Microsoft Windows Vista, Second Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide

Microsoft Windows Vista, Second Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide

by Chris Fehily
Released April 2008
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780321572967

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Book description

Microsoft's Windows Vista will open up for its users a whole new way of using their PCs. With plenty of screenshots to guide users along the way, respected author Chris Fehily takes readers through Vista's breakthrough capabilities, including its new user interface, Sidebar, Internet Explorer, Media Player, anti-spyware, Mail, SideShow, and photo-sharing capabilities; as well as all the new enhancements included in the Service Pack 1 update. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will deliver improvements and enhancements to the existing Vista features that will significantly impact customers, and this book is the quickest way to mastering them! The updates in Windows Vista SP1 cover quality improvements (reliability, security, and performance), support for emerging hardware and standards, and more. Windows Vista SP1 will include improvements that target some of the most common causes of crashes and hangs, giving users a more consistent experience.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
    1. Dedication
  2. Special Thanks to...
  3. i. Introduction
    1. What Windows Does
    2. The Editions of Windows Vista
    3. Upgrading to Windows Vista
    4. What’s New in Windows Vista
      1. New programs and features
      2. Major updates
      3. Moderate updates
    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
        1. To log on to Windows
      2. Switching users
        1. To switch users without logging off
        2. To find out who else is logged on to your computer
        3. To find out which programs other users are running
      3. Locking your computer
        1. To lock your computer
        2. To unlock your computer
      4. Logging off
        1. To log off
        2. To log off someone else
      5. Turning off your computer
        1. To turn off your computer
        2. To wake a computer from sleep state
    2. Using Welcome Center
      1. To open Welcome Center
    3. Exploring the Windows Interface
    4. The Mouse
      1. To point
      2. To click
      3. To double-click
      4. To right-click
      5. To drag
    5. The Keyboard
      1. To use a keyboard shortcut
      2. To Shift-click
      3. To Shift-drag
    6. Menus
      1. To choose a menu command
      2. To choose a menu command by using the keyboard
      3. Shortcut menus
        1. To choose a shortcut-menu command
        2. To choose a shortcut-menu command by using the keyboard
      4. Menu buttons
      5. Ribbons
    7. Toolbars
    8. Icons
      1. To select an icon
      2. To select multiple icons
      3. To select all icons in a window
      4. To deselect an icon
      5. To move an icon
      6. To open an icon
    9. Windows
      1. Activating a window
        1. To activate a window
      2. Resizing, moving, and closing windows
        1. To resize a window
        2. To maximize a window
        3. To minimize a window
        4. To restore a window
        5. To move a window
        6. To close a window
      3. Scrolling
        1. To scroll a window’s contents
    10. Dialog Boxes
    11. Properties
      1. To display an item’s properties
    12. Transferring Data
      1. Cut, copy, and paste
        1. To cut
        2. To copy
        3. To paste
        4. To undo a cut or paste
      2. Drag-and-drop
      3. Intermediate formats
      4. Import/export
      5. OLE
        1. To insert an OLE object
  5. 2. The Desktop
    1. Exploring the Start Menu
      1. To open the Start menu
      2. To close the Start menu without choosing a command
    2. Using the Start Menu
      1. To choose a Start-menu item
      2. Adding items to the Start menu
        1. To pin an item to the Start menu
        2. To move a pinned item
        3. To remove a pinned item
      3. Modifying the All Programs menu
        1. To turn off All Programs autosorting
        2. To add an item to the All Programs menu
        3. To delete an item from the All Programs menu
        4. To move an item in the All Programs menu
        5. To sort the All Programs menu alphabetically
      4. Managing All Programs items with folders
        1. To add or delete All Programs items
        2. To add an All Programs submenu
    3. Customizing the Start Menu
      1. To rename a Start-menu item
      2. To customize the Start menu
    4. Exploring the Taskbar
    5. Managing Windows by Using the Taskbar
      1. To activate a window
      2. To minimize all windows
      3. To restore minimized windows
      4. To arrange windows on your desktop
