Book description
SPECIAL EDITION Microsoft® Windows Vista® Second Edition
The only Windows Vista book you need
We crafted this book to grow with you, providing the reference material you need as you move toward Vista proficiency and use more advanced features. If you buy only one book on Vista, Special Edition Using Microsoft® Windows Vista®, Second Edition, is the book you need.
• Tired of the constant barrage of spam, spyware, viruses and other ‘Net nasties? We show you how to rebuke the onslaught of hacker attacks, protect your identity, and keep your sanity, all at the same time.
• Is the new Vista interface making your trigger-finger itch? Ours too…that is, until we turned Windows inside out, shook out all the loose parts, and figured out just what makes this beast tick. Learn from our pain and suffering.
• If you finally broke down and purchased a Windows Media Center computer, or if you think you have one and didn’t even know it, you are holding just the book for you. We show you how to get up to speed with your new computer, transforming it from the little PC that could into the media juggernaut, entertainment center, gaming center, and way-better-than-TiVo replacement you never knew it could be.
• Ready to upgrade? We provide from-the-trenches advice on upgrading to Windows Vista. Maybe you to still want to run Windows XP but would like to try Vista for a while to see if you like it. We cover how to dual-boot your computer safely with both operating systems.
Category: Microsoft® Windows Operating System
Covers: Microsoft® Windows Vista®, all versions Windows Vista Service Pack 1
User Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Robert Cowart has written more than 40 books that have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. He made his name writing for Sybex and Osborne–most notably in the best-selling Mastering Windows series. As an author and media developer for Que, Bob has written numerous Windows titles, including multiple editions of Que’s flagship Windows book, Special Edition Using Microsoft® Windows®.
Brian Knittel is a software developer, consultant, and writer. He’s authored or coauthored many of Que’s best-selling Windows books, including Que’s leading Windows book, Special Edition Using Microsoft® Windows®. Brian also is the author of Windows XP Under the Hood and coauthored Upgrading and Repairing Windows® with Scott Mueller.
On the CD-ROM
More than 80 minutes of how-to video, showing you how to get up to speed with Windows Vista! Bob and Brian show you how the new Vista Welcome Center works, how to personalize and tweak the desktop, how to use the new Windows Explorers, how to manage user accounts and more! Using screen cam videos and voice over, you’ll be able to watch the Windows masters at work, taking the guesswork out of getting up to speed with Vista. It’s like having Bob and Brian sitting next to you while you’re learning how to use Vista!
Table of contents
- Copyright
- About the Authors
- About the Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- We Want to Hear from You!
- Introduction
-
I. Introducing Windows Vista
-
1. Introducing Windows Vista
- An Overview of Windows Vista
- A Little Windows History
- So What’s New in Windows Vista?
- Differences Among Versions of Vista
- How Does Windows Vista Compare to UNIX and Linux?
- Windows Vista on the Corporate Network
-
2. Installing and Upgrading Windows Vista
- General Considerations for Windows Vista
- Windows Vista Hardware Requirements
- Performing a New Installation of Windows Vista
- Upgrading Older Versions of Windows to Vista
- Upgrading One Version of Vista to Another
- Multibooting Windows Vista
- Activating Windows Vista
- The Virtual Machine Approach
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Editing Your Windows Vista Boot Menu Entries
-
3. The First Hour
- The First Things to Do After Starting Windows Vista
- A Quick Tour of Vista’s Important Features
- Windows Vista User Accounts
- Set Up Internet Access
- Download Critical Updates
- Personalize Windows
- Transfer Information from Your Old Computer
- Log Off or Shut Down
- More Than You Wanted to Know
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Configuring the Default User Profile
-
1. Introducing Windows Vista
-
II. Using Windows Vista
-
4. Using the Windows Vista Interface
- Who Should Read This Chapter?
- Logging In to Windows Vista
- Using Windows Vista—The User Experience
- The Taskbar, the Start Menu, and Other Tools
- Running Your Applications
- Using the Help System
- Exiting Windows Gracefully
- Dealing with a Crashed Application or Operating System
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Working Efficiently
- 5. Managing Files and Searching
-
6. Printing
- Windows Printing Primer
- Installing and Configuring a Printer
- Installing a Local Printer
- Changing a Printer’s Properties
- Removing a Printer from the Printers Folder
- Printing from Windows Applications
- Printing from DOS Applications
- Working with the Printer Queue
- Viewing and Altering Print Document Properties
- XPS Print Output
- Print to Disk Option
- Faxing
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Does the Green Ink Have You Seeing Red?
