Easy Windows° 8

Easy Windows° 8

Released October 2012
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780133118087

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

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

Start your free trial

Book description

See it done. do it yourself.

It’s that Easy! Easy Windows 8 teaches you the fundamentals to help you get the most from Windows 8. Fully illustrated steps with simple instructions guide you through each task, building the skills you need to perform the most common tasks with Windows. No need to feel intimidated; we’ll hold your hand every step of the way.

In Full Color

Learn how to…

• Use the new Windows Start screen, tiles, and touch interface

• Connect with everyone you care about, through Windows 8’s free apps

• Speed web browsing with new Internet Explorer 10 tools and tips

• Enjoy and organize all your music, videos, and photos

• Get free apps at the new Windows Store

• Share what you want to share—and nothing else

• Network your home safely, reliably, and painlessly

• Play free Windows 8 games and connect to your Xbox 360

• Fix problems and keep your computer running fast

Category: Windows Operating System

Covers: Windows 8

User Level: Beginner

The Least You Need to Know

Windows 8’s new tile-based interface and improved desktop provide a great balance of easy

access to media and news and robust system management. To discover some of the most useful

features included in Windows 8, see the suggestions below.

Start Screen with Live Tiles

Windows 8’s new Start screen puts you just a click away from your favorite media, web browsing, games, messaging, and more. Live tiles display current weather, top news headlines,

your favorite photos, and more. Whether you use a mouse, touchpad, or touch screen, Start screen makes work and play easier.

Instant, Intelligent Search

Want to find an app, setting, or file? Just start typing. Windows 8 instantly displays the results. Click Apps, Settings, or Files to filter the results.

The Windows Store Is Open for Business

Get free and paid apps made especially for Windows 8 from the Windows Store online. Easy updates and reinstallation as needed.

Supercharged File Management

The new File Explorer makes file management easier than ever before. It runs from the Windows desktop and includes enhanced file copy/move and new pinned location features.

Easy File Protection with File History

The new File History feature makes it easy to back up your files and restore a file if it’s lost, damaged, or replaced by a different version.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Contents
  5. About the Author
  6. Dedication
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. We Want to Hear from You!
  9. Reader Services
  10. Introduction
    1. Why This Book Was Written
    2. How to Read Easy Windows 8
    3. Beyond the Table of Contents—What’s Inside
  11. Part I. Introducing Windows 8
    1. Chapter 1. What’s New in Windows 8
      1. Windows 8 Start Screen
      2. Live Tiles
      3. Enhanced Desktop Search
      4. Settings Menu
      5. Switcher
      6. Internet Explorer 10
      7. Windows Store for Apps
      8. Integrated Apps
      9. Windows 8 Shortcut Keys
    2. Chapter 2. Upgrading to Windows 8
      1. Starting the Installation
      2. Completing the Installation
  12. Part II. Using the New Windows 8 Interface
    1. Chapter 3. Essential Windows 8 Tasks
      1. Logging In to Windows 8
      2. Using the On-Screen Keyboard to Log In
      3. Moving Around the Start Screen
      4. Opening the Windows 8 Charms Bar
      5. Using the Touch Keyboard
      6. Entering Emoticons and Special Symbols
      7. Using a Stylus for Handwriting
      8. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      9. Locking and Unlocking Your PC
      10. Choosing Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart
    2. Chapter 4. Using the Windows 8 User Interface
      1. The Windows 8 Start Screen
      2. Opening an App
      3. Switching Between Apps
      4. Comparing Apps with Desktop Programs
      5. Viewing All Apps
      6. Zooming the Start Screen
      7. Moving App Tiles
      8. Working with the Charms Bar
      9. Searching for Apps and Programs
      10. Searching for Files
      11. Viewing Settings
      12. Finding Help with Windows 8
    3. Chapter 5. Browsing the Web in the New UI
      1. Starting IE10 from the Start Screen
      2. Entering a Website Address (URL)
      3. Working with Tabs in IE10
      4. Creating a New Tab in IE10
      5. Using InPrivate Browsing
      6. Reopening a Frequently Used Web Page
      7. Removing an Entry from the Frequent List
      8. Pinning a Page to the Start Screen
      9. Unpinning a Page from the Start Screen
      10. Closing a Tab in IE10
      11. Closing IE10
      12. Viewing a Page on the Windows Desktop
    4. Chapter 6. Enjoying Media with the Windows 8 UI
      1. Playing Music
      2. Viewing Video
      3. Buying Music and Videos
      4. Viewing Pictures
      5. Uploading Photos with SkyDrive
      6. Grabbing Photos with Your Webcam
    5. Chapter 7. Staying Connected with Windows 8 Apps
      1. Setting Up Email Accounts
      2. Reading and Replying to Emails
      3. Creating a New Email Message
      4. Attaching a File to a Message
      5. Chatting with the Messaging App
      6. Adding Contacts with the People App
      7. Viewing Your Calendar
      8. Scheduling Appointments with Calendar
      9. Finding Locations with the Maps App
      10. Checking Weather with the Weather App
    6. Chapter 8. Customizing the Windows 8 Start Screen
      1. Pinning a Website to the Start Screen
      2. Pinning a Folder to the Start Screen
      3. Relocating Tiles on the Start Screen
      4. Unpinning an Object from the Start Screen
      5. Adjusting the Size of Start Screen Tiles
      6. Turning Live Tiles Off and On
      7. Personalizing the Lock Screen
      8. Personalizing the Start Screen
      9. Changing Time Zone Settings
      10. Choosing a Photo for Your Account Picture
    7. Chapter 9. Using the Windows 8 Store
      1. Going to the Store
      2. Installing an App
      3. Removing an App
      4. Searching for an App
      5. Rating an App
      6. Updating Apps
      7. Adding a Payment Method to Your Account
    8. Chapter 10. Playing Games with Windows 8
      1. Shopping for Games in the Microsoft Store
      2. Using the Games App
      3. Adding an Xbox Game
      4. Playing a Game
      5. Finding Game Options
  13. Part III. Using the Windows 8 Desktop
    1. Chapter 11. Running Desktop Apps
      1. Opening the All Apps Screen
      2. Searching for “Hidden” Apps
      3. Starting a Desktop App from the All Apps Screen
      4. Pinning a Desktop App to the Start Screen
      5. Switching Between the Windows 8 UI and Desktop Apps
      6. Using WordPad
      7. Using Paint
      8. Printing
      9. Adding an App to the Desktop Taskbar
    2. Chapter 12. Managing Storage with File Explorer
      1. Starting File Explorer
      2. Introduction to File Explorer
      3. Introduction to Ribbon Menus
      4. Managing Libraries
      5. Copying and Moving Files or Folders
      6. Dealing with File/Folder Name Conflicts
      7. Burning Data Discs
      8. Selecting, Viewing, and Grouping Options
      9. Creating Zip Files with the Share Tab
