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Windows® 8.1 IN DEPTH

Windows® 8.1 IN DEPTH

by Paul McFedries, Brian Knittel
Publisher: Que
Release Date: March 2014
ISBN: 9780133763720
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Book Description

Windows® 8.1 IN DEPTH

Do more in less time!

Experienced with Windows? Don’t let Windows 8.1 make you feel like a beginner again! This book is
packed with intensely useful knowledge you won’t find anywhere else. Full of new tips and shortcuts,
it’s the fastest, best way to master Windows 8.1’s full power, get comfortable with its radically
different interface, and leverage its new tools for everything from business to video, security to
social networking!

•    Take a quick guided tour of everything that’s new in Windows 8.1

•    Survive without the Start menu

•    Navigate the Windows 8.1 interface (and customize it to make yourself more comfortable)

•    Learn hidden shortcuts you’d never find on your own

•    Quickly locate and use files, media, apps, websites and management tools

•    Set up your Web connection, and discover Internet Explorer 11’s latest improvements

•    Get comfortable with Windows 8.1’s built-in apps, from Calendar and Finance to Weather and Windows Store

•    Save time by monitoring Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn through one unified app

•    Make the most of Windows’ supercharged media and imaging tools

•    Profit from Windows’ built-in support for business presentations

•    Maximize the performance and efficiency of hardware, storage, and software

•    Protect yourself from viruses, spyware, data theft, fraud, spam, hackers, and snoops

•    Use SkyDrive to access your data from anywhere—and use Remote Desktop to access your computer, too

•    Get even more power with Windows 8.1’s command-line interface

•    Use Hyper-V to run other operating systems alongside Windows

•    Troubleshoot the most common Windows 8.1’s problems—and the toughest ones

In Depth offers:

•    Comprehensive coverage, with detailed solutions

•    Breakthrough techniques and shortcuts that are unavailable elsewhere

•    Practical, real-world examples with nothing glossed over or left out

•    Troubleshooting help for tough problems you can’t fix on your own

•    Outstanding authors recognized worldwide for their expertise and teaching styles

•    Quick information via sidebars, tips, reminders, notes, and warnings

In Depth is the only tool you need to get more done in less time!

