Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Unleashed

Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Unleashed

by Paul McFedries
Released December 2006
Publisher(s): Sams
ISBN: 9780672328947

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Book description

A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 067233013X ISBN-13: 9780672330131

Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Unleashed

Paul McFedries

Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Unleashed is a book for people, like you, who don’t consider themselves to be “average users.” It’s a book for anyone who finds that doing things the official way is slower, less efficient, and less powerful because Windows Vista was designed from the ground up to avoid confusing novice users. The result is default settings that restrict flexibility, interminable wizards that turn two-step tasks into twelve-step sagas, and the hiding of powerful and useful programs behind layers of menus and dialog boxes. To unleash the potential of Windows Vista, you need a different approach that blows away Vista’s novice features and scorns the standard way of doing things.

This book goes beyond the standard-issue techniques sanctioned by Microsoft and parroted in other Windows Vista books. Instead, this book offers shortcuts for boosting your productivity, customizations for making Windows Vista work the way you do, workarounds for known Windows Vista problems, and warnings for avoiding Windows Vista pitfalls. Along the way, you’ll learn about all kinds of insider details, undocumented features, powerful tools, and background facts that help put everything into perspective.

  • Learn what’s new in Windows Vista

  • Customize Windows Vista startup

  • Troubleshoot software and hardware problems

  • Tune Windows Vista’s performance

  • Automate Windows Vista with powerful and flexible scripts

  • Implement Internet security and privacy features

  • Configure and administer a small network

  • Get the most out of Control Panel, group policies, the Registry, Device Manager, and other powerful tools

  • Set up a complete maintenance program to keep Windows Vista running smoothly

  • Discover a complete list of Windows Vista shortcut keys, a detailed look at the Command Prompt, and a batch file primer

  • Master the new desktop search engine and learn how to group, stack, and filter files

  • Understand and work with Windows Vista’s User Account Control security feature

  • Get the most out of your Tablet PC

  • Take advantage of new Internet features such as RSS feeds, multiple home pages, and tabbed browsing

    • Paul McFedries is the president of Logophilia Limited, a technical writing company. He has been working with computers for more than 30 years and has been using Microsoft Windows since version 1. Paul has written more than 50 books that have sold over three million copies worldwide.

