every step of the way.

Learn how to

   •  Use the Windows Start screen, tiles, and touch interface

   •  Connect with everyone you care about through Windows 8.1’s included apps (Skype, Mail, and SkyDrive)

   •  Speed web browsing with new Internet Explorer 11 tools and tips

   •  Enjoy your favorite music and media

   •  Edit and protect your favorite photos and videos

   •  Get free apps and games at the Windows Store

   •  Share what you want to share--and nothing else--on your home network

   •  Plan your trips, dining, and travel with great new and improved apps

   •  Fix problems and keep your computer running fast

Table of contents

  1. About This eBook
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents at a Glance
  5. Contents
  6. About the Author
  7. Dedication
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. We Want to Hear from You!
  10. Reader Services
  11. Introduction
    1. Why This Book Was Written
    2. How to Read Easy Windows 8.1
    3. Beyond the Table of Contents—What’s Inside
  12. Part I: Introducing Windows 8.1 and Installing It
    1. Chapter 1. What’s New and Improved in Windows 8.1
      1. Start Screen
      2. Live Tiles
      3. Supercharged Search
      4. Powerful, Flexible Calculator
      5. Enhanced Split Screen
      6. Internet Explorer 11
      7. Easy Photo Editing
      8. Windows 8.1 Shortcut Keys
    2. Chapter 2. Upgrading to Windows 8.1
      1. Starting the Installation
      2. Reviewing Settings
      3. Completing the Installation
  13. Part II: Using the Windows 8.1 Modern UI
    1. Chapter 3. Essential Windows 8.1 Tasks
      1. Logging In to Windows
      2. Using the On-Screen Keyboard to Log In
      3. Moving Around the Start Screen
      4. Opening the Charms Bar
      5. Using the Touch Keyboard
      6. Entering Emoticons and Special Symbols
      7. Using a Stylus for Handwriting
      8. Using Your Touchscreen
      9. Using Your Mouse or Integrated Touchpad
      10. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      11. Locking and Unlocking Your PC
      12. Choosing Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart
    2. Chapter 4. Using the Windows 8.1 Start Screen
      1. Working with the Start Screen
      2. Opening an App
      3. Switching Between Apps
      4. Closing an App
      5. Comparing Modern UI Apps and Desktop Programs
      6. Connecting a Drive
      7. Viewing and Using Apps
      8. Using Search to Find “Everything”
      9. Using Search to Find Specific Types of Content
      10. Zooming the Start Screen
    3. Chapter 5. Browsing the Web from the Modern UI
      1. Starting Internet Explorer 11
      2. Entering a Website Address (URL)
      3. Working with Tabs in IE11
      4. Creating a New Tab in IE11
      5. Using InPrivate Browsing
      6. Reopening a Frequently Used Web Page
      7. Removing an Entry from the Frequent List
      8. Pinning a Page to the Start Screen
      9. Unpinning a Page from the Start Screen
      10. Closing a Tab in IE11
      11. Printing a Web Page
      12. Viewing a Page on the Windows Desktop
      13. Closing IE11
    4. Chapter 6. Using Alarms, Calculator, and Sound Recorder
      1. Using Alarms as an Alarm Clock
      2. Using Timer
      3. Using Stopwatch
      4. Starting Calculator and Switching Modes
      5. Converting Values with Calculate
      6. Recording Audio with Sound Recorder
      7. Editing Recorded Audio
    5. Chapter 7. Enjoying Music and Video
      1. Playing Your Music Collection with Music
      2. Exploring Your Music Library
      3. Creating a Radio Station
      4. Explore Featured and Top Music
      5. Playing Music from Explore
      6. Starting the Video App
      7. Learning More About a Highlighted Video
      8. Buying Music and Videos
      9. Searching for TV Shows and Movies
      10. Playing and Downloading Your Purchase
    6. Chapter 8. Using Movie Moments
      1. Starting Movie Moments
      2. Movie Moments’ Basic Controls
      3. Trimming and Splitting Your Video
      4. Creating a Title
      5. Emphasizing Selected Text
      6. Adding Music
      7. Previewing and Saving Your Video
      8. Sharing Your Video
    7. Chapter 9. Viewing and Taking Photos with Photos and Camera
      1. Shooting Photos with Camera
