Windows 7 Plain & Simple

Windows 7 Plain & Simple

Released September 2009
Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
ISBN: 9780735634756

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Book description

Get the fast facts that make learning Windows 7 plain and simple! This no-nonsense guide uses easy, numbered steps and concise, straightforward language to show the most expedient way to perform tasks and solve problems in Windows 7.

Here’s what you’ll learn to do:

  • Run programs, control gadgets, play games.

  • Send e-mail, browse the Web, and share your files.

  • Organize your digital media, including photos, music, and videos.

  • Burn CDs and DVDs; make your own movies.

  • