Book description
Learn how to conquer Windows Vista—from the inside out! This book packs hundreds of timesaving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and workarounds, all in concise, fast-answer format. Includes a companion CD.
Table of contents
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Windows Vista™ Inside Out
- SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with O’Reilly
- A Note Regarding Supplemental Files
- Acknowledgments
- Conventions and Features Used in This Book
- About the CD
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I. Setup and Startup
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1. What’s New in Windows Vista
- Introducing the Windows Vista Family
- The Windows Vista Interface: Up Close and Personalized
- Searching, Sharing, and Other File Management Tasks
- Windows Vista Security at a Glance
- Digital Media Essentials
- Inside Internet Explorer 7
- Mail and Collaboration
- Performance and Reliability
- And Much, Much More...
- 2. Installing and Configuring Windows Vista
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3. Personalizing Windows Vista
- Customizing the Aero User Interface
- Turning Aero Off
- Modifying the Predefined Color Schemes
- Making Text Easier to Read
- Customizing the Desktop Background
- Choosing a Screen Saver
- Changing the Way Events Are Mapped to Sounds
- Customizing Mouse Pointers
- Saving Your Settings as a Theme
- Configuring Screen Resolution
- Configuring a Multi-Monitor Display
- Configuring Desktop Icons
- Using and Customizing Windows Sidebar
- Personalizing the Start Menu
- Launching Programs with the Quick Launch Toolbar
- Customizing the Taskbar
- Controlling the Display of Icons in the Notification Area
- Using Additional Toolbars
- Setting Default Programs, File Type Associations, and AutoPlay Options
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4. Adding, Removing, and Managing Programs
- Dealing with User Account Control (UAC)
- Dealing with Compatibility Issues
- Installing Programs on 64-bit Versions of Windows
- Creating and Customizing Program Shortcuts
- Managing Startup Programs
- Managing Running Programs and Processes with Windows Task Manager
- Running a Program as an Administrator or Another User
- Uninstalling Programs
- 5. Setting Up and Troubleshooting Hardware
- 6. Using Internet Explorer 7
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7. Finding and Organizing Files and Information
- What’s What in Windows Explorer
- Navigating in Windows Explorer
- Working with Properties in the Details Pane
- Managing User Profiles
- Relocating Personal Data Folders
- Using and Configuring Search and Indexing
- Restoring Files and Folders with Previous Versions
- Recovering Files and Folders with the Recycle Bin
- Maximizing Storage Space with NTFS Compression and Compressed (Zipped) Folders
- 8. E-Mail, Collaboration, and Personal Productivity
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9. Obtaining Help and Support
- Using Windows Help And Support
- Connecting to Another PC with Windows Remote Assistance
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1. What’s New in Windows Vista
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II. Security and Networking
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10. Security Essentials
- Understanding Security Threats
- What’s New in Windows Vista
- Preventing Unsafe Actions with User Account Control
- Monitoring Security in Windows Vista
- Blocking Intruders with Windows Firewall
- Keeping Your System Secure with Windows Update
- Blocking Viruses and Worms with an Antivirus Program
- Stopping Spyware with Windows Defender
- Controlling Your Children’s Computer Access
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11. Managing User Accounts, Passwords, and Logons
- Introducing Windows Security
- Working with User Accounts
- Setting a Logon Password
- Managing the Logon Process
- What Happened to the Administrator Account?
- Learning About Your Own Account with Whoami
- Advanced Account Setup Options
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12. Setting Up a Small Network
- Capabilities of a Small Network
- What’s New in Windows Vista
- Using Network And Sharing Center
- Hardware, Cabling, and Connections
- Setting Up a Wireless Network
- Setting Up a Shared Internet Connection
- Exploring the Network
- Understanding Location Types
- Changing Network Settings
- Managing Network Connections
- 13. Managing Shared Folders and Printers
- 14. Tweaking and Troubleshooting a Small Network
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10. Security Essentials
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III. Digital Media
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15. Digital Media Essentials
- Using Windows Media Player
- Customizing the Player’s Look and Feel
- Using Plug-Ins and Extensions
- Adding and Updating Codecs
- Which File Formats Are Supported?
