Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, 2nd Edition

Table of contents

1. Microsoft® Windows® XP Plain & Simple, Second Edition
2. Acknowledgments
3. 1. About This Book
   1. No Computerese!
      1. Useful Tasks...
      2. ...And the Easiest Way to Do Them
   2. A Quick Overview
   3. What’s New in Windows XP?
   4. A Few Assumptions
   5. A Final Word (or Two)
4. 2. Jump Right In
   1. Starting Up and Shutting Down
      1. Start Windows XP
      2. Shut Down Your Computer
   2. Switching Users
      1. Change Users
   3. Starting a Program
      1. Start a Program
   4. Accessing Your Documents
      1. Open My Documents
      2. Open Any Folder
   5. Switching Among Open Windows
      1. Select a Window
   6. Managing Windows
      1. Use the Buttons to Switch Between Sizes
      2. Use the Mouse to Resize a Window
      3. Move a Window
   7. Getting Help
      1. Use the Help And Support Center
      2. Use Program Help
      3. Use Dialog Box Help
   8. Using Shortcut Menus for Quick Results
      1. Use a Shortcut Menu Command
5. 3. Running Programs and Playing Games
   1. Composing a Document
      1. Create a Document
      2. Format the Document
   2. Saving, Closing, and Opening a Document
      1. Save a Document
      2. Close a Document
      3. Open a Document
   3. Copying Material Between Documents
      1. Copy and Insert Material
   4. Inserting Special Characters
      1. Find and Insert a Character
   5. Crunching Numbers
      1. Use the Calculator
      2. Make Complex Calculations
   6. Having the Computer Wake You Up
      1. Set the Alarm
      2. Shut Off the Alarm
      3. Customize the Alarm
   7. Running Commands
      1. Run a Command
      2. Find a Command
      3. Get Information About a Command
   8. Playing FreeCell
      1. Play FreeCell
   9. Playing Hearts
      1. Play Hearts
   10. Playing HyperBowl
       1. Go Bowling
   11. Playing Labyrinth
       1. Move Through the Maze
   12. Playing Minesweeper
       1. Play Minesweeper
   13. Playing Pinball
       1. Play Pinball
   14. Playing Russian Squares
       1. Play Russian Squares
   15. Playing Solitaire
       1. Play Solitaire
   16. Playing Spider Solitaire
       1. Play Spider Solitaire
   17. Playing Games over the Internet
       1. Play a Game
   18. Running Older Programs
       1. Set the Compatibility
   19. Starting a Program When Windows Starts
       1. Add a Program to the Startup Submenu
   20. Changing the Way a Program Starts
       1. Modify the Shortcut
   21. Quitting When You’re Stuck
       1. End the Task
6. 4. Exploring the Internet
   1. Finding a Web Page
      1. Explore
   2. Setting Your Home Page
      1. Reset the Home Page
   3. Returning to Your Favorite Sites
      1. Save a Location
      2. Return to a Location
      3. Access Your Frequently Visited Sites
   4. Going to a Specific Web Page
      1. Specify an Address
   5. Saving a Web Page
      1. Save a Web Page
   6. Viewing Web Pages Off Line
      1. Store a Web Page
      2. View an Offline Web Page
      3. Synchronize Your Offline Web Pages
   7. Controlling Pop-Up Windows
      1. Use the Pop-Up Manager
   8. Copying Material from a Web Page
      1. Save a Picture
      2. Save Some Text
   9. Transferring Files with FTP
      1. Transfer Files
   10. Finding Something on the Internet
       1. Search for an Item
   11. Transferring Your Settings
       1. Save the Information
       2. Transfer the Information
7. 5. Communicating
   1. Sending E-Mail
      1. Create a Message
   2. Saving and Sending a Draft Message
      1. Create a Draft
      2. Send the Draft
   3. Receiving and Reading E-Mail
      1. Read Your Messages
   4. Using E-Mail on a Public Computer
      1. Check the Mail
   5. Designing Your Default Message
      1. Add a Signature
      2. Specify Your Stationery
   6. Sending or Receiving a File
      1. Send a File by E-Mail
      2. Receive an Attachment
   7. Replying to or Forwarding a Message
      1. Reply to or Forward a Message
   8. Subscribing to Newsgroups
      1. Specify Your Newsgroups
   9. Reading and Writing the News
      1. Select a Message
   10. Reading E-Mail and News Off Line
       1. Download the Messages
   11. Limiting E-Mail Snooping
       1. Block the Pictures
   12. Managing Your Messages
       1. Create Your Rules
   13. Managing Your E-Mail Contacts
       1. Create a New Contact
       2. Add an Address from a Message
       3. Create a Group
   14. Adding Online Contacts
       1. Add a Contact
   15. Sending Instant Messages
       1. Have a Conversation On Line
   16. Having a Voice and Video Chat
       1. Have a Chat
   17. Sharing Items with Your Contacts
       1. Share a Program or a Folder
       2. Use the Shared Item
   18. Receiving Alerts
       1. Read Your Alerts
   19. Sending a File by Windows Messenger
       1. Send a File
   20. Formatting and Sending Your Message
       1. Format the Text
       2. Use Emoticons
8. 6. Working with Pictures and Movies
   1. Drawing a Picture
      1. Create a Picture
      2. Use the Tools
   2. Editing a Picture
      1. Crop a Picture
      2. Modify a Picture’s Size, Shape, or Color
   3. Scanning a Picture
      1. Set Up a Picture
      2. Scan the Picture
   4. Downloading Digital Camera Pictures
      1. Download Pictures
      2. Manage the Camera and the Pictures
   5. Viewing Pictures
      1. View All the Pictures
      2. Preview a Single Picture
   6. Creating a Video Slide Show
      1. Set Up the Story
      2. Record the Story
   7. Editing Your Video Slide Show
      1. Edit the Story
      2. Customize a Picture
   8. Sharing Your Video Slide Show
      1. Create Your VCD
   9. Publishing Pictures on the Web
      1. Publish Your Pictures
   10. Creating a Quick Movie
       1. Preview Your Video Clips
       2. Create the Movie
   11. Creating a Custom Movie
       1. Set Up the Movie
   12. Splitting, Combining, and Trimming Clips
       1. Customize Your Clips
   13. Adding Transitions to Your Movie
       1. Add the Transitions
   14. Using Video Effects
       1. Add the Effects
   15. Adding Titles and Credits
       1. Add the Title
       2. Add the Credits
   16. Adding Audio to Your Movie
       1. Create a Narration
       2. Add a Soundtrack
   17. Adding Slides to Your Movie
       1. Add Slides
   18. Recording Video Clips
       1. Record the Video
   19. Downloading a Video from a Digital Camera
       1. Download the Video
       2. Download Selected Clips
   20. Playing a DVD
       1. Set the Defaults
       2. Customize the Play
   21. Controlling Video Playback
       1. Adjust the Playback
9. 7. Working with Music, Voice, and Sounds
   1. Playing a Music CD
      1. Play a CD
   2. Downloading Music Information
      1. Set Up Automatic Downloading
   3. Changing Media Player’s Skin
      1. Change Its Skin
   4. Playing Any Media File
      1. Start Playing
      2. Change the Play Order
   5. Arranging Your Media with Playlists
      1. Create a Playlist
      2. Create an Auto Playlist
   6. Copying CD Music
      1. Copy the Music
      2. Create a Music CD
   7. Labeling Your CDs
      1. Create the Labels
   8. Transferring Music to a Portable Device
      1. Manage the Music
   9. Playing Music for a Party
      1. Set the Party Mode
      2. Party!
   10. Converting Music Formats
       1. Find the Files
       2. Convert the Files
   11. Recording Analog Music
       1. Record Your Music
       2. Save the Tracks
   12. Talking to Media Player
       1. Set It Up
   13. Adding Dancers to Your Desktop
       1. Add Dancers
   14. Letting Your Computer Do the Talking
       1. Listen to Narrator
   15. Creating a Sound File
       1. Record Sounds
       2. Add Sounds and Effects
   16. Controlling the Volume
       1. Set the Master Volume Level
       2. Set the Volume for Individual Devices
       3. Set the Recording Volume
   17. Associating a Sound with an Event
       1. Use an Existing Sound Scheme
       2. Create a Sound Scheme
10. 8. Printing and Faxing
    1. Printing from a Program
       1. Print a Document
    2. Printing a Document
       1. Print a Document Using the Default Printer
       2. Print a Document Using a Specific Printer
    3. Specifying a Default Printer
       1. Change the Default
    4. Controlling Your Printing
       1. View the Queue
       2. Stop the Presses
    5. Printing Your Photographs
       1. Print the Pictures
    6. Printing Web Pages
       1. Check the Layout
    7. Sending a Fax
       1. Fax a Single-Page Note
       2. Fax a Document
    8. Receiving a Fax
       1. Receive a Fax Manually
