O'Reilly logo

Stay ahead with the world's most comprehensive technology and business learning platform.

With Safari, you learn the way you learn best. Get unlimited access to videos, live online training, learning paths, books, tutorials, and more.

Start Free Trial

No credit card required

Microsoft Windows Vista: Visual QuickStart Guide

Microsoft Windows Vista: Visual QuickStart Guide

by Chris Fehily
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Release Date: December 2006
ISBN: 0321434528
View table of contents
Start reading

Book Description

This fast-paced, no-fluff book teaches you the basics of Microsoft Windows Vista and includes tips, shortcuts, and workarounds for Windows veterans as well as new users, whether you're using the Home, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate edition of Vista. You'll find step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots that guide you through Vista's new and updated features, including the glasslike Aero interface; instant search; the Sidebar and Gadgets; and the improved versions of Internet Explorer, Mail, Live Messenger, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and Media Player. You'll also find information on setup; installation; upgrading from other Windows versions; troubleshooting; hardware; and organizing your documents, music, photos, and videos. Laptop and mobile users will learn how to connect from the road, jump onto a public wireless network, and conserve battery power. Author Chris Fehily also walks you through setting up a network, connecting to the Internet, configuring routers and firewalls, and hooking up printers and other devices. You'll learn how to use Vista's beefed-up security features to protect your PC and network and share files while keeping personal stuff private.