      10. Using Frequent Places
      11. Viewing File Properties
    3. Chapter 13. Networking Your Home with HomeGroup
      1. Connecting to an Unsecured Public Wireless Network
      2. Connecting to a Secured Private Network
      3. Disconnecting and Other Network Options
      4. Connecting to a Hidden Network
      5. Creating a HomeGroup from the Start Screen
      6. Viewing the Password for Your HomeGroup
      7. Joining a HomeGroup from the Start Screen
      8. Opening the Network and Internet Window in Control Panel
      9. Setting Up a HomeGroup from Network and Internet
      10. Joining a HomeGroup from Network and Internet
      11. Opening HomeGroup Files
      12. Customized Sharing for Folders You Choose
      13. Viewing a Folder’s Sharing Settings
      14. Leaving a HomeGroup from the PC Settings Screen
    4. Chapter 14. Working with Photos from Your Desktop
      1. Adding Pictures to Your Pictures Library
      2. Importing Pictures
      3. Selecting Import Options
      4. Changing Picture Settings
      5. Making a Copy of a Photo
      6. Using Windows Photo Viewer
      7. Printing Photos with Windows Photo Viewer
      8. Installing Microsoft SkyDrive
      9. Copying Files to SkyDrive
      10. Sharing Photos on SkyDrive
    5. Chapter 15. Working with Music from Your Desktop
      1. Starting Windows Media Player
      2. Playing an Audio CD
      3. Using Playback Controls in Windows Media Player
      4. Ripping (Copying) an Audio CD
      5. Selecting and Playing Albums and Individual Tracks
      6. Using Visualizations
      7. Setting Up Playlists
      8. Syncing Files to a Media Player
      9. Burning (Creating) a Music CD
    6. Chapter 16. Browsing the Internet from Your Desktop
      1. Starting IE10 from the Desktop
      2. Entering a Website Address (URL)
      3. Working with Tabs
      4. Setting Your Home Page
      5. Opening a Link
      6. Using Page Zoom
      7. Previewing and Printing a Web Page
      8. Opening the Favorites Center
      9. Adding Favorites to the Favorites Bar
      10. Adding Favorites to the Favorites Center
      11. Organizing Favorites
      12. Saving a Tab Group as a Favorite
      13. Opening a Favorite Website or Tab Group
      14. Using Accelerators
      15. Using InPrivate Browsing from the Desktop
      16. Managing Popups
      17. Setting Internet Privacy Features
      18. Deleting Selected Items from Your History List
      19. Deleting All Items from Your History List
      20. Saving a Web Page
    7. Chapter 17. Adding and Using Multimedia Features
      1. Adding Windows Essentials 2012
      2. First-Time Startup of Windows Essentials 2012 Programs
      3. Displaying Your Photos by Folder and Date
      4. Creating a Movie from Your Slide Show with Movie Maker
      5. Adding Audio to Your Video or Slide Show
      6. Adding Windows Media Center
      7. An Overview of Windows Media Center
  14. Part IV. Managing Windows 8
    1. Chapter 18. Advanced Configuration Options
      1. Adding and Using an Additional Display
      2. Personalizing Your Desktop Background
      3. Selecting a Standard Window Color
      4. Creating a Customized Window Color
      5. Selecting a Screen Saver
      6. Saving a Desktop Theme
      7. Snapping Apps
      8. Managing Devices and Printers from the Windows Desktop
      9. Changing Default Settings for Media and Devices
    2. Chapter 19. User Accounts and System Security
      1. Setting Up an Additional User with Windows 8
      2. Changing an Account Type
      3. Setting Up PIN Number Access
      4. Enabling Parental Controls with Family Safety
      5. Reviewing Parental Controls (Family Safety) Logs
      6. Setting Up and Using a Picture Password
    3. Chapter 20. Protecting Your System
      1. Looking at User Account Control
      2. Configuring Windows Update
      3. Protecting Your Files with File History
      4. Recovering Files with File History
      5. Checking Security Settings with Windows Action Center
      6. Checking for Viruses and Spyware with Windows Defender
      7. Setting Windows Defender Options
    4. Chapter 21. System Maintenance and Performance
      1. Displaying System Information
      2. Selecting a Power Scheme
      3. Using ReadyBoost
      4. Viewing Disk Information
      5. Checking Drives for Errors
      6. Testing Memory
      7. Scheduling Tasks
      8. Using Windows Troubleshooters
      9. Opening the Troubleshoot Startup Menu
      10. Using System Restore
      11. Using Refresh
  15. Glossary
  16. Index
  17. Online Content
    1. Appendix A. Windows Essentials 2012
      1. Components in Windows Essentials 2012
      2. For More Information
    2. Appendix B. Windows Media Center
      1. Customizing Windows Media Center
      2. For More Information

Product information

  • Title: Easy Windows° 8
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: October 2012
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 9780133118087