book

Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual

by David Pogue

January 2007

Beginner

423 pages

9h 22m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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About the AuthorAbout the Creative TeamAcknowledgmentsThe Missing Manual SeriesFor Starters
Version ChaosAbout This BookAbout the OutlineAbout→These→ArrowsAbout
About WindowsMouse and Keyboard EssentialsThe Right Mouse Button is KingWizards = InterviewsThere’s More Than One Way to Do EverythingYou Can Use the Keyboard for EverythingYou Could Spend a Lifetime Changing PropertiesEvery Piece of Hardware Requires SoftwareIt’s Not Meant to Be Overwhelming
The Welcome CenterThe Vista Desktop—Now with Aero!The Start MenuAnatomy of the Start MenuWhat’s in the Start MenuSearch BoxAll ProgramsFoldersThe Startup folderStart→ (Sleep)Start→ (Lock)Start→Log Off, Restart, Hibernate, Shut DownStart→Help and SupportStart→Default Programs, →Control PanelStart→Connect ToStart→NetworkStart→ComputerStart→Recent ItemsStart→SearchStart→GamesStart→Music, PicturesStart→DocumentsStart→[Your Name]: The Personal Folder
Universal Window ControlsExplorer Window ControlsAddress BarComponents of the Address barWhat to type into the Address barThe ToolbarColumn HeadingsOptional Window PanesSearch PaneDetails PanePreview PaneNavigation PaneFavorite Links listFolders listIcon and List ViewsSorting, Grouping, Stacking, and FilteringSorting FilesGroupingStackingFilteringSizing, Moving, and Closing WindowsMoving a WindowClosing a WindowLayering WindowsWindows Flip (Alt+Tab)Windows Flip 3DThe TaskbarThe Notification Area (System Tray)Taskbar Buttons—Now with Thumbnails!Button GroupsThe Quick Launch Toolbar
Meet Vista SearchSearch from the Start MenuResults Menu TipsExplorer-Window SearchesThe Search PaneThe Search WindowThe Folders of Windows VistaWhat’s in the Local Disk (C:) WindowUsersProgram FilesWindowsYour Personal FolderLife with IconsRenaming Your IconsIcon PropertiesComputerDisksData files and FoldersSelecting IconsUse the MouseUse the KeyboardCheckbox SelectionCopying and Moving Folders and FilesCopying by Dragging IconsThe right mouse button trickDragging icons into the Navigation paneCopying with Copy and PasteThe Recycle BinRestoring Deleted Files and FoldersEmptying the Recycle BinShortcut IconsCreating and Deleting ShortcutsBurning CDs and DVDs from the DesktopA Tale of Two FormatsBurning, Step by StepThe final steps: Mastered formatThe final steps: Live File System formatFinal Notes
Aero or NotDesktop Background (Wallpaper)Use a Microsoft PhotoUse Your PhotoScreen SaversChoosing a Screen SaverSoundsMouse MakeoverCustomizing the Start MenuStart Menu SettingsAdding Icons to the Start MenuThe “free” sections of the Start menuDragging onto the Start menuRemoving Icons from the Start MenuRenaming Start-Menu ItemsReorganizing the Start Menu
Opening ProgramsExiting ProgramsWhen Programs Die: The Task ManagerSaving DocumentsThe Save Dialog BoxSaving into Your Documents FolderSaving into Other FoldersThe File Format Drop-Down MenuClosing DocumentsThe Open Dialog BoxMoving Data Between DocumentsCut, Copy, and PasteDrag-and-DropExport/ImportThe SidebarLosing the SidebarSidebar TipsGadget CatalogCalendarClockContactsCPU MeterCurrencyNotesStocksPicture PuzzleWeatherSlide ShowMore GadgetsInstalling a gadgetUninstalling a gadgetFilename Extensions and File AssociationsDisplaying Filename ExtensionsInstalling SoftwareThe Preinstallation ChecklistInstalling Software from a CDInstalling Downloaded SoftwareInstalling Windows ComponentsUninstalling SoftwareThe Control PanelHome ViewClassic ViewDate and TimeInternet OptionsKeyboardMouseButtons tabPointers tabPointers Options tabWheel tabPower OptionsPrograms and FeaturesRegional and Language OptionsSoundPlayback and Recording tabsSounds tabSystem