      2. Using the Self Timer
      3. Using Video Mode
      4. View Your Photos with Camera Roll
      5. Crop Your Photos
      6. Making and Saving Other Changes
    8. Chapter 10. Working with Files
      1. Viewing Files on SkyDrive
      2. Creating Folders and Adding Files in SkyDrive
      3. Delete and Rename Files or Folders on SkyDrive and This PC
      4. Cutting and Pasting Files and Folders in This PC or SkyDrive
      5. Copying and Pasting Files in the Same Folder
      6. Using Open With
    9. Chapter 11. Mail, Skype, and Information Services
      1. Starting Mail
      2. Reading a Message in Mail
      3. Marking a Message as Junk
      4. Viewing a Newsletter
      5. Writing and Sending a Message
      6. Starting and Using Calendar
      7. Scheduling Appointments with Calendar
      8. Getting Directions with Maps
      9. Trip Planning with Maps
      10. Using the People App
      11. Checking Weather with the Weather App
      12. Using Finance
      13. Creating a Shopping List from a Recipe with Food & Drink
      14. Using Health & Fitness for Nutritional Information
      15. Starting and Joining Skype
      16. Selecting Favorites
      17. Receiving a Call with Skype
      18. Placing a Call with Skype
      19. Text Messaging with Skype
    10. Chapter 12. Customizing the Start Screen
      1. Relocating Tiles on the Start Screen
      2. Setting Up Name Groups
      3. Pinning an App to the Start Screen
      4. Unpinning an Object from the Start Screen
      5. Pinning a Folder to the Start Screen
      6. Personalizing the Start Screen
      7. Adjusting the Size of Start Screen Tiles
      8. Turning Live Tiles Off and On
    11. Chapter 13. Managing Windows with PC Settings
      1. Adjusting System Volume
      2. Changing Screen Brightness and Notifications
      3. PC Settings Overview
      4. Customize the Lock Screen
      5. Setting Display Resolution
      6. Adjusting Mouse and Touchpad Settings
      7. Changing AutoPlay Settings
      8. Viewing PC Info
      9. Managing SkyDrive Storage Settings
      10. Setting Camera Roll Options
      11. Sync Settings
      12. Metered Connections
      13. Setting Search Options
      14. Setting App Share Options
      15. General Notification Settings
      16. App-Specific Notification Settings
      17. App Sizes and Uninstall Options
      18. General Privacy Settings
      19. Configuring Location Settings
      20. Configuring Webcam Usage
      21. Configuring Microphone Usage
      22. Configuring Time Zone
      23. Configuring Ease of Access
      24. The Recent Settings Pane
    12. Chapter 14. Using the Windows Store
      1. Going to the Store
      2. Searching for Apps by Name
      3. Browsing for Apps by Category
      4. Learning More about an App
      5. Searching for Apps by Keyword Phrase
      6. Installing an App
      7. Rating an App
      8. Uninstalling an App from the Start Screen
      9. Adding a Payment Method to Your Account
      10. Viewing Your Apps
    13. Chapter 15. Playing Games
      1. Shopping for Games
      2. Managing Your Online Gaming Experience
      3. Revisiting the Xbox Games Page for Your Game
  14. Part III: Using the Windows 8.1 Desktop
    1. Chapter 16. Running Desktop Apps
      1. Opening the Apps Screen
      2. Searching for “Hidden” Apps
      3. Using Sort Options to Find an App
      4. Starting a Desktop App from the Apps Screen
      5. Pinning a Desktop App to the Start Screen
      6. Adding an App to the Desktop Taskbar
      7. Switching Between Apps
      8. Using the Snipping Tool
      9. Using Sticky Notes
      10. Using Character Map with WordPad
      11. Printing
    2. Chapter 17. Managing Storage with File Explorer
      1. Starting File Explorer
      2. Introduction to File Explorer
      3. Using the Home Tab
      4. Using the View Tab
      5. Copying and Moving Files or Folders
      6. Dealing with Filename Conflicts
      7. Burning Data Discs
      8. Selecting, Viewing, and Grouping Options
      9. Creating Compressed Files with the Share Tab
      10. Using Frequent Places
      11. Managing Drives
    3. Chapter 18. Networking Your Home with HomeGroup
      1. Connecting to an Unsecured Wireless Network
      2. Connecting to a Secured Private Network
      3. Connecting to a Hidden Network
      4. Disconnecting and Disabling Wireless Access
      5. Creating a HomeGroup from the Start Screen
      6. Viewing the Password for Your HomeGroup
      7. Joining a HomeGroup from the Start Screen
      8. Opening the Network and Internet Window in Control Panel
      9. Setting Up a HomeGroup from Network and Internet
      10. Joining a HomeGroup from Network and Internet
      11. Opening HomeGroup Files
      12. Customized Sharing for Folders You Choose
      13. Viewing a Folder’s Sharing Settings
      14. Leaving a HomeGroup from the Network Screen
    4. Chapter 19. Working with Photos and Music from Your Desktop
      1. Adding Pictures to Your Pictures Library
      2. Importing Pictures
      3. Selecting Import Options
      4. Using Windows Photo Viewer
      5. Printing Photos with Windows Photo Viewer
      6. Starting Windows Media Player
      7. Playing an Audio CD
      8. Using Playback Controls in Windows Media Player
      9. Ripping (Copying) an Audio CD
      10. Selecting and Playing Albums and Individual Tracks
      11. Setting Up Playlists
      12. Syncing Files to a Media Player
      13. Burning (Creating) a Music CD
    5. Chapter 20. Web Browsing from Your Desktop
      1. Starting IE11 from the Desktop
      2. Entering a Website Address (URL)
      3. Working with Tabs
      4. Setting Your Home Page
      5. Opening a Link
      6. Using Page Zoom
      7. Previewing and Printing a Web Page
      8. Opening the Favorites Center
      9. Adding Favorites to the Favorites Bar
      10. Adding Favorites to the Favorites Center
      11. Organizing Favorites
      12. Saving a Tab Group as a Favorite
      13. Opening a Favorite Website or Tab Group
      14. Using Accelerators
      15. Using InPrivate Browsing from the Desktop
      16. Managing Popups
      17. Setting Internet Privacy Features
      18. Deleting Selected Items from Your History List
      19. Deleting All Items from Your History List
      20. Saving a Web Page
      21. Emailing a Web Page or Link
  15. Part IV: Managing Windows 8.1
    1. Chapter 21. Advanced Configuration Options
      1. Configuring Windows Update
      2. Adding and Using an Additional Display
      3. Personalizing Your Desktop Background
      4. Selecting a Standard Window Color
      5. Creating a Customized Window Color
      6. Selecting a Screen Saver
      7. Saving a Desktop Theme
      8. Managing Devices and Printers from the Windows Desktop
      9. Seeing What Programs Are Running with Task Manager
    2. Chapter 22. User Accounts and System Security
      1. Setting Up Windows 8 for Multiple Users
      2. Changing an Account Type
      3. Selecting an Account to Log In To
      4. Setting Up PIN Number Access
      5. Configuring Parental Controls with Family Safety
      6. Reviewing Family Safety Logs
      7. Setting Up and Using a Picture Password
    3. Chapter 23. Protecting Your System
      1. Looking at User Account Control
      2. Configuring Windows Update
      3. Protecting Your Files with File History
      4. Recovering Files with File History
      5. Checking Security Settings with Windows Action Center
      6. Checking for Viruses and Spyware with Windows Defender
      7. Setting Windows Defender Options
    4. Chapter 24. System Maintenance and Performance
      1. Selecting a Power Scheme
      2. Viewing Disk Information
      3. Checking Drives for Errors
      4. Using Windows Troubleshooters
      5. Using System Restore
      6. Displaying System Information
      7. Testing Memory
      8. Scheduling Tasks
      9. Opening the Troubleshoot Startup Menu
      10. Using Refresh
  16. Glossary
  17. Index
  18. Appendix A. Installing Windows to an Empty Drive
    1. Starting the Installation Process
    2. Entering Your Product Key and Agreeing to License Terms
    3. Selecting a Location for the Installation
    4. Personalizing Your Installation
    5. Signing In to Your Microsoft Account
    6. Getting and Using a Security Code
    7. Final Settings

Product information

  • Title: Easy Windows® 8.1
  • Author(s): Mark Edward Soper
  • Release date: October 2013
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 9780133541717