    Category: Microsoft Operating Systems

    Covers: Microsoft Windows Vista

    User Level: Intermediate–Advanced

    www.samspublishing.com

    $49.99 USA / $61.99 CAN / £35.99 Net UK

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. About the Author
    3. Acknowledgments Kudos, Plaudits, and Assorted Pats on the Back
      1. We Want to Hear from You!
      2. Reader Services
    4. Introduction
      1. Who Should Read This Book
      2. How This Book Is Organized
        1. Part I: Unleashing Day-to-Day Windows Vista
        2. Part II: Unleashing Essential Windows Vista Power Tools
        3. Part III: Unleashing Windows Vista Customization and Optimization
        4. Part IV: Unleashing Windows Vista for the Internet
        5. Part V: Unleashing Windows Vista Networking
        6. Part VI: Appendixes
      3. Conventions Used in This Book
    5. I. Unleashing Day-to-Day Windows Vista
      1. 1. An Overview of Windows Vista
        1. The Development of Windows Vista
          1. “Vista” Unveiled
          2. What’s Not in Windows Vista
        2. Windows Vista System Requirements
          1. Processor Requirements
          2. Memory Requirements
          3. Storage Requirements
          4. Graphics Requirements
          5. Hardware Requirements for Various Vista Features
        3. Windows Vista Editions
        4. Windows Anytime Upgrade
        5. New Interface Features
        6. What’s New Under the Hood
          1. Support for Document Metadata
          2. Performance Improvements
          3. Stability Improvements
          4. Security Enhancements
          5. Windows Presentation Foundation
          6. Desktop Window Manager
          7. Improved Graphics
          8. Transactional NTFS
          9. XML Paper Specification
        7. New and Improved Programs and Tools
          1. Welcome Center
          2. Control Panel
          3. Internet Explorer 7
          4. Windows Mail
          5. Windows Calendar
          6. Media Player
          7. Media Center
          8. Windows Photo Gallery
          9. DVD Burning and Authoring
          10. Per-Application Volume Control
          11. Sound Recorder
          12. Windows Easy Transfer
          13. Windows Backup
          14. The Game Explorer
          15. Mobility Center
          16. Network Center
          17. Network Map
          18. Windows Collaboration
        8. From Here
      2. 2. Customizing and Troubleshooting the Windows Vista Startup
        1. The Boot Process, from Power Up to Startup
        2. Custom Startups Using the Boot Configuration Data
          1. Using Startup and Recovery to Modify the BCD
          2. Using the System Configuration Utility to Modify the BCD
          3. Using BCDEDIT to Customize the Startup Options
            1. Making a Backup Copy of the BCD Store
            2. Renaming an Entry
            3. Changing the Order of the Entries
        3. Custom Startups with the Advanced Options Menu
        4. Useful Windows Vista Logon Strategies
          1. Requiring Ctrl+Alt+Delete at Startup
          2. Logging On to a Domain
          3. Accessing the Administrator Account
          4. Setting Up an Automatic Logon
          5. Disabling Automatic Logon Override
        5. Troubleshooting Windows Vista Startup
          1. When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options
          2. What to Do If Windows Vista Won’t Start in Safe Mode
          3. Recovering Using the System Recovery Options
          4. Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility
          5. What to Do If Windows Vista Still Won’t Start
        6. From Here
      3. 3. Exploring Expert File and Folder Techniques
        1. Navigating Vista’s New Folder Windows
          1. Folder Navigation
          2. Instant Search
          3. The Task Pane
          4. The Details Pane
          5. The Preview Pane
          6. The Navigation Pane
          7. Live Folder Icons
        2. Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros
          1. Selecting Files with Check Boxes
          2. Resolving File Transfer Conflicts
          3. Expert Drag-and-Drop Techniques
          4. Taking Advantage of the Send To Command
          5. The Recycle Bin: Deleting and Recovering Files and Folders
            1. Setting Some Recycle Bin Options
            2. Recovering a File or Folder
          6. File Maintenance Using the Open and Save As Dialog Boxes
        3. Metadata and the Windows Explorer Property System
        4. Desktop Searching with the Windows Search Engine
          1. As-You-Type Searches with Instant Search
          2. Advanced Searches
          3. Saving Searches
        5. Grouping, Stacking, and Filtering with Metadata
          1. Grouping Files
          2. Stacking Files
          3. Filtering Files
        6. Shadow Copies and Transactional NTFS
          1. Reverting to a Previous Version of a Volume, Folder, or File
        7. Customizing Windows Explorer
          1. Changing the View
          2. Viewing More Properties
          3. Running Explorer in Full-Screen Mode
          4. Exploring the View Options
          5. Moving User Folders
        8. From Here
      4. 4. Mastering File Types
        1. Understanding File Types
          1. File Types and File Extensions
          2. File Types and the Registry
        2. Working with Existing File Types
          1. Setting the Default Action
          2. Creating a New File Type Action
          3. Example: Opening the Command Prompt in the Current Folder
          4. Hiding a File Type’s Extension
          5. Associating an Extension with a Different Application
          6. Associating an Application with Multiple File Types
        3. Creating a New File Type
        4. Associating Two or More Extensions with a Single File Type
        5. Customizing the New Menu
          1. Adding File Types to the New Menu
          2. Deleting File Types from the New Menu
        6. Customizing Windows Vista’s Open with List
          1. Opening a Document with an Unassociated Application
          2. How the Open with Feature Works
          3. Removing an Application from a File Type’s Open with Menu
          4. Removing a Program from the Open with List
          5. Adding a Program to the Open with List
          6. Disabling the Open with Check Box
        7. From Here
      5. 5. Installing and Running Applications
        1. Practicing Safe Setups
          1. User Account Control and Installing Programs
          2. Running Through a Pre-Installation Checklist
            1. Check for Vista Compatibility
            2. Set a Restore Point
            3. Read Readme.txt and Other Documentation
            4. Virus-Check Downloaded Files
            5. Understand the Effect on Your Data Files
            6. Use the Add or Remove Programs Feature
            7. Save Directory Listings for Important Folders
            8. Take Control of the Installation
          3. Installing the Application
        2. Applications and the Registry
          1. Program Settings
          2. User Settings
          3. File Types
          4. Application-Specific Paths
        3. Launching Applications
          1. Controlling AutoRun Behavior for Programs
          2. Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup
            1. Using the Startup Folder
            2. Using the Registry
            3. Using Group Policies
              1. Adding Programs to the Run Keys
              2. Specifying Startup and Logon Scripts
            4. Using the Task Scheduler
          3. Running a Program with the Administrator Account
          4. Creating Application-Specific Paths
          5. Controlling Startup Programs with Windows Defender
        4. Understanding Application Compatibility
          1. Determining Whether a Program Is Compatible with Windows Vista
          2. Understanding Compatibility Mode
          3. Scripting Compatibility Layers
        5. From Here
      6. 6. Getting the Most Out of User Accounts
        1. Understanding Security Groups
        2. User Account Control: Smarter User Privileges
          1. Elevating Privileges
          2. File and Registry Virtualization
          3. User Account Control Policies
        3. Creating and Managing User Accounts
        4. Working with the User Accounts Dialog Box
          1. Adding a New User
          2. Performing Other User Tasks
        5. Working with the Local Users and Groups Snap-In
        6. Setting Account Policies
          1. Setting Account Security Policies
          2. Setting User Rights Policies
          3. Setting Account Lockout Policies
        7. Working with Users and Groups from the Command Line
          1. The NET USER Command
          2. The NET LOCALGROUP Command
        8. Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords
          1. Creating a Strong Password
          2. User Account Password Options
          3. Taking Advantage of Windows Vista’s Password Policies
          4. Recovering from a Forgotten Password
        9. Sharing Files with Other Users
        10. Using Parental Controls to Restrict Computer Usage
          1. Activating Parental Controls and Activity Reporting
          2. Example: Setting Up Parental Controls for Games
            1. Turn Off Game Play
            2. Controlling Games via Ratings and Descriptors
            3. Blocking and Allowing Specific Games
        11. Sharing Your Computer Securely
        12. From Here
      7. 7. Working with Digital Media
        1. Setting AutoPlay Defaults
        2. Digital Audio in Windows Vista
          1. Per-Application Volume Control
          2. Sound Recorder
          3. Audio Devices and Sound Themes
        3. Using Windows Photo Gallery
          1. Grouping Images
          2. Image Metadata and Tagging
          3. Searching Images with Instant Search
          4. Editing an Image
          5. More Tools
        4. Easy Listening in Windows Media Player 11
          1. Navigating the Library
          2. Album Art and the WMP Interface
          3. Grouping and Stacking Media
          4. Media Metadata and Tagging
          5. Instant Search
          6. Syncing with Media Devices
          7. Media Sharing
        5. Tips for Working with Windows Media Player
          1. Playing Media Files
          2. Setting Windows Media Player’s Playback Options
          3. Copying Music from an Audio CD
            1. Selecting a Location and Filename Structure
            2. Choosing the Recording File Format
            3. Specifying the Quality of the Recording
            4. Copying Tracks from an Audio CD
          4. Copying Tracks to a Recordable CD or Device
            1. Creating a Playlist
            2. Recording to a CD or Device
        6. From Here
      8. 8. Vista’s Tools for Business: Contacts, Calendar, and Faxing
        1. Managing Your Contacts
          1. Creating a New Contact
            1. Creating a Contact from a Windows Mail Message
            2. Creating a Contact from Scratch
            3. Importing Contacts
            4. Creating a Contact Group
          2. Communicating with a Contact
          3. Working with Contacts
            1. Changing a Contact’s Picture
            2. Filling In Your Own Contact Data
            3. Sending Your Contact Data as an Electronic Business Card
        2. Scheduling with Windows Calendar
          1. Navigating Dates
          2. Changing the Calendar View
          3. Scheduling an Appointment
            1. Creating an Appointment
            2. Creating a Recurring Appointment
            3. Adding a Reminder
            4. Inviting Attendees
            5. Creating an All-Day Event
            6. Creating a Task
          4. Working with Multiple Calendars
          5. Importing Calendar Files
          6. Sharing Calendars
            1. Publishing Your Calendar
            2. Subscribing to a Calendar
            3. Working with Shared Calendars
        3. Sending and Receiving Faxes
          1. Starting Windows Fax and Scan
          2. Creating a Fax Account
          3. Entering Some Personal Data
          4. Sending a Fax
            1. Specifying Send Options
            2. Sending a Cover Page Fax
            3. Faxing a Document
          5. Working with Fax Cover Pages
            1. Working with Personal Fax Cover Pages
              1. Creating a Personal Cover Page from Scratch
              2. Modifying a Copy of a Common Cover Page
            2. Editing a Cover Page
              1. Inserting Information Fields
              2. Inserting Text Fields
              3. Inserting Graphics Fields
          6. Receiving Faxes
            1. Specifying Receive Options
            2. Answering Incoming Calls
              1. Answering Calls Automatically
              2. Answering Calls Manually
            3. Working with Received Faxes
        4. From Here
      9. 9. Mobile Computing in Windows Vista
        1. Accessing Notebook Features with the Mobile PC Control Panel
        2. Monitoring Your Notebook with the Windows Mobility Center
        3. Managing Notebook Power
          1. Monitoring Battery Life
          2. Specifying a Power Plan
          3. Creating a Custom Power Plan
            1. Creating Your Own Power Plan
            2. Customizing an Existing Power Plan
          4. Configuring Your Notebook’s Power Buttons
        4. Attaching an External Monitor
        5. Configuring Presentation Settings
        6. Understanding Windows SideShow
        7. Getting the Most Out of Your Tablet PC
          1. Changing the Screen Orientation
          2. Setting Tablet PC Options
          3. Working with the Tablet PC Input Panel
          4. Using Pen Flicks
          5. Setting Pointer Options
          6. Personalizing Handwriting Recognition
          7. Using the Snipping Tool
        8. From Here
    6. II . Unleashing Essential Windows Vista Power Tools
      1. 10. Using Control Panel and Group Policies
        1. Operating Control Panel
          1. Reviewing the Control Panel Icons
          2. Understanding Control Panel Files
          3. Easier Access to Control Panel
            1. Alternative Methods for Opening Control Panel Icons
            2. Putting Control Panel on the Start Menu
        2. Implementing Group Policies with Windows Vista
          1. Working with Group Policies
          2. Example: Controlling Access to Control Panel
        3. From Here
      2. 11. Getting to Know the Windows Vista Registry
        1. A Synopsis of the Registry
          1. A Brief History of Configuration Files
          2. The Registry Puts an End to INI Chaos
        2. Understanding the Registry Files
          1. Navigating the Keys Pane
          2. Understanding Registry Settings
          3. Getting to Know the Registry’s Root Keys
            1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
            2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER
            3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
            4. HKEY_USERS
            5. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
          4. Understanding Hives and Registry Files
        3. Keeping the Registry Safe
          1. Backing Up the Registry
          2. Saving the Current Registry State with System Restore
          3. Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk
            1. Exporting the Entire Registry a .reg File
            2. Exporting a Key to a .reg File
            3. Importing a .reg File
        4. Working with Registry Entries
          1. Changing the Value of a Registry Entry
            1. Editing a String Value
            2. Editing a DWORD or QWORD Value
            3. Editing a Binary Value
            4. Editing a .reg File
            5. Creating a .reg File
          2. Renaming a Key or Setting
          3. Creating a New Key or Setting
          4. Deleting a Key or Setting
        5. Finding Registry Entries
        6. From Here
      3. 12. Programming the Windows Script Host
        1. WSH: Your Host for Today’s Script
        2. Scripts and Script Execution
          1. Running Script Files Directly
          2. Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts
          3. Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts
          4. Script Properties and .wsh Files
        3. Programming Objects
          1. Working with Object Properties
            1. Setting the Value of a Property
            2. Returning the Value of a Property
          2. Working with Object Methods
          3. Assigning an Object to a Variable
          4. Working with Object Collections
            1. VBScript: Using For Each...Next Loops for Collections
            2. JavaScript: Using Enumerators and for Loops for Collections
        4. Programming the WScript Object
          1. Displaying Text to the User
          2. Shutting Down a Script
          3. Scripting and Automation
            1. Creating an Automation Object with the CreateObject Method
            2. Working with an Existing Object Using the GetObject Method
            3. Exposing VBScript and JavaScript Objects
            4. Programming the FileSystemObject
        5. Programming the WshShell Object
          1. Referencing the WshShell Object
          2. Displaying Information to the User
            1. Setting the Style of the Message
            2. Getting Return Values from the Message Dialog Box
          3. Running Applications
          4. Working with Shortcuts
            1. Creating a Shortcut
            2. Programming the WshShortcut Object
          5. Working with Registry Entries
            1. Reading Settings from the Registry
            2. Storing Settings in the Registry
            3. Deleting Settings from the Registry
          6. Working with Environment Variables
        6. Programming the WshNetwork Object
          1. Referencing the WshNetwork Object
          2. WshNetwork Object Properties
          3. Mapping Network Printers
          4. Mapping Network Drives
        7. Example: Scripting Internet Explorer
          1. Displaying a Web Page
          2. Navigating Pages
          3. Using the InternetExplorer Object’s Properties
          4. Running Through a Sample Script
        8. From Here
    7. III. Unleashing Windows Vista Customization and Optimization
      1. 13. Customizing the Windows Vista Interface
        1. Customizing the Start Menu for Easier Program and Document Launching
          1. Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu
          2. Clearing the Recent Programs List
          3. Customizing the Internet and E-mail Icons
          4. Setting Program Access and Defaults
          5. Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu
          6. Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus
          7. Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons
            1. Dragging and Dropping onto the Start Button
            2. Working with the Start Menu Folder
            3. Working with All Programs Menu Shortcuts Directly
        2. Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching
          1. Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars
          2. Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options
          3. Creating New Taskbar Toolbars
          4. Improving Productivity by Setting Taskbar Options
          5. Displaying Multiple Clocks for Different Time Zones
        3. Controlling Taskbar Grouping
        4. Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies
        5. Using Screen Space Efficiently
        6. From Here
      2. 14. Tuning Windows Vista’s Performance
        1. Vista’s Performance Improvements
          1. Faster Startup
          2. Sleep Mode: The Best of Both Worlds
          3. SuperFetch with ReadyBoost: The Faster Fetcher
          4. Restart Manager
        2. Monitoring Performance
          1. Viewing Your Computer’s Performance Rating
          2. Monitoring Performance with Task Manager
          3. Using the Reliability and Performance Monitor
            1. Performance Monitor
            2. Data Collector Sets
            3. Reports
        3. Optimizing Startup
          1. Reducing or Eliminating BIOS Checks
          2. Reducing the OS Choices Menu Timeout
          3. Turning Off the Startup Splash Screen
          4. Upgrading Your Device Drivers
          5. Using an Automatic Logon
          6. Configuring the Prefetcher
        4. Optimizing Applications
          1. Adding More Memory
          2. Installing to the Fastest Hard Drive
          3. Optimizing Application Launching
          4. Getting the Latest Device Drivers
          5. Optimizing Windows Vista for Programs
          6. Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager
        5. Optimizing the Hard Disk
          1. Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications
          2. Performing Hard Drive Maintenance
          3. Disabling Compression and Encryption
          4. Turning Off the Indexer
          5. Enabling Write Caching
          6. Converting FAT16 and FAT32 Partitions to NTFS
          7. Turning Off 8.3 Filename Creation
          8. Disabling Last Access Timestamp
        6. Optimizing Virtual Memory
          1. Storing the Page File Optimally
          2. Splitting the Page File
          3. Customizing the Page File Size
          4. Watching the Page File Size
          5. Changing the Paging File’s Location and Size
        7. From Here
      3. 15. Maintaining Your Windows Vista System
        1. Vista’s Stability Improvements
          1. I/O Cancellation
          2. Reliability Monitor
          3. Service Recovery
          4. Startup Repair Tool
        2. Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors
          1. Understanding Clusters
            1. Understanding Lost Clusters
            2. Understanding Invalid Clusters
            3. Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters
          2. Understanding Cycles
          3. Running the Check Disk GUI
          4. Running Check Disk from the Command Line
        3. Checking Free Disk Space
        4. Deleting Unnecessary Files
        5. Defragmenting Your Hard Disk
          1. Running the Disk Defragmenter Tool
          2. Changing the Disk Defragmenter Schedule
          3. Defragmenting from the Command Line
        6. Setting System Restore Points
        7. Backing Up Your Files
          1. Configuring Automatic File Backups
          2. Creating a System Image Backup
        8. Checking for Updates and Security Patches
          1. Checking the Windows Update Website
          2. Checking for Security Vulnerabilities
        9. Reviewing Event Viewer Logs
        10. Setting Up a 10-Step Maintenance Schedule
        11. From Here
      4. 16. Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems
        1. Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem
          1. Did You Get an Error Message?
          2. Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?
          3. Does an Error Appear in System Information?
          4. Did You Recently Edit the Registry?
          5. Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?
          6. Did Windows Vista “Spontaneously” Reboot?
          7. Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?
          8. Did You Recently Install a New Program?
          9. Did You Recently Install a New Device?
          10. Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?
          11. Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?
        2. General Troubleshooting Tips
        3. More Troubleshooting Tools
          1. Understanding Disk Diagnostics
          2. Understanding Resource Exhaustion Detection
          3. Running the Memory Diagnostics Tool
          4. Checking for Solutions to Problems
        4. Troubleshooting Using Online Resources
        5. Recovering from a Problem
          1. Booting Using the Last Known Good Configuration
          2. Recovering Using System Restore
          3. Recovering Using the System Recovery Options
        6. From Here
      5. 17. Getting the Most Out of Device Manager
        1. Tips and Techniques for Installing Devices
          1. Installing Plug and Play Devices
          2. Installing Legacy Devices
          3. Controlling Driver Signing Options
        2. Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager
          1. Controlling the Device Display
          2. Viewing Device Properties
          3. Working with Device Drivers
            1. Checking Windows Update for Drivers
            2. Updating a Device Driver
            3. Rolling Back a Device Driver
          4. Uninstalling a Device
        3. Working with Device Security Policies
        4. Troubleshooting Device Problems
          1. Troubleshooting with Device Manager
          2. Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems
          3. Tips for Downloading Device Drivers
          4. Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts
        5. From Here
    8. IV. Unleashing Windows Vista for the Internet
      1. 18. Exploring the Web with Internet Explorer
        1. Understanding Web Page Addresses
        2. Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing
          1. Taking Advantage of the Address Bar
          2. Creating a Shortcut to a URL
          3. Working with Tabs
            1. Opening a Page in a New Tab
            2. Navigating Tabs
            3. Working with Quick Tabs
          4. Using the Handy History List
        3. Searching the Web
          1. Adding More Search Engines
          2. Setting Up Other Search Engines for Address Bar Searching
        4. The Favorites Folder: Sites to Remember
          1. Adding a Shortcut to the Favorites Folder
          2. Opening an Internet Shortcut from the Favorites Folder
          3. Maintaining Favorites
          4. Sharing Favorites with Other Browsers
        5. Working with RSS Feeds
          1. Subscribing to a Feed
          2. Reading Feeds
          3. Setting the Feed Update Schedule
        6. Customizing Internet Explorer
          1. Customizing the Links Bar for One-Click Surfing
          2. Controlling the Web Page Cache
          3. Setting Internet Explorer Options
          4. Changing the Home Page
          5. Configuring the Page History
          6. Setting More General Options
          7. Understanding Internet Explorer’s Advanced Options