- 7. Sidebar and Other Supplied Accessories
-
4. Using the Windows Vista Interface
-
III. Multimedia and Imaging
- 8. Windows Media Player
- 9. Windows Imaging Tools
- 10. Scanning and Faxing
-
11. Producing Videos with Windows Movie Maker
- Multimedia, Imaging, and Windows
- Video Capture and Editing with Microsoft Movie Maker 6
-
Capturing Your Video Clips
- Manually Importing Video
- Importing Digital Still Camera Movies, Snaps, and Sound Files
- Organizing Your Clips
- Turning Your Video Clips into a Simple Movie
- Editing Your Movie
- Adding Transitions Between Clips
- Adding Video Effects (Filters) to Your Clips
- Adding Narration to Your Movie
- Adding Titles to Your Movie
- Saving Your Project and Saving Your Movie
- AutoMovie
- Movie Maker Advanced Settings
- Beyond Windows Movie Maker
- Help Sites and Resources for Digital Video
-
Troubleshooting
- You Can’t Control the DV Camcorder in Windows Movie Maker
- Windows Says You Don’t Have the Privileges to Publish a Movie on a CD
- You Can’t Publish Your Movie to the DV Camera
- The First Few Seconds of Your Movie Are Missing After You Publish to Tape
- You Get an Error Message That the Temporary Files Exceed the 4GB FAT-32 File Size Limit
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Adding Impact to Your Movies
- 12. Sound Recorder, DVD Maker, and other Multimedia Tools
- 13. Windows Media Center
-
IV. Windows Vista and the Internet
-
14. Getting Connected
- Going Worldwide
- Connection Technologies
- Choosing an Internet Service Provider
- Choosing Equipment
- Ordering the Service
- Installing the Hardware
- Configuring Your Internet Connection
- Adjusting Dial-Up Connection Properties
- Configuring a High-Speed Connection
- Making and Ending a Dial-Up Connection
- Changing the Default Connection
- Managing Multiple Internet Connections
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Staying Connected While Traveling Abroad
-
15. Using Internet Explorer 7
- Origins and Development of the World Wide Web
- What’s New in Internet Explorer 7?
- Internet Explorer 7 Quick Tour
- Using Multimedia Browsing and Downloading
- Customizing the Browser and Setting Internet Options
- Effectively Searching the Web
- Safer Alternatives to IE
- Getting a Microsoft Live ID
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Finding and Using PDF Documents on the World Wide Web
-
16. Email and Newsgroups with Windows Mail
- Choosing an Email Client
- Windows Mail Quick Tour
- Creating and Sending New Mail
- Using the Windows Contacts Address Book
- Handling Unique Mail Situations
- Additional Security Features in Windows Mail
- Newsgroups and the Internet
- Setting Up a Newsgroup Account in Windows Mail
- Finding and Reading Newsgroups
- Troubleshooting Email
- Troubleshooting Newsgroups
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Creating Formatted Email
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Newsgroups—For More Than Just News
-
17. Troubleshooting Your Internet Connection
- It’s Great When It Works, but...
- Before You Run into Trouble
- Troubleshooting Step by Step
- Identifying Software-Configuration Problems
- Identifying Network Hardware Problems
- Troubleshooting Internet Problems with Windows TCP/IP Utilities
- Third-Party Utilities
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Pinging with Larger Packets
-
18. Hosting Web Pages with Internet Information Services
- Overview of Internet Information Services 7.0
- IIS Services and Requirements
- Installing IIS
- Setting Up a Simple Website
- Managing Your Site with the Computer Management Console
- Managing the FTP Server
- Log Files
- Making the Site Available on the Internet
- Security Issues for Internet Services
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Scripting for Interactive Sites
-
14. Getting Connected
-
V. Networking
-
19. Overview of Windows Networking
- Networking for Everybody
- Windows Vista’s Network Personalities
- Network Hardware Options
- Network Terminology
-
Windows Vista Network Services
- What’s Changed in Vista
- File and Printer Sharing
- Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP)
- Roaming User Profiles
- Distributed Applications
- .NET
- Virtual Private Networking
- Remote Access Service (RAS)
- Internet Connection Sharing
- Windows Firewall
- Universal Plug and Play
- Active Directory
- IntelliMirror
- Intranet/Internet Services and Tools
- Security
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Becoming a Networking Professional
-
20. Creating a Windows Network
- Creating or Joining a Network
- Planning Your Network
- Choosing a Network and Cabling System
- Installing Network Adapters
- Installing Network Wiring
- Configuring a Peer-to-Peer Network
- Joining a Windows Domain Network
- Network Security
- Checking Out the Neighborhood
- Installing and Configuring Backup Software
- Bridging Two Network Types with Windows Vista
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Grassroots Networking
- 21. Mix and Match with Old Windows and Macs
-
22. Connecting Your Network to the Internet
- It’s a Great Time to Connect Your LAN to the Internet
- The Nuts and Bolts of the Connection
-
Configuring Your LAN
- Scheme A—Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing with a Dial-Up Connection
- Scheme B—Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing with a Broadband Connection
- Scheme C—Sharing Router with a Broadband or Dial-Up Connection
- Using Universal Plug and Play
- Scheme D—Cable Internet with Multiple Computers
- Scheme E—Cable Internet with Multiple Computers and a Separate LAN
- Scheme F—Routed Service Using a Router
- Making Services Available
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Speeding Up Vista?