    9. Reviewing a Fax You’ve Received
       1. Read a Fax
    10. Viewing and Annotating a Fax
        1. View a Fax
        2. Annotate the Fax
    11. Creating a Fax Cover Page
        1. Create a Cover Page
11. 9. Managing Files and Folders
    1. Organizing Your Files
       1. Move or Copy a File
       2. Rename a File
       3. Rename a Group of Files
    2. Recovering a Deleted Item
       1. Undo a Deletion
       2. Restore an Item
    3. Changing the Window View
       1. Choose a View
       2. Arrange the Information
    4. Compressing Files
       1. Create a Compressed Folder
       2. Use a Compressed File
    5. Adding Files and Folders to the Desktop
       1. Add a File
       2. Add a Folder
       3. Save a File to the Desktop
       4. Save Part of a File to the Desktop
    6. Sharing Files with Other Users
       1. Share a File
    7. Creating Quick Access to a File or Folder
       1. Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder
    8. Copying Files from and to a Removable Disk
       1. Copy Files from a Disk
       2. Copy Files to a Disk
    9. Managing a Removable Disk
       1. Check the Amount of Space on a Disk
       2. Format a Disk
    10. Copying Files to a CD
        1. Gather and Copy Your Files and Folders
        2. Organize the CD
        3. Create the CD
    11. Finding a File
        1. Find a File
        2. Use the Results
    12. Navigating with Toolbars
        1. Display a Toolbar
        2. See All the Buttons
12. 10. Networking
    1. Exploring Your Network
       1. Connect to a Shared Folder
       2. Connect to a Computer
       3. Connect to a Computer in a Different Workgroup
    2. Sharing Items over the Network
       1. Share a File
       2. Share a Folder
       3. Share a Printer
    3. Creating a Connection to a Network Folder
       1. Assign a Drive
    4. Controlling a Shared Dial-Up Internet Connection
       1. Configure the Connection
       2. End the Connection
    5. Communicating over the Network
       1. Start NetMeeting
       2. Connect to a Computer
    6. Controlling a Computer on Your Network
       1. Share the Desktop
       2. Connect to the Computer
    7. Controlling a Computer at Your Workplace
       1. Connect to the Computer
       2. Control the Computer
    8. Connecting to a Network Using a Modem
       1. Create the Dial-Up Connection
       2. Connect
    9. Connecting to a Network over the Internet
       1. Create the VPN Connection
       2. Connect
    10. Connecting to a Wireless Network
        1. Connect to an Open-Access Network
        2. Connect to a Secure Network
    11. Connecting to Your Computer from Another Location
        1. Create an Incoming Connection
13. 11. Setting Up
    1. Transferring Files and Settings
       1. Set Up the Computers
       2. Transfer the Information
    2. Adding or Removing Windows Components
       1. Add or Remove a Component Group
       2. Add or Remove an Item in a Component Group
    3. Setting Your Default Programs
       1. Set a Program to Always Open a File
       2. Set the System Defaults
    4. Installing a Software Program
       1. Install a Program
    5. Setting Up Dial-Up Internet Access
       1. Set Up a Connection
    6. Setting Up Outlook Express
       1. Set Up Your E-Mail Account
       2. Add an Account
    7. Setting Up for Faxing
       1. Set the Options
    8. Setting Up a Printer
       1. Set Up a Printer
    9. Setting Up a Network
       1. Set Up the Host Computer
       2. Set Up a Network Client
    10. Adding Hardware
        1. Set Up the Hardware
14. 12. Customizing
    1. Changing the Overall Look
       1. Switch to the Classic Windows Look
       2. Customize the Look
    2. Customizing the Desktop
       1. Use a Background Color
       2. Use a Picture
       3. Display and Customize the Desktop Icons
    3. Customizing Your Mouse
       1. Set the Buttons
       2. Set the Mouse Pointer
    4. Creating a Custom Desktop Background
       1. Add Web Content
    5. Displaying and Arranging the Toolbars
       1. Display a Toolbar
       2. Move It
    6. Customizing the Start Menu
       1. Choose and Customize the Style
       2. Add or Remove a Start Menu Program
       3. Add a Shortcut to an Item to the Start Menu
    7. Customizing the Taskbar