        7. From Here
      2. 19. Communicating with Windows Mail
        1. Setting Up Mail Accounts
          1. Specifying Basic Account Settings
          2. Setting the Default Account
          3. Specifying Advanced Account Settings
            1. Using a Different Reply Address
            2. Enabling SMTP Authentication
            3. Specifying a Different SMTP Port
            4. Checking the Same Account from Two Different Computers
        2. Handling Incoming Messages
          1. Processing Messages
          2. Customizing the Message Columns
          3. Setting Read Options
        3. Sending Messages
          1. Taking Control of Your Messages
          2. Creating a Signature
          3. Creating an Email Shortcut for a Recipient
          4. Setting Send Options
        4. Maintaining Windows Mail
        5. Filtering Incoming Messages
        6. Finding a Message
          1. Simple Searches
          2. Advanced Searches
        7. From Here
      3. 20. Participating in Internet Newsgroups
        1. Some Usenet Basics
          1. Figuring Out Newsgroup Names
          2. Understanding Articles and Threads
          3. Practicing Newsgroup Etiquette
        2. Setting Up a News Account
        3. Working with Newsgroups in Windows Mail
          1. Subscribing to a Newsgroup
          2. Unsubscribing from a Newsgroup
        4. Downloading Messages
          1. Downloading Message Headers
          2. Downloading Messages
            1. Working Offline: Marking Messages for Downloading
            2. Working Offline: Getting the Message Bodies
        5. Notes on Working with Newsgroup Messages
        6. Following Up a Message
        7. Posting a New Message
        8. Filtering Newsgroup Messages
        9. Rating Posts
        10. Setting News Options
          1. Options for Newsgroups and Messages
            1. Setting General Options
            2. Setting Read Options
            3. Setting Maintenance Options
          2. Options for Individual Newsgroups
        11. From Here
      4. 21. Implementing Windows Vista’s Internet Security and Privacy Features
        1. Control Panel’s Security Settings
        2. New Security Center Features
        3. Windows Firewall: Bidirectional Protection
        4. Thwarting Spyware with Windows Defender
          1. Spyware Scanning
          2. Windows Defender Settings
        5. Surfing the Web Securely
          1. Adding and Removing Zone Sites
          2. Changing a Zone’s Security Level
          3. Protected Mode: Reducing Internet Explorer’s Privileges
          4. Total Security: Internet Explorer Without Add-Ons
          5. Thwarting Phishers with the Phishing Filter
          6. Encoding Addresses to Prevent IDN Spoofing
          7. Managing Add-Ons
          8. Deleting Browser History
          9. Enhancing Online Privacy by Managing Cookies
          10. Blocking Pop-Up Windows
          11. Understand Internet Explorer’s Advanced Security Options
        6. Working with Email Safely and Securely
          1. Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses
          2. Thwarting Spam with Windows Mail’s Junk Filter
            1. Setting the Junk Email Protection Level
            2. Specifying Safe Senders
            3. Blocking Senders
            4. Blocking Countries and Languages
          3. Email Phishing Protection
          4. Maintaining Your Privacy While Reading Email
            1. Blocking Read Receipts
            2. Squashing Web Bugs
          5. Sending and Receiving Secure Email
          6. Setting Up an Email Account with a Digital ID
          7. Obtaining Another Person’s Public Key
          8. Sending a Secure Message
          9. Receiving a Secure Message
        7. Security and Privacy Options for Windows Media Player
          1. Setting Security Options
          2. Setting Privacy Options
        8. More New Security Features
          1. Preventing Rogue Services with Windows Service Hardening
          2. Avoiding Overflows with Support for the NX Bit
          3. Thwarting Malware Randomly with ASLR
        9. From Here
    9. V. Unleashing Windows Vista Networking
      1. 22. Setting Up a Small Network
        1. Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network
          1. Changing the Computer and Workgroup Name
          2. Connecting to a Wireless Network
          3. Connecting to a Nonbroadcasting Wireless Network
          4. Setting Up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network
        2. Understanding the Network Icon
        3. Displaying the Network and Sharing Center
        4. Customizing Your Network
        5. Turning Network Discovery On or Off
        6. Viewing a Network Map
        7. Managing Wireless Networks
        8. Working with Network Connections
        9. From Here
      2. 23. Accessing and Using Your Network
        1. Learning Some Common Network Tasks
          1. View Network Computers and Devices
          2. Adding a Computer or Device
          3. Diagnosing Network Problems
          4. Turning On Network Discovery
        2. Accessing Network Resources
          1. Understanding the Universal Naming Convention
          2. Mapping a Network Folder to a Local Drive Letter
          3. Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder
          4. Creating a Network Location
          5. Printing over the Network
        3. Sharing Resources with the Network
          1. Setting Up File and Printer Sharing
          2. Deactivating the Sharing Wizard
          3. Creating User Accounts for Sharing
          4. Sharing a Resource
          5. Hiding Shared Resources
        4. Working with Offline Files and the Sync Center
          1. Enabling Offline Files
          2. Making Files Available Offline
          3. Working with Network Files Offline
          4. Synchronizing Offline Files
            1. Scheduling a Synchronization by Time
            2. Scheduling a Synchronization by Event
          5. Handling Synchronization Conflicts
          6. Adjusting Disk Space Used for Offline Files
        5. Collaborating with Windows Meeting Space
          1. Signing In to People Near Me
          2. Starting Windows Meeting Space
          3. Joining a Meeting
          4. Starting a Meeting
          5. Inviting People to the Meeting
          6. Sharing a Handout
          7. Starting a Shared Session
          8. Controlling the Shared Session
          9. Ending the Shared Session
        6. From Here
      3. 24. Making Remote Network Connections
        1. Connecting to a Remote Desktop
          1. Getting the Remote Computer Ready to Host
          2. Making the Connection to the Remote Desktop
          3. Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop
          4. Connecting to a Remote Desktop via the Internet
            1. Changing the Listening Port
            2. Configuring Windows Firewall
            3. Determining the Host IP Address
            4. Setting Up Port Forwarding
            5. Connecting Using the IP Address and New Port
        2. Using Virtual Private Network Connections
          1. Configuring a Network Gateway for VPN
          2. Configuring the VPN Client
          3. Making the VPN Connection
        3. From Here
    10. VI. Appendixes
      1. A. Windows Vista Keyboard Shortcuts
      2. B. Using the Windows Vista Command Prompt
        1. Getting to Command Prompt
          1. Using CMD.EXE Switches
          2. Running Commands
          3. Adding Parameters and Switches to a Command Prompt Command
        2. Working with Command Prompt
          1. Working with Long Filenames
          2. Changing Folders Faster
          3. Taking Advantage of DOSKEY
            1. Recalling Command Lines
            2. Entering Multiple Commands on a Single Line
            3. Editing Command Lines
            4. Learning About DOSKEY Macros
              1. Creating DOSKEY Macros
              2. Using Replaceable Parameters in Macros
              3. Macro Examples
              4. Creating a Macro Library
          4. Starting Applications from Command Prompt
            1. Starting 16-Bit Applications
            2. Starting Windows Applications
          5. Sharing Data Between the Command Prompt and Windows Applications
            1. Copying Text from the Command Prompt
            2. Pasting Text to the Command Prompt
            3. Sharing Graphics Between 16-Bit and Windows Programs
        3. Customizing the Command-Line Window
          1. Customizing the Command Prompt Window
            1. Setting Command Prompt Options
            2. Changing the Command Prompt Font
            3. Customizing the Command Prompt Layout
            4. Specifying the Command Prompt Colors
          2. Customizing Other Command-Line Windows
            1. Setting Program Properties
            2. Adjusting Memory Properties
            3. Setting Screen Properties
            4. Some Miscellaneous Properties
            5. Understanding Idle Sensitivity
      3. C. Automating Windows Vista with Batch Files
        1. Batch Files: Some Background
        2. Creating Batch Files
        3. Making a Home for Your Batch Files
        4. Batch-File-Specific Commands
          1. REM: The Simplest Batch File Command
          2. ECHO: A Voice for Your Batch Files
          3. The PAUSE Command
        5. Using Parameters for Batch File Flexibility
          1. Improving on Command-Line Utilities
            1. Making DEL Safer
            2. Changing Folders and Drives in One Step
            3. Excluding Files from a Copy Command
        6. SHIFT: A Different Approach to Parameters
        7. Looping with the FOR Command
          1. Looping: The Basics
          2. Understanding the FOR Command Syntax
          3. A Simple Batch File Example
          4. Different Sets for Different Folks
          5. Using Delayed Environment Variable Expansion
        8. GOTO: Telling Your Batch Files Where to Go
        9. IF: Handling Batch File Conditions
          1. Testing Parameters with IF
          2. Checking for Missing Parameters
          3. The SHIFT Command Redux
          4. Using IF to Check Whether a File Exists
          5. Checking for Command Errors
        10. Redirecting Windows Vista
          1. Redirecting Command Output
          2. Redirecting Input
        11. Piping Commands

    Product information

    • Title: Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Unleashed
    • Author(s): Paul McFedries
    • Release date: December 2006
    • Publisher(s): Sams
    • ISBN: 9780672328947