Windows Photo GalleryGetting Pictures into Photo GalleryPhotos from a digital cameraThe Post-Dump SlideshowThe Digital ShoeboxThe Bigger PictureThe Navigation TreeWorking with Your PhotosSelecting PhotosDeleting PhotosThe Info Panel—and photo namesTags and RatingsApplying Tags and RatingsUsing Tags and RatingsEditing Your ShotsTen Levels of UndoAuto AdjustCroppingRed-EyeRotateExposure and Color AdjustmentsReverting to the OriginalFinding Your AudienceMake PrintsSlideshowsEmailMake a Slideshow MovieWindows Media PlayerThe Lay of the LandPlaying Music CDsRipping CDs to Your Hard DriveOrganizing Your Music LibraryPlaylistsBurning Your Own CDsCopying Music or Videos to a Portable PlayerOnline Music StoresInternet RadioDVD Movies
Broadband Connections (Cable Modems and DSL)Wireless NetworksDial-Up ConnectionsConnection ManagementThe Notification Area IconInternet SecuritySecurity CenterWindows FirewallSecurity Center and AntivirusWindows DefenderHot Spot SecurityParental Controls
IE7: The Grand TourMenus and GizmosThe Address BarTopside DoodadsWindow ControlsTabbed BrowsingShortcut-O-RamaQuick Tabs (Thumbnails)Favorites (Bookmarks)History ListRSS: The Missing ManualViewing an RSS FeedTips for Better SurfingPicking a Home PageBigger Text, Smaller TextZooming In and OutSaving PagesPrinting PagesTurn Off AnimationsInternet OptionsThe Phishing FilterPrivacy and CookiesThe Pop-up BlockerOverriding the Pop-up Block
Setting Up Windows MailSending Email Mail folders in Windows MailComposing and sending messagesThe Contacts listAttaching files to messagesReading EmailWhen Pictures are Part of the MessageHow to Process a MessageDeleting messagesReplying to MessagesForwarding MessagesPrinting MessagesFiling MessagesOpening AttachmentsJunk EmailJunk E-Mail Options
Installing a PrinterUSB PrintersNetwork PrintersThe Printer IconPrintingPrinting from ProgramsPrinting from the DesktopControlling PrintoutsSharing a PrinterPrinter TroubleshootingFontsManaging Your FontsFaxingSending a Fax from Any ProgramReceiving Faxes
External GadgetsUSB JacksOther JacksConnecting New GadgetsInstalling Cards in Expansion SlotsTroubleshooting Newly Installed GearDriver SigningThe Device ManagerRed Xs and Yellow !s: Resolving ConflictsDuplicate devicesResolving resource conflictsTurning Components OffUpdating DriversDriver Rollback
Navigating the Help SystemHelp Home PageSearch the Help PagesDrilling DownRemote AssistanceRemote Assistance: Rest AssuredRemote Assistance, Step by StepGetting Help from Microsoft
Automatic BackupsBackup HardwareCreating a BackupRestoring Files from a BackupSystem RestoreAbout Restore PointsPerforming a System RestoreWindows UpdateFiddling with Windows UpdateRemoving UpdatesFour Speed TricksSuperFetchReadyBoostShutting Off Bells and WhistlesToning Down the AeroSafe Mode and the Startup MenuStartup Repair
Introducing User AccountsAccountsAdministrator vs. Standard AccountsAdding an AccountEditing an AccountThe Forgotten Password DiskDeleting AccountsFast User SwitchingLogging OnYou Get the Windows Welcome ScreenYou Zoom Straight to the DesktopYou Get the “Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to Begin” Dialog Box
Kinds of NetworksSharing an Internet ConnectionGet a Broadband RouterUse Internet Connection SharingThe Network and Sharing Center“View computers and devices”“Connect to a network”“Manage wireless networks”“Customize”Testing the NetworkSharing FilesSharing Files: Two MethodsThe Public Folder MethodThe “Share Any Folder” MethodAccessing Shared Files
Explorer windowsInstant Search box (top of each Explorer window)Working with iconsNavigation paneWindows-key shortcutsLogin screenSecurity screenMiscellaneous/Editing

Overview

Fast-paced and easy to use, this concise book teaches you the basics of Windows Vista so you can start using this operating system right away. Written by "New York Times" columnist, bestselling author, Emmy-winning CBS News correspondent and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue, the book will help you:

Navigate the desktop, including the fast, powerful and fully integrated desktop search function
Use the Media Center to record TV and radio, present photos, play music, and record all of these to a DVD
Breeze across the Web with the vastly improved Internet Explorer 7 tabbed browser
Become familiar with Vista's beefed up security, and much more

Windows Vista is a vast improvement over its predecessors, with an appealing, glass-like visual overhaul, superior searching and organization tools, a multimedia and collaboration suite, and a massive, top-to-bottom security-shield reconstruction. Every corner of the traditional Windows operating system has been tweaked, overhauled, or replaced entirely.

Aimed at new and experienced computer users alike, Windows Vista for Starters: The Missing Manual is right there when you need it. This jargon-free book explains Vista's features quickly and clearly -- revealing which work well and which don't.