Windows® 8.1 Absolute Beginner’s Guide

Windows® 8.1 Absolute Beginner’s Guide

Released November 2013
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780133541748

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Book description

Make the most of your new Windows 8.1 device–without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to take control of Windows 8.1, and use it to create, connect, and discover…simplify and organize your whole life…learn more, play more, do more, live better! This book shows you how to do what you want, the way you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Windows has never, ever been this simple!

Who knew how simple Windows 8.1 could be?

This is the easiest, most practical beginner’s guide to using your new Windows 8.1 desktop, notebook, or tablet…simple, reliable instructions for doing everything you really want to do! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:

•   Run Windows the way that’s easiest for you: mouse, touch,
or keyboard

•   Make the most of the Charms Bar and other new shortcuts

•   Get online with Internet Explorer® 11 and master its new tools

•   Retrieve up-to-the-minute news, sports, weather, and financial data

•   Set up your home network, printer, and other devices

•   Safeguard your personal information and keep it private

•   Enjoy all your digital photos, videos, movies, and music

•   Easily connect with anyone through email and the People app

•   Discover and play new Windows 8.1 games

•   Control your Xbox from Windows with Xbox® SmartGlass™

•   Manage even the most gigantic collections of data and media

•   Automatically back up your data to the cloud

•   Fix problems, protect against malware, and keep Windows working reliably

Table of contents

  1. About This eBook
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents at a Glance
  5. Table of Contents
  6. About the Authors
  7. Dedication
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. We Want to Hear from You!
  10. Reader Services
  11. Introduction
    1. What Is an Absolute Beginner?
    2. How This Book Is Organized
    3. Conventions Used in This Book
  12. 1. Your First Hour with Windows
    1. Starting Up Windows
    2. Signing In
    3. Introducing the Start Screen
    4. Using the Charms Bar
    5. The Help and Tips App
    6. Handling Special Startup Situations
    7. Exiting Windows
  13. 2. Interacting with Windows
    1. Getting to Know the Windows 8 Interfaces
    2. Using Windows Controls You Find on the Desktop
  14. 3. Organizing the Start Screen
    1. Organizing All Those Tiles
    2. Personalizing Tile Groups
  15. 4. Making Windows Your Own
    1. Personalize the Start Screen
    2. Personalizing the Desktop
  16. 5. Using Windows Store Apps
    1. Learning Basic Windows Store Apps Info
    2. Running Windows Store Apps
    3. Managing Windows Store Apps
    4. Uninstalling Apps (If You Can)
    5. Shopping at the Windows Store
  17. 6. These Are a Few of My Favorite Apps
    1. Email, Calendar, People
    2. Maps
    3. News
    4. Sports
    5. Food and Drink
    6. Weather
    7. Photographs
    8. Reader
    9. Music, Games, Video
    10. Additional Notable Apps
  18. 7. Setting Up Search, Share, and Notifications
    1. Using Windows Search
    2. Using Windows Share
    3. Fine-Tuning Notifications You Receive
  19. 8. Learning About the Windows Desktop
    1. Introducing the Desktop
    2. Working with the Taskbar
    3. Keeping the Desktop Organized
  20. 9. Working with Windows Desktop Programs
    1. Introducing Windows Desktop Programs
    2. Running Programs on the Desktop
    3. Working with Windows
    4. Installing and Removing Programs
  21. 10. Performing Easy Windows Configuration
    1. The Control Panel
    2. Setting Up Your Mouse or Touchpad
    3. Setting Up Your Keyboard
    4. Setting Up Your Display
    5. Setting Up Power Use
    6. Customizing Corner Navigation
    7. Setting Up Sound
    8. Ease of Access
  22. 11. Connecting to the Internet
    1. Reviewing Important Internet Connection Basics
    2. Learning the Internet Connection Services Typically Available
    3. Connecting to the Internet
  23. 12. Surfing the Web
    1. Figuring Out Which Browser to Use
    2. Navigating to Websites
    3. Enhancing Your Browsing
    4. Using the Desktop Browser
  24. 13. Managing Your Contacts
    1. Introducing the People App
    2. Connecting with Your Contacts
    3. Setting Up Your Contacts
  25. 14. Setting Up and Using Email
    1. Exploring the Mail App
    2. Setting Up Your Email Accounts
    3. Reading Your Email
    4. Writing an Email Message
    5. Managing Your Inbox
  26. 15. Managing Your Calendar
    1. Getting to Know the Calendar App
    2. Synchronizing with Other Calendars
    3. Adding Events to Your Calendar
  27. 16. Enjoying Your Digital Photos in Windows
    1. Learning Photos App Basics
    2. Browsing Through Your Photos
    3. Working with Your Photos
  28. 17. Sharing Your Windows Computer with Others
    1. Windows 8 Users and Account Basics
    2. Adding a New User
    3. Creating a PIN or Picture Password
    4. Making Changes to User Accounts
    5. Maintaining Security
  29. 18. Sharing Files and Printers
    1. Networking with Homegroup
    2. Using the Windows Homegroup
    3. Setting Up Sharing
    4. Sharing Your Printer
    5. Seeing Stuff Shared by Others
  30. 19. Managing Files and Folders
    1. Files and Folder Basics
    2. Exploring with File Explorer
    3. Navigating Through Your Folders
    4. Selecting Files and Folders
    5. Typical Files and Folders Tasks
  31. 20. Working with SkyDrive
    1. Introducing SkyDrive
    2. Viewing SkyDrive Status
    3. Configuring SkyDrive File Storage
    4. Synchronizing SkyDrive
    5. Manage Metered Connections Considerations
    6. Using SkyDrive from the Desktop
  32. 21. Having Fun with Movies and Videos
    1. Getting Started with the Xbox Video App
    2. Moving Through the Xbox Video App
    3. Shopping for Videos
  33. 22. Enjoying Music
    1. Getting Started with the Music App
    2. Loading Your Music into Windows 8
    3. Browsing Through Your Music
    4. Purchasing Music
    5. Importing Music and Creating Music CDs
  34. 23. Having Fun and Playing Games
    1. Using Xbox LIVE with Windows 8
    2. Setting Up Your Xbox LIVE Account
    3. Controlling Xbox from Windows 8
    4. Learning the Xbox Games App
  35. 24. Safe Web Browsing
    1. Understanding Internet Threats and Risks
    2. Defending Yourself
    3. Managing All Your IDs and Passwords
  36. 25. Troubleshooting and Solving Common Problems
    1. Handling Special Windows Startup Situations
    2. Using the Troubleshooting Wizards
    3. Using Task Manager to Close Unresponsive Programs
    4. Understanding Refresh and Restore
  37. Index

Product information

  • Title: Windows® 8.1 Absolute Beginner’s Guide
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: November 2013
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 9780133541748