Table of Contents

  1. Copyright
    1. Dedication
  2. Special Thanks to...
  3. Introduction
    1. What Windows Does
    2. The Editions of Windows Vista
    3. What’s New in Windows Vista
      1. New Programs and Features
      2. Major Updates
      3. Moderate Updates
    4. Upgrading to Windows Vista
    5. About This Book
      1. Conventions Used in this Book
      2. Default Settings
      3. Companion Website
  4. 1. Getting Started
    1. Logging On and Logging Off
      1. Logging On
      2. Switching Users
      3. Locking Your Computer
      4. Logging Off
      5. Turning Off Your Computer
    2. Using Welcome Center
    3. Exploring the Windows Interface
    4. The Mouse
    5. The Keyboard
    6. Menus
      1. Shortcut Menus
      2. Menu Buttons
      3. Ribbons
    7. Toolbars
    8. Icons
    9. Windows
      1. Activating a Window
      2. Resizing, Moving, and Closing Windows
      3. Scrolling
    10. Dialog Boxes
    11. Properties
    12. Transferring Data
      1. Cut, Copy, and Paste
      2. Drag-and-Drop
      3. Intermediate Formats
      4. Import/Export
      5. OLE
  5. 2. The Desktop
    1. Exploring the Start Menu
    2. Using the Start Menu
      1. Adding Items to the Start Menu
      2. Modifying the All Programs Menu
      3. Managing All Programs Items with Folders
    3. Customizing the Start Menu
    4. Exploring the Taskbar
    5. Managing Windows by Using the Taskbar
    6. Customizing the Taskbar
    7. Using the Notification Area
    8. Adding Toolbars to the Taskbar
    9. Using the Quick Launch Toolbar
    10. Using the Sidebar
    11. Managing Shortcuts
    12. Tidying Your Desktop
  6. 3. Getting Help
    1. Starting Help and Support
    2. Browsing Help and Support
    3. Searching Help and Support
    4. Getting Help on the Web
    5. Capturing Screen Images
    6. Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer Remotely
  7. 4. Personalizing Your Work Environment
    1. Using Control Panel
    2. Setting the Window Color and Color Scheme
    3. Setting the Desktop Background
    4. Setting the Screen Saver
    5. Setting the Desktop Theme
    6. Configuring the Monitor
    7. Configuring the Mouse
    8. Configuring the Keyboard
    9. Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
    10. Setting the Date and Time
    11. Localizing Your System
    12. Accommodating Disabled Users
    13. Using Speech Recognition
    14. Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
    15. Conserving Power
    16. Managing Fonts
    17. Managing Visual Effects and Performance
    18. Restoring the Old Windows Look
    19. Getting General System Information
  8. 5. Organizing Files and Folders
    1. Exploring Your Computer
    2. Storing Stuff in Your Personal Folder
    3. Using Windows Explorer
    4. Navigating in Windows Explorer
      1. Address Bar
      2. Navigation Pane
    5. Tagging Files
    6. Filtering, Sorting, Stacking, and Grouping Files
    7. Customizing a Folder
    8. Setting Folder Options
    9. Creating Folders
    10. Naming Files and Folders
    11. Moving and Copying Files and Folders
    12. Sending Files and Folders
    13. Deleting Files and Folders
    14. Compressing Files and Folders
      1. NTFS Compression
      2. Zipped Folders
    15. Searching for Files and Folders
      1. From the Start Menu
      2. From Control Panel
      3. From a Folder Window
      4. From a Search Folder
      5. Advanced Searches
      6. Natural-Language Search
      7. Indexes
    16. Saving Searches
    17. Burning CDs and DVDs
    18. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  9. 6. Installing and Running Programs
    1. Installing Programs
    2. Removing Programs
    3. Turning Windows Features On or Off
    4. Launching Programs
    5. Launching Programs Automatically
    6. Running Older Programs
    7. Switching Programs
    8. Exiting Programs
    9. Killing Unresponsive Programs
    10. Using the Free Utility Programs
      1. Calculator
      2. Character Map
      3. Command Prompt
      4. Connect to a Network Projector
      5. Games
      6. Meeting Space
      7. Notepad
      8. Paint
      9. Windows Ultimate Extras
      10. WordPad
    11. Saving Documents
    12. Opening Documents
    13. Associating Documents with Programs
  10. 7. Printing, Scanning, and Faxing
    1. Installing a Printer
    2. Sharing a Network Printer
    3. Setting Printer Properties
    4. Printing Documents
    5. Controlling Printouts
    6. Scanning and Faxing
  11. 8. Setting up Hardware
    1. Connecting Devices to Your Computer
      1. External Devices
      2. Internal Devices
    2. Installing a New Device
    3. Setting up Bluetooth Devices
    4. Managing Device Drivers
  12. 9. Digital Photos
    1. Importing Photos to Your Computer
    2. Getting Started with Windows Photo Gallery
    3. Viewing Photos
    4. Finding Photos
    5. Touching up Photos
    6. Printing Photos
    7. Ordering Prints Online
    8. Emailing Photos
    9. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  13. 10. Windows Media Player
    1. Getting Started with Media Player
    2. Playing Music CDs
    3. Customizing the Now Playing Tab
    4. Viewing Visualizations
    5. Changing Player Appearance with Skins
    6. Shopping Online
    7. Listening to Radio Stations
    8. Ripping CDs to Your Hard Drive
    9. Organizing Your Library
    10. Working with Playlists
    11. Burning Music CDs
    12. Playing DVDs
    13. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  14. 11. Windows Movie Maker
    1. Getting Started with Movie Maker
    2. Importing Content
    3. Organizing Your Clips
    4. Creating a Project
    5. Editing a Project
    6. Editing Clips
    7. Adding Visual Content
    8. Adding Audio Tracks
    9. Publishing a Movie
  15. 12. Connecting to the Internet
    1. Understanding Connection Types
      1. Dial-up
      2. Broadband
      3. Wireless
      4. Other Connection Types
    2. Connecting to the Internet
  16. 13. Security and Privacy
    1. Checking Your Security Status
    2. Using a Firewall
    3. Updating Windows
    4. Defending Against Viruses and Spyware
      1. Viruses
      2. Spyware
    5. Setting Parental Controls
    6. Encrypting Data
  17. 14. Internet Explorer
    1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer
    2. Navigating the Web
    3. Using Tabs
    4. Bookmarking Pages
    5. Blocking Pop-Up Windows
    6. Browsing Tips
  18. 15. Email, Contacts, and Calendars
    1. Getting Started with Windows Mail
    2. Setting up an Email Account
    3. Sending Email
    4. Reading Email
    5. Receiving Attachments
    6. Applying Message Rules
    7. Using Newsgroups
    8. Managing Your Contacts
    9. Creating a Personal Calendar
  19. 16. Windows Live Messenger
    1. Setting up Messenger
    2. Signing in to Messenger
    3. Creating a Contacts List
    4. Using Messenger
  20. 17. Managing User Accounts
    1. Setting up User Accounts
    2. Using User Account Control
    3. Managing User Profiles
  21. 18. Setting up a Small Network
    1. Understanding Network Types
      1. Ethernet (802.3)
      2. Wireless (802.11)
      3. Telephone Lines (HomePNA)
      4. Electrical Outlets (HomePlug)
      5. IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
      6. Crossover Cable
    2. Sharing an Internet Connection
    3. Setting up a Network
    4. Managing a Network
    5. Sharing Files
      1. The Public Folder
      2. Any-folder Sharing
  22. 19. Working Remotely
    1. Dialing Direct
    2. Connecting to a Virtual Private Network Server
    3. Controlling a Computer with Remote Desktop
    4. Making Network Files and Folders Available Offline
    5. Using Laptop Utilities
  23. 20. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
    1. Getting System Information
    2. Managing Tasks
    3. Cleaning up a Disk
    4. Defragmenting a Disk
    5. Checking for Disk Errors
    6. Managing Disks
    7. Scheduling Tasks
    8. Editing the Registry
    9. Reporting and Solving Problems
    10. Boosting Memory
    11. Restoring Your System
    12. Backing up Your Files
    13. Recovering After a Crash
  24. A. Installing Windows Vista
    1. Getting Ready to Install Windows Vista
      1. Check System Requirements
      2. Check System Compatibility
      3. Back Up your Files
      4. Turn Off your Antivirus Program
      5. Connect to the Internet
      6. Plug In and Switch on Devices
      7. Get Network Settings
      8. Find your Product Key
    2. Choosing an Installation Type
    3. Installing Windows Vista
    4. Activating Windows Vista
    5. Transferring Existing Files and Settings