-
23. Using a Windows Network
- Windows Vista Was Made to Network
- File Sharing in Windows Vista
- The Network and Sharing Center in Windows Vista
- Using Shared Folders
- Exploring and Searching the Network
- Using Printers on the Network
- Using Network Resources Effectively
- Sharing Resources
- Sharing Folders and Drives
- Sharing Printers
- Managing Network Use of Your Computer
- Managing Network Resources Using the Command Line
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Using Command-Line Utilities
- 24. Troubleshooting Your Network
-
19. Overview of Windows Networking
-
VI. Maintaining Windows Vista
-
25. Windows Management and Maintenance
- Overview
- The Windows Vista Control Panel
- AutoPlay
- Date and Time
- Default Programs
- Device Manager
- Understanding and Resolving Hardware Conflicts
- Ease of Access Center
- Fonts
- Game Controllers
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Performance Information and Tools
- Reliability and Performance Monitor
- System Diagnostics Report
- Power Options
- Programs and Features
- Regional and Language Options
- System
- Windows SideShow
- Administrative Tools
- Computer Management
- Services
- Task Scheduler
- System Configuration
- Task Manager
- System Information
- Adjust Visual Effects and Performance Options
- Using the iSCSI Initiator
- System Tools Folder in Start Menu
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Creating and Using Shortcuts to Your Favorite Control Panel Applets
-
26. Tweaking the GUI
- GUI: To Tweak or Not to Tweak
- Start Menu Pizzazz!
- Display Properties
- Tweak UI
-
Miscellaneous GUI Tips
- Fonts Preview Trick
- Which Windows Are You Using?
- Limiting Flip 3D
- More Visual Effects
- Administrator Tools Not Showing Up
- Changing the Location of the Documents and other Special Folders
- Cascading Elements off the Start Menu
- Switch Ctrl, Alt, and Caps Lock Keys
- Auto Scrolling with a Three-Button Mouse
- Configuring the Recycle Bin
- Troubleshooting
-
27. Managing Hard Disks
- Hard Disk Management
- Windows Vista File and Storage Systems
- Organizational Strategies
- Windows Vista’s Disk-Management Tools
- Disk Management
- Removable Storage
- Disk Defragmenter
- Detecting and Repairing Disk Errors
- Convert
- Compression: How It Works, How to Use It
- Disk Cleanup Utility
- Zipping or Compressing Files
- Third-Party Management Tools
- Hard Disk Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Quieting a Noisy System
-
28. Troubleshooting and Repairing Problems
- Troubleshooting 101
- Easy Repair Options at Boot Time
- Startup Repair
- System Restore
- Windows Complete PC Restore
- Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
- Command Prompt
- Repairing a System That Won’t Start with Regedit
- Boot Options
- As a Last Resort
- Preventing Problems
- Fixing Application Problems with the Program Compatibility Wizard
- Using Problem Reports and Solutions
- Finding and Using Windows Vista Troubleshooting Resources
- Black Magic of Troubleshooting
- Tricks of the Windows Masters: Recovering Data from the System Recovery Options Menu
- 29. Keeping Windows and Other Software Up to Date
- 30. Installing and Replacing Hardware
-
31. Editing the Registry
- What Is the Registry?
