Chapter 5. Getting Help

Windows Vista may be better than any version of Windows before it, but improving something means changing it. And in Windows Vista, a lot has changed; otherwise, you probably wouldn't be reading a book about it.

Fortunately, help is just around the corner—of the Start menu, that is. Windows now has a completely new electronic Help system; some of its "articles" even offer links that perform certain tasks for you. It may take all weekend, but eventually you should find written information about this or that Windows feature or problem.

This chapter covers not only the Help system, but also some of the ways Vista can help you get help from a more experienced person via your network or the Internet.

Navigating the Help System

All Versions

To open the Help system, choose Start→Help and Support, or press F1. The Help and Support window appears, as shown in Figure 5-1. From here, you can home in on the help screen you want using one of two methods: clicking your way from the Help home page, or using the Search command.

The Back, Forward, Home, and Search controls on the Help system's toolbar may look like the corresponding tools in a Web browser, but they refer only to your travels within the Help system. Other buttons at the top let you print a help article or change the type size.

Figure 5-1. The Back, Forward, Home, and Search controls on the Help system's toolbar may look like the corresponding tools in a Web browser, but they refer only to your travels within the Help system. Other buttons at the top let you print a help article or change the type size.

Help Home Page

The home page shown in Figure 5-1 contains three basic areas:

Get Windows Vista: The Missing Manual now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial