Visual QuickStart Guide: Microsoft Windows 7

Visual QuickStart Guide: Microsoft Windows 7

Released September 2009
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: None

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Book description

This concise guide covers every edition of Windows 7 in Visual QuickStart style, with plenty of screenshots, numbered steps, tips, and sidebars. You'll learn how to use new and updated features, including the redesigned taskbar; jump lists; libraries; federated search; desktop gadgets; window-management shortcuts; and the improved versions of Internet Explorer, Mail, 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 or homegroup, connecting to the internet, configuring routers and firewalls, and hooking up printers and other devices. You'll learn how to use security features to protect your PC and network and share files while keeping personal stuff private.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Introduction
    1. What Windows Does
    2. The Editions of Windows 7
    3. Upgrading to Windows 7
    4. What’s New in Windows 7
    5. About This Book
      1. Conventions used in this book
      2. Default settings
      3. Companion website
  3. 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 Getting Started
    3. Exploring the Windows Interface
    4. The Mouse
    5. The Keyboard
    6. Menus
      1. Shortcut menus
      2. Menu buttons
    7. Ribbons
    8. Toolbars
    9. Icons
    10. Windows
      1. Activating a window
      2. Resizing, moving, and closing windows
      3. Scrolling
    11. Dialog Boxes
    12. Properties
    13. Transferring Data
      1. Cut, copy, and paste
      2. Drag-and-drop
      3. Intermediate formats
      4. Import/export
      5. OLE
  4. 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 Gadgets
    10. Managing Shortcuts
    11. Tidying Your Desktop
  5. 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
  6. 4. Personalizing Your Work Environment
    1. Using Control Panel
    2. Setting the Window Color
    3. Turning Off Aero
    4. Setting the Desktop Background
    5. Setting the Screen Saver
    6. Setting the Desktop Theme
    7. Configuring the Monitor
    8. Configuring the Mouse
    9. Configuring the Keyboard
    10. Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
    11. Setting the Date and Time
    12. Localizing Your System
    13. Accommodating Disabled Users
    14. Using Speech Recognition
    15. Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
    16. Conserving Power
    17. Managing Fonts
    18. Managing Visual Effects and Performance
    19. Getting General System Information
  7. 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. Advanced searches
      5. Natural-language search
      6. Indexes
    16. Saving Searches
    17. Using Libraries
    18. Burning CDs and DVDs
    19. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  8. 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. Connect to a Projector
      6. Games
      7. Notepad
      8. Paint
      9. Sticky Notes
      10. WordPad
    11. Saving Documents
    12. Opening Documents
    13. Associating Documents with Programs
    14. Installing Windows Live Programs
  9. 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
  10. 8. Setting up Hardware
    1. Connecting Devices to Your Computer
      1. External devices
      2. Internal devices
    2. Installing a New Device
    3. Managing Device Drivers
  11. 9. Digital Photos
    1. Importing Photos into Your Computer
    2. Getting Started with Windows Live Photo Gallery
    3. Viewing Photos
    4. Finding Photos
    5. Photo Gallery Tips
  12. 10. Windows Media Player
    1. Getting Started with Media Player
    2. Playing CDs and DVDs
    3. Ripping CDs
    4. Organizing Your Library
    5. Working with Playlists
    6. Burning Music CDs
    7. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  13. 11. Windows Live Movie Maker
    1. Getting Started with Movie Maker
    2. Creating a Movie
  14. 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
  15. 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
    7. Encrypting Drives
  16. 14. Internet Explorer
    1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer
    2. Navigating the Web
    3. Using Tabs
    4. Bookmarking Pages
    5. Browsing Tips
  17. 15. Windows Live Mail
    1. Getting Started with Windows Live Mail
    2. Setting up an Email Account
    3. Sending Email
    4. Reading Email
    5. Receiving Attachments
    6. Applying Message Rules
  18. 16. Windows Live Messenger
    1. Signing in to Messenger
    2. Creating a Contacts List
    3. Using Messenger
  19. 17. Managing User Accounts
    1. Setting up User Accounts
    2. Using User Account Control
    3. Managing User Profiles
  20. 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 (Powerline)
      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
  21. 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
  22. 20. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
    1. Getting System Information
    2. Managing Tasks
    3. Cleaning up a Drive
    4. Defragmenting a Drive
    5. Checking for Drive Errors
    6. Managing Drives
    7. Scheduling Tasks
    8. Editing the Registry
    9. Solving Problems
    10. Boosting Memory
    11. Restoring Your System
    12. Backing up Your Files
    13. Recovering After a Crash
  23. A. Installing Windows
    1. Getting Ready to Install Windows
      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
    4. Activating Windows
    5. Transferring Existing Files and Settings
    6. Installing Service Packs
      1. Before you install

Product information

  • Title: Visual QuickStart Guide: Microsoft Windows 7
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: September 2009
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: None