Windows 7: Up and Running

Book description

This compact book offers the quickest path for Windows users to get started with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. You get the essential information you need to upgrade or install the system and configure it to fit your activities, along with a tour of Windows 7's features and built-in applications.

Microsoft has learned from the mistakes of Windows Vista, and Windows 7 shows it-this new OS is much faster and more stable. With Windows 7: Up and Running, you'll learn what's new and what's changed from XP and Vista, and get advice on ways to use this system for work, entertainment, instant communication, and more. Windows 7 is poised to be a big hit, and with this handy guide, you can be up and running -- and productive -- with it right away.

  • Master the user interface, including the taskbar, jump lists, desktop gadgets, Aero Shake, and notification area
  • Discover the joys of networking with HomeGroup file sharing and improved Wi-Fi
  • Tour the system's improved security, including the Action Center, User Account Control, and Credential Manager
  • Learn how to use Windows Live Essentials for messaging, photo sharing, moviemaking, emailing, and blogging
  • Get to know built-in applications such as Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 12, Microsoft Paint, and WordPad
  • Learn about optional Microsoft software to enhance your Windows 7 experience

Publisher resources

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Table of contents

  1. Preface
    1. How This Book Is Organized
    2. Who This Book Is For
    3. Conventions Used in This Book
    4. Using Code Examples
    5. How to Contact Us
    6. Safari® Books Online
    7. Acknowledgments
  2. 1. Installing Windows 7
    1. Versions of Windows 7
      1. System Requirements
    2. Installing Windows 7
      1. What’s New in Windows 7
        1. Touchscreen support
        2. New taskbar
        3. New Show desktop shortcut
        4. Aero Peek, Aero Shake, and Aero Snap
        5. Gadgets
        6. Revised Paint and WordPad Applications
        7. Calculator
    3. Summary
  3. 2. Getting Around Windows 7
    1. Taskbar
      1. Aero Peek
      2. Pinning Applications to the Taskbar
      3. Jump Lists
        1. Tasks
        2. Destinations
        3. Default entries
    2. Libraries
      1. Exploring Libraries
      2. Creating Your Own Library
    3. Desktop Gadgets
    4. Summary
  4. 3. File Sharing
    1. HomeGroup
      1. Creating a New HomeGroup
        1. Controlling what is shared (and what is not)
      2. Joining a HomeGroup
      3. Sharing Files
      4. Sharing Printers
      5. Streaming Music
    2. File Sharing with Windows XP
    3. File Sharing with Mac OS X
    4. Summary
  5. 4. Security
    1. Action Center
    2. User Account Control
    3. The Credential Manager
      1. Using the Credential Manager
      2. Linking Online IDs
      3. Backing Up the Credentials
    4. BitLocker Drive Encryption
      1. BitLocker
      2. BitLocker To Go
    5. Encrypting File System (NTFS Encryption)
      1. Creating Certificates
      2. Importing Certificates
    6. Antispyware and Firewall Applications
      1. Windows Defender
      2. Windows Firewall
    7. Summary
  6. 5. Essential Applications
    1. Windows Live Essentials
      1. Windows Live Messenger
      2. Windows Live Mail
        1. Subscribing to Microsoft Communities
        2. Working with the Calendar
      3. Windows Live Photo Gallery
      4. Windows Live Writer
      5. Windows Live Family Safety
      6. Windows Live Movie Maker
    2. Built-in Applications
      1. Snipping Tool
      2. Sound Recorder
      3. Windows PowerShell
      4. Windows Photo Viewer
      5. Windows Disc Image Burner
      6. Windows Media Center
      7. Math Input Panel
      8. XPS Viewer
      9. Sticky Notes
      10. Calculator
      11. Microsoft WordPad
      12. Microsoft Paint
      13. Windows Media Player 12
    3. Summary
  7. 6. Internet Explorer 8
    1. Usability
      1. Smart Address Bar
      2. Enhanced Tabbed Browsing and Grouping
      3. Compatibility View
      4. Find on Page
      5. Improved Search
      6. Web Slices
      7. Accelerators
    2. Privacy
      1. InPrivate Browsing
      2. InPrivate Filtering
      3. Suggested Sites
    3. Security
      1. Domain Highlighting
      2. SmartScreen Filter
    4. Summary
  8. 7. Using Windows XP Mode
    1. Installing Windows XP Mode
      1. Using Windows XP Mode
    2. Running Windows XP Mode Seamlessly with Windows 7
      1. USB Mode
    3. Installing Other Operating Systems
      1. Creating a New Virtual Machine
      2. Starting the New Virtual Machine
    4. Summary
  9. 8. Windows 7 Tips and Tricks
    1. Customizing the UI
      1. Change Windows Explorer’s Default View
      2. Open a Command Window Anywhere
      3. Use Themes for Other Locations
      4. Touch Gestures
      5. Auto-Login
    2. Taskbar
      1. Rearranging the Icons in the Taskbar
      2. Displaying the Old Quick Launch Bar
      3. Taskbar Shortcuts
      4. Pinning Folders to the Taskbar
    3. Utilities/Troubleshooting Tools
      1. Projector Screen Selection
      2. Problems Steps Recorder
      3. Troubleshooting Sleep Mode Problems
      4. Windows Disk Image Burner
      5. Calibrating Your Display
      6. Windows 7 Compatibility Mode
    4. Installing Windows 7
      1. Installing Windows 7 Using a USB Hard Drive
      2. Installing Windows 7 Using a USB Thumb Drive
      3. Dual Booting Windows 7 with Windows Vista and Windows XP
      4. Installing Windows 7 on a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) File
    5. Summary
  10. Index
  11. About the Author
  12. Colophon
  13. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: Windows 7: Up and Running
  • Author(s): Wei-Meng Lee
  • Release date: October 2009
  • Publisher(s): O'Reilly Media, Inc.
  • ISBN: 9780596804046