       1. Customize the Taskbar
    8. Changing the Logon
       1. Change to the Traditional Logon
       2. Log On
    9. Customizing Your Folders
       1. Change the Way All the Folders Work
       2. Change the Look of a Folder
       3. Change the Content That’s Shown
    10. Changing the Way a CD Starts
        1. Set the AutoPlay
    11. Changing Your Account Picture
        1. Change Your Picture
    12. Using Alternative Ways of Working
        1. Set the Options
        2. Use More Tools
    13. Working in a Different Part of the World
        1. Change the Default Region
        2. Add Language Support
    14. Using a Screen Saver
        1. Choose a Screen Saver
        2. Create a Custom Screen Saver
    15. Creating a Multimedia Screen Saver
        1. Create Your Screen-Saver Slide Show
15. 13. Maintaining Security
    1. Keeping Your Files Private
       1. Keep the My Documents Folder Private
    2. Setting Your Password
       1. Create a Password
    3. Changing Your Password
       1. Change Your Password
    4. Resetting Your Password
       1. Create a Password Reset Disk
       2. Reset Your Password
    5. Protecting Your Files with a Password
       1. Encrypt a Compressed Folder
    6. Restricting User Rights
       1. Change the Type of Access
       2. Use the Guest Account
    7. Locking Your Computer
       1. Lock the Computer
    8. Protecting Personal Information on the Internet
       1. Set Your Profile
       2. Control Those Cookies
    9. Setting Internet Explorer Security
       1. Set Your Security
    10. Restricting Internet Access
        1. Set the Restrictions
    11. Monitoring Your Security Settings
        1. Check Your Primary Settings
        2. Check Your Other Settings
    12. Configuring the Windows Firewall
        1. Configure the Firewall
        2. Allow or Block Program Access
    13. Creating Custom Access Across the Firewall
        1. Add Program Access
        2. Add a Port
    14. Using Windows Services Across the Firewall
        1. Designate the Service
        2. Enable ICMP
    15. Installing Critical Fixes
        1. Configure Your Downloading
        2. Download an Update
        3. Install an Update
    16. Using a Digital ID for Secure E-Mail Messages
        1. Set Up Your Security
        2. Exchange Digital IDs
    17. Securing Your Wireless Network
        1. Configure Your Security
        2. Configure Your Network
    18. Foiling E-Mail Viruses
        1. Protect Yourself and Others
16. 14. Managing Windows XP
    1. Adding and Deleting User Accounts
       1. Add an Account
       2. Delete an Account
    2. Tidying Up the Desktop
       1. Start the Cleanup
    3. Changing the Date or Time
       1. Change the Date or Time
    4. Changing the Display
       1. Increase the Screen Area
    5. Changing the Disk Format
       1. Convert the Disk
    6. Compressing a Drive or a Folder
       1. Compress a Drive
       2. Compress a File or a Folder
    7. Maintaining Your Hard Disk
       1. Maintain a Drive
    8. Preventing Hardware Problems
       1. Prevent a Problem
    9. Controlling the Power Options
       1. Use a Power Scheme
       2. Set Advanced Options
       3. Set Battery Options
       4. Set Other Options
    10. Updating Your System
        1. Select Your Updates
    11. Checking the Status of Windows
        1. Check the Status
    12. Getting Free Software
        1. Download the Software
    13. Removing a Software Program
        1. Uninstall a Program
    14. Managing Internet Explorer Add-Ons
        1. Manage the Add-Ons
        2. Troubleshoot the Add-Ons
    15. Starting Up When There’s a Problem
        1. Control the Startup
    16. Fixing System Problems
        1. Restore the System
    17. Documenting Your System
        1. Get the Information
    18. Managing Everything
        1. Use the Console
    19. Tweaking Your System
        1. Set Up Your Tools
        2. Use the Tools
    20. Helping Each Other
        1. Ask for Help
        2. Give Help
    21. Backing Up Your Files
        1. Back Up Your Files
        2. Set the Backup Options
    22. Restoring Backed-Up Files
        1. Restore the Files
    23. Editing Windows XP Settings
        1. Edit the Registry
17. About the Authors
18. Index
19. About the Authors
20. Copyright