- How the Registry Is Organized
- Registry Contents
- New Registry Features in Windows Vista
- Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
- Using Regedit
- Other Registry Tools
- Registry Privileges and Policies
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Deploying Registry Settings with REG Files
-
32. Command-Line and Automation Tools
- Command-Line Tools
- The Windows Vista Command Prompt Environment
- Command-Line Management Tools
- Setting Environment Variables
- Setting Command Prompt Window Properties
- The MS-DOS Environment
- Batch Files
- Windows Script Host
- Task Scheduler
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Getting More Information
-
25. Windows Management and Maintenance
-
VII. Security
-
33. Protecting Windows from Viruses and Spyware
- Malicious Software: Ignorance Is Not Bliss
-
Antimalware Strategy: Defense in Depth
- Windows Security Center
- Choosing and Installing an Antivirus Client
- Windows Defender for Spyware Protection
- Personal Firewalls: A Layer of Protection from Worms
- Automatic Updates: Remove the Side Doors
- Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
- User Account Control (UAC)
- Service Hardening
- Internet Explorer 7 Malware Protection
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Avoiding Malware
-
34. Protecting Your Data from Loss and Theft
- The Backup and Restore Center
- Creating a File and Folder Backup
- Restoring Data from a File and Folder Backup
- Creating a Complete PC (Image) Backup
- Restoring a Complete PC Backup Image
- Encrypted File System (EFS)
- Disk Organization for Data Safety
-
BitLocker Disk Encryption
- BitLocker System Requirements
- Using the BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool
- Manual Preparation of the Hard Disk for Use with BitLocker
- Enabling the TPM
- Encrypting the Drive with BitLocker
- BitLocker Drive Encryption Recovery
- How BitLocker Protects Your Information
- Differences Between BitLocker and EFS Encryption
- Recovering Previous Versions of a File
- NTFS File Permissions
- Security Policy Configuration Options
- Third-Party Disc-Backup Tools
-
Troubleshooting
- Backup Hardware Not Working
- USB Backup Device Not Recognized
- USB Backup Device Runs Very Slowly
- Not Enough Room for Backup on Target
- Can’t Locate File to Restore from a Multidisc Backup Setup
- CIPHER Produces Unexpected Results
- Unable to Encrypt Files or Folders
- Unable to Use BitLocker
- A User Has Access to a Restricted Object
- Administrator Can’t Delete File or Folder
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Restoring NTBACKUP Files
-
35. Protecting Your Network from Hackers and Snoops
- It’s a Cold, Cruel World
- Network Security Basics
- Advantages of a NAT (Shared) Connection and Separate Router
- Passwords Versus Passwordless File Sharing
- Testing, Logging, and Monitoring
- Disaster Planning: Preparation for Recovery After an Attack
- Specific Configuration Steps for Windows Vista
- Configuring Windows Firewall
- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
- More About Security
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Having Professionals Audit Your Network
- 36. Protecting Yourself from Fraud and Spam
-
33. Protecting Windows from Viruses and Spyware
-
VIII. Windows On the Move
- 37. Wireless Networking
-
38. Hitting the Road
- Windows Unplugged: Mobile and Remote Computing
- Managing Mobile Computers
-
VPN and Dial-Up Networking
- Virtual Private Networking
- Setting Up VPN and Dial-Up Networking
- Setting a VPN or Dial-Up Connection’s Properties
- Managing Dial-Up Connections from Multiple Locations
- Establishing a VPN or Dial-Up Connection
- Using Remote Network Resources
- Email and Network Connections
- Monitoring and Ending a VPN or Dial-Up Connection
- Routing Issues
- Incoming VPN and Dial-Up Access
- Offline Folders
- Multiple LAN Connections
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: Manually Adding Routing Information
- 39. Meetings, Conferencing, and Collaboration
- 40. Remote Desktop
-
41. Tablet PC Features
- Importance of Handwriting
- History of Tablets
- Who Needs a Tablet?
- What Does Tablet Vista Have That Regular PCs Don’t?
- What’s New in Tablet Vista?
- Choosing a Tablet PC
- Using Your Tablet PC—Differences and Similarities of Functions
- Input Methods Using the Input Panel
- Gestures and Pen Flicks
- Handwriting Recognition
- AutoComplete
- Sticky Notes and the Snipping Tool
- Windows Journal
- Tablet PC Settings and Pen and Input Devices
- Troubleshooting
- Tips from the Windows Pros: A Whole New Level of Pen Flicks
- IX. Appendixes
Product information
- Title: Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows Vista, Second Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: April 2008
- Publisher(s): Que
- ISBN: 9780768682588
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