    6. Customizing the Taskbar
      1. To customize the taskbar
      2. To move the taskbar
      3. To resize the taskbar
    7. Using the Notification Area
      1. To customize the notification area
    8. Adding Toolbars to the Taskbar
      1. To show or hide taskbar toolbars
      2. To customize a taskbar toolbar
    9. Using the Quick Launch Toolbar
      1. To add a button to Quick Launch
      2. To delete a button from Quick Launch
    10. Using the Sidebar
      1. To open the sidebar
      2. To close the sidebar
      3. To exit the sidebar
      4. To customize the sidebar
      5. To add a gadget
      6. To close a gadget
      7. To place a gadget on the desktop
      8. To customize an individual gadget
    11. Managing Shortcuts
      1. To create a shortcut
      2. To create a shortcut to a webpage
      3. To display system-folder shortcuts on the desktop
      4. To rename a shortcut
      5. To delete a shortcut
      6. To view or change a shortcut’s properties
    12. Tidying Your Desktop
      1. To arrange desktop shortcuts
  6. 3. Getting Help
    1. Starting Help and Support
      1. To start Help and Support
    2. Browsing Help and Support
      1. To use the toolbar
      2. To browse Help by subject
    3. Searching Help and Support
      1. To search for help topics
    4. Getting Help on the Web
    5. Capturing Screen Images
    6. Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer Remotely
      1. To configure Remote Assistance
      2. To get help by using Remote Assistance
  7. 4. Personalizing Your Work Environment
    1. Using Control Panel
      1. To open Control Panel
      2. To open an item in category view
      3. To open an item in classic view
      4. To search for a Control Panel item
      5. To switch Control Panel views
    2. Setting the Window Color
      1. To set the window color
    3. Turning off Aero
      1. To set the interface
    4. Setting the Desktop Background
      1. To set the desktop background
    5. Setting the Screen Saver
      1. To set a screen saver
      2. To use personal pictures as a screen saver
    6. Setting the Desktop Theme
      1. To set a theme
      2. To create a custom theme
      3. To delete a custom theme
    7. Configuring the Monitor
      1. To set screen resolution and color quality
      2. To set the refresh rate
      3. To manage color profiles
    8. Configuring the Mouse
      1. To configure the mouse
    9. Configuring the Keyboard
      1. To configure the keyboard
    10. Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
      1. To control sound volume
      2. To configure playback devices
      3. To configure recording devices
      4. To configure system sounds
    11. Setting the Date and Time
      1. To set the date and time
    12. Localizing Your System
      1. To set formats for numbers, currencies, times, and dates
      2. To set your location
      3. To set the keyboard language
      4. To set the display language
      5. To set the preferred language for older programs
    13. Accommodating Disabled Users
      1. To open Ease of Access Center
      2. To use the Ease of Access questionnaire
      3. To set Ease of Access options individually
    14. Using Speech Recognition
      1. To set up speech recognition for first use
      2. To set speech options
      3. To use speech recognition
      4. To set TTS options
    15. Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
      1. To open items with a single click
    16. Conserving Power
      1. To set a power plan
      2. To set low and critical battery behavior
      3. To create your own power plan
      4. To change an existing power plan
      5. To delete a power plan
      6. To configure system settings for power options
    17. Managing Fonts
      1. To open the Fonts folder
      2. To view or print a font
      3. To install a new font
      4. To remove a font
    18. Managing Visual Effects and Performance
      1. To turn off visual effects
    19. Restoring the Old Windows Look
      1. To switch to the classic Start menu
      2. To switch to classic Control Panel view
      3. To show the menu bar and hide the Details and Preview panes in all folder windows
      4. To browse folders by using a single window
      5. To switch to the classic interface
      6. To show system icons on the desktop
      7. To use earlier versions of desktop icons
      8. To use classic mouse pointers
    20. Getting General System Information
      1. To display general system information
  8. 5. Organizing Files and Folders
    1. Exploring Your Computer
      1. To see what’s on your computer
    2. Storing Stuff in Your Personal Folder
      1. To open your personal folder
    3. Using Windows Explorer
      1. To open Windows Explorer
      2. To open Windows Explorer with a specific folder selected
    4. Navigating in Windows Explorer
      1. Address bar
        1. To click a new location
        2. To type a new location
      2. Navigation pane
        1. To customize the Favorite Links list
        2. To navigate by using the Folders list
    5. Tagging Files
      1. To add or change properties by using the Details pane
      2. To add or change properties that don’t appear in the Details pane
      3. To add or change properties when saving a file
      4. To remove properties
    6. Filtering, Sorting, Stacking, and Grouping Files
      1. To choose which column headings to show
      2. To filter files
      3. To sort files
      4. To stack files
      5. To group files
    7. Customizing a Folder
      1. To customize a folder
    8. Setting Folder Options
      1. To set folder options
    9. Creating Folders
      1. To create a folder
    10. Naming Files and Folders
      1. To rename a file or folder
    11. Moving and Copying Files and Folders
      1. To move or copy items by choosing a destination
      2. To move or copy items by using cut, copy, and paste
      3. To move or copy items by dragging
    12. Sending Files and Folders
      1. To send an item
      2. To add a destination to the Send To menu
    13. Deleting Files and Folders
      1. To delete items
      2. To empty the Recycle Bin
      3. To restore items from the Recycle Bin
      4. To change the Recycle Bin’s capacity
    14. Compressing Files and Folders
      1. NTFS compression
        1. To NTFS-compress a file, folder, or drive
      2. Zipped folders
        1. To create a new zipped folder
        2. To create a new zipped folder from existing files or folders
        3. To add files or folders to a zipped folder
        4. To extract files and folders from a zipped folder
    15. Searching for Files and Folders
      1. From the Start menu
        1. To search from the Start menu
      2. From Control Panel
        1. To search from Control Panel
      3. From a folder window
        1. To search from a folder window
      4. From a Search folder
        1. To search from a Search folder
      5. Advanced searches
      6. Natural-language search
        1. To turn on natural-language search
      7. Indexes
        1. To add or remove index locations
    16. Saving Searches
      1. To save a search
      2. To open a saved search
    17. Burning CDs and DVDs
      1. To burn a disc by using the Live File System (UDF) format
      2. To burn a disc by using the Mastered (ISO) format
      3. To close a disc
      4. To erase all files on a disc
      5. To erase some files on a disc
    18. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  9. 6. Installing and Running Programs
    1. Installing Programs
      1. To install a program from CD or DVD
      2. To install a program from the internet
      3. To install a program from a network
    2. Removing Programs
      1. To uninstall or change a program
    3. Turning Windows Features On or Off
      1. To turn Windows features on or off
    4. Launching Programs
      1. To start a program
    5. Launching Programs Automatically
      1. To open an item each time you start Windows
    6. Running Older Programs
      1. To run a troublesome older program
    7. Switching Programs
      1. To switch among running programs
    8. Exiting Programs
      1. To exit a program
    9. Killing Unresponsive Programs
      1. To kill an unresponsive program
    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
      1. To save a document
    12. Opening Documents
      1. To open a document
    13. Associating Documents with Programs
      1. To show file extensions
      2. To change the program associated with a file extension
  10. 7. Printing, Scanning, and Faxing
    1. Installing a Printer
      1. To install a local printer
      2. To install a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer
    2. Sharing a Network Printer
      1. To share a printer attached to your computer
      2. To use a shared printer
    3. Setting Printer Properties
      1. To change a printer’s default settings
    4. Printing Documents
      1. To print a document
    5. Controlling Printouts
      1. To manage the print queue
    6. Scanning and Faxing
      1. To install a local scanner
      2. To install a network scanner
      3. To scan by using Fax and Scan
      4. To connect to a fax device for the first time
      5. To configure Fax and Scan
      6. To send a fax from Fax and Scan
      7. To send a fax from another program
      8. To receive a fax manually
      9. To manage and view faxes
  11. 8. Setting up Hardware
    1. Connecting Devices to Your Computer
      1. External devices
        1. To connect an external device
      2. Internal devices
        1. To connect an expansion card
    2. Installing a New Device
      1. To install a new device
    3. Setting up Bluetooth Devices
      1. To set up a Bluetooth device
    4. Managing Device Drivers
      1. To open Device Manager
      2. To show a device’s properties
      3. To update a device driver
      4. To roll back a device driver
      5. To uninstall a device
      6. To disable a device
  12. 9. Digital Photos
    1. Importing Photos to Your Computer
      1. To import photos to your computer
      2. To import photos by using Windows Photo Gallery
      3. To configure AutoPlay
    2. Getting Started with Windows Photo Gallery
      1. To open Photo Gallery
      2. To change the default options for Photo Gallery
      3. To open the Pictures folder
      4. To add a folder to Photo Gallery
      5. To add a single photo to Photo Gallery
      6. To remove a folder from Photo Gallery
    3. Viewing Photos
      1. To see all photos
      2. To see the photos in a particular folder
      3. To see a larger preview of a photo thumbnail
    4. Finding Photos
      1. To see information about photos
      2. To find photos by date
      3. To add tags to photos
      4. To find photos by filename, tag, or caption
    5. Touching up Photos
      1. To touch up a photo
    6. Printing Photos
      1. To print photos
    7. Ordering Prints Online
      1. To order prints online
    8. Emailing Photos
      1. To email photos
    9. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  13. 10. Windows Media Player
    1. Getting Started with Media Player
      1. To start Media Player
      2. To use Media Player menus
    2. Playing Music CDs
      1. To play a music CD
      2. To configure AutoPlay
    3. Customizing the Now Playing Tab
      1. To show Now Playing
      2. To show or hide the Now Playing panes
    4. Viewing Visualizations
      1. To view a visualization
    5. Changing Player Appearance with Skins
      1. To apply a skin
      2. To switch modes
    6. Shopping Online
      1. To shop at an online store
    7. Listening to Radio Stations
      1. To listen to an internet radio station
    8. Ripping CDs to Your Hard Drive
      1. To set options for ripping CDs
      2. To rip tracks from a music CD
      3. To add or edit media information after ripping
    9. Organizing Your Library
      1. To show the library
      2. To change the library display
      3. To add or edit media information (tags) manually
      4. To add items to your library
      5. To delete items from your library
      6. To search for items in your library
    10. Working with Playlists
      1. To create a regular playlist
      2. To edit a regular playlist
      3. To create an auto playlist
    11. Burning Music CDs
      1. To burn a music CD
    12. Playing DVDs
      1. To play a DVD
    13. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  14. 11. Windows Movie Maker
    1. Getting Started with Movie Maker
      1. To start Movie Maker
    2. Importing Content
      1. To import digital video
      2. To import existing video, audio, and pictures
    3. Organizing Your Clips
      1. To create a collection
      2. To arrange clips
    4. Creating a Project
      1. To create a new project
      2. To view a project’s properties
    5. Editing a Project
      1. To switch between storyboard and timeline view
      2. To add a clip to a project
      3. To preview a project or clip
      4. To create a movie automatically
    6. Editing Clips
      1. To split a clip
      2. To combine a split clip
      3. To trim a clip
    7. Adding Visual Content
      1. To add a transition
      2. To add an effect
      3. To add a title or credit
    8. Adding Audio Tracks
      1. To add audio
      2. To narrate the timeline
    9. Publishing a Movie
      1. To publish 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
      1. To connect to the internet
      2. To set up a static IP connection
  16. 13. Security and Privacy
    1. Checking Your Security Status
      1. To open Security Center
      2. To turn on or off Security Center alerts
    2. Using a Firewall
      1. To turn on or off Windows Firewall
      2. To configure programs and ports
    3. Updating Windows
      1. To set up Windows Update
    4. Defending Against Viruses and Spyware
      1. Viruses
      2. Spyware
        1. To open Windows Defender
        2. To turn Windows Defender on or off
        3. To run a scan
        4. To set Windows Defender options
    5. Setting Parental Controls
      1. To set up Parental Controls
    6. Encrypting Data
      1. To encrypt a file or folder
    7. Encrypting Drives
      1. To turn on BitLocker
      2. To turn off BitLocker
  17. 14. Internet Explorer
    1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer
      1. To start Internet Explorer
    2. Navigating the Web
      1. To visit a webpage by typing a URL
      2. To visit a webpage via navigation buttons or links
      3. To search for a webpage
      4. To move around a webpage
    3. Using Tabs
      1. To open a tab
      2. To close a tab
      3. To save a group of tabs
      4. To open a saved group of tabs
      5. To see all open tabs at the same time
      6. To configure tabbed browsing
    4. Bookmarking Pages
      1. To add a page to your Favorites list
      2. To add a page to your Links bar
      3. To set your home page
    5. Blocking Pop-Up Windows
      1. To block pop-up windows
      2. To see a blocked pop-up
      3. To allow pop-ups from a specific website
    6. Browsing Tips
  18. 15. Email, Contacts, and Calendars
    1. Getting Started with Windows Mail
      1. To start Windows Mail
    2. Setting up an Email Account
      1. To set up an email account
    3. Sending Email
      1. To compose and send a message
    4. Reading Email
      1. To check now for new messages
      2. To read messages
      3. To print a message
      4. To delete a message
      5. To reply to a message
      6. To forward a message
      7. To find a message
    5. Receiving Attachments
      1. To open an attachment
      2. To save an attachment
      3. To unblock and open a blocked attachment
    6. Applying Message Rules
      1. To set up message rules
    7. Using Newsgroups
      1. To set up and use a newsgroup account
    8. Managing Your Contacts
      1. To open Windows Contacts
      2. To add a contact
    9. Creating a Personal Calendar
      1. To open Windows Calendar
  19. 16. Windows Live Messenger
    1. Setting up Messenger
      1. To download and install Windows Live Messenger
    2. Signing in to Messenger
      1. To open Messenger and sign in
      2. To sign out
    3. Creating a Contacts List
      1. To add a contact
    4. Using Messenger
  20. 17. Managing User Accounts
    1. Setting up User Accounts
      1. To open User Accounts
      2. To create an account
      3. To edit an account
      4. To create a password reset disk
      5. To delete an account
    2. Using User Account Control
    3. Managing User Profiles
      1. To change the default user profile
  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
      1. To set up a network
      2. To rename a computer, join an existing workgroup, or create a new workgroup
    4. Managing a Network
      1. To open Network and Sharing Center
      2. To see the current status of a network connection
      3. To change the network location
      4. To configure the network connection settings
      5. To disconnect from a network
    5. Sharing Files
      1. The Public folder
        1. To open the Public folder
      2. Any-folder sharing
        1. To share files from any folder on your computer
  22. 19. Working Remotely
    1. Dialing Direct
      1. To set up a dial-up connection
    2. Connecting to a Virtual Private Network Server
      1. To set up a VPN connection
    3. Controlling a Computer with Remote Desktop
      1. To set up a remote computer
      2. To connect to a remote desktop
    4. Making Network Files and Folders Available Offline
      1. To turn on offline files
      2. To make a file or folder available offline
    5. Using Laptop Utilities
  23. 20. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
    1. Getting System Information
      1. To display system data
    2. Managing Tasks
      1. To start Task Manager
    3. Cleaning up a Disk
      1. To remove unneeded files
    4. Defragmenting a Disk
      1. To defragment a disk
    5. Checking for Disk Errors
      1. To detect and repair disk errors
    6. Managing Disks
      1. To open Disk Management
    7. Scheduling Tasks
      1. To schedule a task
    8. Editing the Registry
      1. To edit the registry
    9. Reporting and Solving Problems
      1. To check online for solutions
    10. Boosting Memory
      1. To use flash memory to speed your computer
    11. Restoring Your System
      1. To configure System Restore
      2. To restore system files and settings
    12. Backing up Your Files
      1. To back up files
      2. To restore backed-up files
    13. Recovering After a Crash
      1. To choose a boot option
  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
      1. To upgrade to Windows Vista
      2. To do a clean install or a dual-boot install
    4. Activating Windows Vista
    5. Transferring Existing Files and Settings
      1. To save files and settings from your old copy of Windows
      2. To import files and settings to your new copy of Vista
    6. Installing Service Packs
      1. Before you install
      2. Service Pack 1

Product information

  • Title: Microsoft Windows Vista, Second Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide
  • Author(s): Chris Fehily
  • Release date: April 2008
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: 9780321572967