- Managing Your Media Library
- Using Media Center
- Synchronizing and Sharing Media with Portable Devices
- Understanding and Protecting Your Digital Rights
- Security and Privacy Issues
- 16. Playing and Organizing a Digital Music Collection
- 17. Viewing, Organizing, and Sharing Digital Photos
- 18. Creating and Watching Movies and DVDs
- 19. Using Windows Media Center
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15. Digital Media Essentials
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IV. System Maintenance and Management
- 20. Performing Routine Maintenance
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21. Tuning Up and Monitoring Performance
- Basic Strategies for Improving Performance
- Taking Performance Snapshots
- Monitoring Performance in Real Time
- 22. Monitoring System Activities With Event Viewer
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23. Troubleshooting Windows Errors
- Configuring and Using Windows Error Reporting
- Reviewing the Error History with the Reliability Monitor
- Reviewing the Error History with Event Viewer
- Rolling Back to a Stable State with System Restore
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Dealing with Stop Errors
- Customizing How Windows Handles Stop Errors
- How to Read a Stop Error
- General Advice for Dealing with Stop Errors
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Troubleshooting Specific Stop Errors
- STOP 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- STOP 0x0000001E or KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- STOP 0x00000024 or NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
- STOP 0x0000002E or DATA_BUS_ERROR
- STOP 0x0000003F or NO_MORE_SYSTEM_PTES
- STOP 0x00000050 or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
- STOP 0x00000077 or KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR
- STOP 0x0000007F or UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
- STOP 0x000000C2 or BAD_POOL_CALLER
- STOP 0x000000D1 or DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- STOP 0x000000D8 or DRIVER_USED_EXCESSIVE_PTES
- STOP 0x000000EA or THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
- STOP 0x000000ED or UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
- STOP 0x000000F2 or HARDWARE_INTERRUPT_STORM
- STOP 0xC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED
- STOP 0xC00000221 or STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
- 24. Recovering From a Computer Crash
- 25. Managing Services
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26. Editing the Registry
- Understanding the Structure of the Registry
- Avoiding Registry Mishaps
- Browsing and Editing with Registry Editor
- Monitoring Registry Changes
- Using .Reg Files to Automate Registry Changes
- Working with a Remote Computer’s Registry
- Changing Registry Key Permissions
- Restricting Access to Registry Editor
- Editing the Registry from the Command Line
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V. Advanced System Maintenance
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27. Advanced Internet Explorer Security and Administration
- Working with (and Around) Protected Mode
- Using and Customizing Internet Security Zones
- Protecting Yourself from Unsafe and Unwanted Software
- Installing, Removing, and Troubleshooting Add-ons
- Managing Cookies
- Managing Internet Explorer’s Cache and History
- Blocking Objectionable Content
- Saving and Applying Internet Explorer Settings
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28. Managing Disks and Drives
- Running Disk Management
- Managing Disks from the Command Prompt
- Understanding Disk Management Terminology
- Formatting Disks
- Creating New Volumes
- Assigning or Changing a Volume Label
- Assigning and Changing Drive Letters
- Mapping a Volume to an NTFS Folder
- Changing Volume Sizes
- Deleting a Volume
- Checking the Properties and Status of Disks and Volumes
- 29. Controlling Access to Files and Folders
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30. Automating Windows Vista
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Using the Windows Vista Task Scheduler
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Creating a Task
- Creating a Task to Run with Elevated Privileges
- Creating a Hidden Task
- Configuring a Task to Run in a Different Operating System
- Setting Up a Task’s Trigger or Triggers
- Setting Up a Task’s Action or Actions
- Starting and Running a Task Only If the Computer Is Idle
- Requiring AC Power
- Waking the Computer to Run a Task
- Requiring a Network Connection
- Running a Task on Demand
- Scheduling Tasks with the Schtasks Command
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Creating a Task
- Automating Command Sequences with Batch Programs
- Automating Tasks with Windows Script Host
- Finding Resources for Windows PowerShell
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Using the Windows Vista Task Scheduler
- 31. Advanced Security Management
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27. Advanced Internet Explorer Security and Administration
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VI. Appendices
- A. Windows Vista Editions at a Glance
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B. Working with the Command Prompt
- Starting and Ending a Command Prompt Session
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Using Commands
- Starting Programs
- Using Command Extensions
- Using File-Name and Folder-Name Completion
- Using Cmd’s Command-Line Syntax
- Editing the Command Line
- Using Wildcards
- Using Command Symbols
- The Redirection Symbols
- Redirecting Input and Output
- Pausing or Canceling Commands
- Simplifying Command Entry with Doskey Macros
- Using Environment Variables
- Customizing Command Prompt Windows
- C. Using and Customizing Microsoft Management Console
- D. Viewing System Information
- E. About the Authors
- F. Additional Resources for Home and Business
- G. Choose the Right Book for You
- Index
- SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with O’Reilly
Product information
- Title: Windows Vista™ Inside Out
- Author(s):
- Release date: January 2007
- Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
- ISBN: 9780735622708
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