CATEGORY: Windows Operating System

COVERS: Microsoft® Windows 8.1

Table of Contents

  1. About This eBook
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents at a Glance
  5. Contents
  6. About the Authors
  7. Dedication
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. We Want to Hear from You!
  10. Reader Services
  11. Introduction
    1. Welcome
    2. Why This Book?
    3. How Our Book Is Organized
    4. Conventions Used in This Book
  12. Part I: Starting Out with Windows 8.1
    1. 1. Meet Windows 8.1
      1. An Overview of Windows 8.1
      2. What’s New in Windows 8.1?
      3. Life Without the Start Menu
    2. 2. Installing or Upgrading Windows 8.1
      1. Windows 8.1 System Requirements
      2. Preparing Your System: A Checklist
      3. Installing Windows 8.1
      4. Upgrading to Windows 8.1
      5. Dual- (and Multi-) Booting Windows 8.1
      6. Customizing the Boot Configuration Data
      7. Installing Windows 8.1 Components
    3. 3. Your First Hour with Windows 8.1
      1. The First Things to Do After Starting Windows 8.1
      2. A Quick Tour of the Important Windows 8.1 Features
      3. Setting Up User Accounts
      4. Downloading Critical Updates
      5. Personalizing Windows 8.1
      6. Transferring Information from Your Old Computer
      7. How the Heck Do I Shut This Thing Off?
      8. More Than You Wanted to Know
      9. If You’re Moving to Windows 8.1 from XP
  13. Part II: Using Windows 8.1
    1. 4. Using the Windows 8.1 Interface
      1. Taking a Tour of the Windows 8.1 Interface
      2. Navigating the Start Screen
      3. Working with Running Apps
      4. Working with Notifications
      5. Searching via the Start Screen
      6. Customizing the Start Screen
      7. Customizing the Lock Screen
      8. Bypassing the Start Screen
    2. 5. Windows Apps and the Windows Store
      1. The Windows Apps
      2. Installing Apps from the Windows Store
      3. Uninstalling Apps
      4. Sharing App Data
    3. 6. Managing Files and Searching
      1. Understanding File Types
      2. Navigating the Windows 8.1 Folder Windows
      3. Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros
      4. Desktop Searching
      5. Grouping and Filtering with Metadata
    4. 7. Devices and Printers
      1. Windows Printing Primer
      2. Installing and Configuring a Printer
      3. Changing a Printer’s Properties
      4. Removing a Printer
      5. Printing from Your Applications
      6. Working with the Printer Queue
      7. Advanced Printer Management
      8. XPS Print Output
      9. Faxing
    5. 8. Accessories and Accessibility
      1. A Boatload of Useful Tools
      2. Desktop Accessories
      3. Accessibility Tools
  14. Part III: Multimedia and Imaging
    1. 9. Windows Media Player
      1. Getting to Know Media Player
      2. Playing Media Files
      3. Setting Media Player’s Playback Options
      4. Copying Music from an Audio CD
      5. Copying Tracks to a Recordable CD or Device
      6. Streaming Your Media Library
    2. 10. Windows Media Center
      1. Windows 8.1 and Windows Media Center
      2. Media Center Hardware Requirements
      3. Connecting Your PC to Other Media Devices
      4. Touring the Windows Media Center Interface
      5. Some Useful Media Center Techniques
    3. 11. Windows and Imaging Devices
      1. Connecting Imaging Devices
      2. Accessing Media on a Memory Card
      3. Importing Photos from a Digital Camera
      4. Burning Photos to an Optical Disc
      5. Sending Photos to a Printer
    4. 12. Scanning and Faxing
      1. Introducing Windows Fax and Scan
      2. Configuring the Fax Service
      3. Sending Faxes from Windows Fax and Scan
      4. Receiving Faxes
      5. Scanning Documents with Windows Fax and Scan
    5. 13. More Windows 8.1 Media Tools
      1. Controlling the Volume
      2. Setting the Default Output Device
      3. Assigning Sounds to Events
      4. Recording Sounds with the Sound Recorder
      5. Controlling Your Computer with Speech Recognition
  15. Part IV: Windows 8.1 and the Internet
    1. 14. Getting Connected
      1. Going Worldwide
      2. Connection Technologies
      3. Installing a Modem for Dial-Up Service
      4. Configuring a Dial-Up Internet Connection
      5. Making and Ending a Dial-Up Connection
      6. Installing a Network Adapter for Broadband Service
      7. Configuring a High-Speed Connection
      8. Changing the Default Connection
      9. Managing Multiple Internet Connections
    2. 15. Using Internet Explorer 11
      1. Understanding Web Page Addresses
      2. Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing
      3. Searching the Web
      4. The Favorites Folder: Sites to Remember
      5. Working with RSS Feeds
      6. Customizing Internet Explorer
    3. 16. Windows 8.1 Internet Communications
      1. Working with Email
      2. Setting Up Mail Accounts
      3. Handling Incoming Messages
      4. Sending Messages
      5. Maintaining Mail
      6. Filtering Incoming Messages
      7. Finding a Message
      8. Setting Up Social Networks with the People App
    4. 17. Troubleshooting an Internet Connection
      1. It’s Great When It Works, But...
      2. Troubleshooting Step by Step
      3. Identifying Software Configuration Problems
      4. Identifying Network Hardware Problems
      5. Troubleshooting Internet Problems with Windows TCP/IP Utilities
      6. Third-Party Utilities
  16. Part V: Networking
    1. 18. Creating a Windows Network
      1. Creating or Joining a Network
      2. Planning Your Network
      3. Choosing a Network and Cabling System
      4. Additional Networking Functions
      5. Installing Network Adapters
      6. Installing Network Wiring
      7. Installing a Wireless Network
      8. Configuring a Peer-to-Peer Network
      9. Joining a Windows Domain Network
      10. Bridging Two Network Types
    2. 19. Connecting Your Network to the Internet
      1. Sharing an Internet Connection
      2. Ways to Make the Connection
      3. Configuring Your LAN
      4. Configuring the Rest of the Network
      5. Making Services Available
    3. 20. Networking with Other Operating Systems
      1. Mix and Match with Windows and Macs
      2. Internetworking with Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP
      3. Internetworking with UNIX and Linux
      4. Internetworking with Macintosh
      5. Installing Optional Network Components
      6. The Hosts File
    4. 21. Using a Windows Network
      1. Windows Was Made to Network
      2. Using Shared Folders in Windows 8.1
      3. Searching the Network
      4. Security and File Sharing
      5. Using Printers on the Network
      6. Network Power User Topics
      7. Sharing Resources
      8. Sharing Printers
      9. Managing Your Network
    5. 22. Troubleshooting Your Network
      1. When Good Networks Go Bad
      2. Getting Started
      3. Troubleshooters and Diagnostic Tools
      4. Testing Network Cables
      5. Checking Network Configuration
      6. Testing Network Connectivity with ping
      7. Diagnosing File and Printer Sharing Problems
  17. Part VI: Maintaining Windows 8.1
    1. 23. Windows Management Tools
      1. Managing Windows
      2. Controlling Windows 8.1 with Control Panel
      3. Policing Windows 8.1 with Group Policies
      4. Configuring the Microsoft Management Console
      5. Controlling Services
      6. Monitoring Performance
    2. 24. Tweaking and Customizing Windows
      1. Working with the PC Settings App
      2. Customizing File Explorer
      3. Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching
    3. 25. Managing Hard Disks and Storage Spaces
      1. Dealing with Hard Disk Errors
      2. Checking Free Disk Space
      3. Deleting Unnecessary Files
      4. Defragmenting Your Hard Disk
      5. Working with Storage Spaces
      6. Managing Your Disks
      7. Working with Disk Files
    4. 26. Troubleshooting and Repairing Problems
      1. Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem
      2. General Troubleshooting Tips
      3. More Troubleshooting Tools
      4. Troubleshooting Startup
      5. Troubleshooting Device Problems
      6. Recovering from a Problem
    5. 27. Managing Your Software
      1. Configuring and Managing Windows Update
      2. Working with Third-Party Software
    6. 28. Managing Your Hardware
      1. Windows 8.1 and Hardware
      2. Viewing Your Devices
      3. Installing Devices
      4. Running Windows 8.1 with Multiple Monitors
      5. Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager
      6. Working with Device Drivers
      7. Uninstalling a Device
      8. Working with Device Security Policies
    7. 29. Editing the Windows Registry
      1. What Is the Registry?
      2. How the Registry Is Organized
      3. New Registry Features
      4. Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
      5. Using Regedit
      6. Other Registry Tools
      7. Registry Privileges and Policies
    8. 30. Command-Line and Automation Tools
      1. Command-Line Tools
      2. The Windows 8.1 Command Prompt Environment
      3. Setting Environment Variables
      4. The MS-DOS Environment
      5. Batch Files
      6. Windows Script Host
      7. Windows PowerShell
      8. Task Scheduler
  18. Part VII: Security
    1. 31. Protecting Windows from Viruses and Spyware
      1. Avoiding Viruses and Spyware: The Basics
      2. Checking Your Computer’s Security Settings
      3. Understanding User Account Control (UAC)
      4. Enhancing Your Browsing Security
      5. Understanding Internet Explorer’s Advanced Security Options
      6. Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses
    2. 32. Protecting Your Data from Loss and Theft
      1. Preparing for Trouble
      2. Protecting a File
      3. Setting Security Permissions on Files and Folders
      4. Encrypting Files and Folders
      5. Encrypting a Disk with BitLocker
    3. 33. Protecting Your Network from Hackers and Snoops
      1. It’s a Cold, Cruel World
      2. Preparation: Network Security Basics
      3. Active Defense
      4. Testing, Logging, and Monitoring
      5. Disaster Planning: Preparation for Recovery After an Attack
      6. Specific Configuration Steps for Windows 8.1
      7. Configuring Windows Firewall
      8. More About Security
    4. 34. Protecting Yourself from Fraud and Spam
      1. Phishing for Information
      2. Fighting Spam
      3. Take Action Against Email Abuse
  19. Part VIII: Windows on the Move
    1. 35. Windows on Mobile Devices
      1. Windows 8.1 on Tablets and Mobile Devices
      2. Tablet Input Methods
      3. Configuring Touch and Pen Input
      4. Pen Flicks
      5. Using Handwriting Recognition
    2. 36. Wireless Networking
      1. Wireless Networking in Windows 8.1
      2. Joining a Wireless Network
      3. Ad Hoc Networks and Meetings
      4. Managing Wireless Network Connections
    3. 37. Computing on the Road
      1. Windows Unplugged: Mobile and Remote Computing
      2. Managing Mobile Computers
      3. VPN and Dial-Up Networking
      4. Incoming VPN Access
      5. Offline Files
      6. Multiple LAN Connections
    4. 38. Meetings, Conferencing, and Collaboration
      1. Windows 8.1 Plays Well with Others
      2. Making Presentations with a Mobile Computer
      3. Remote Assistance
      4. Online Meeting Tools
    5. 39. Remote Desktop and Remote Access
      1. Using Your Computer Remotely
      2. Setting Up Access to Your Own Computer
      3. Connecting to Other Computers with Remote Desktop
      4. Using the Standard Remote Desktop Client
      5. Third-Party Remote Control Tools
  20. Appendixes
    1. A. Virtualization
      1. Windows 8.1 as a Host: Running Other Operating Systems Inside Windows 8.1
      2. Windows 8.1 as a Guest: Running Windows 8.1 Inside Other Operating Systems
      3. Booting a VHD File on Hardware
    2. B. Command-Line Utilities
      1. Working with Disk Management Tools
      2. Working with File and Folder Management Tools
      3. Working with System Management Tools
      4. Working with Users, Groups, and Shares
      5. Working with Network Troubleshooting Tools
  21. Index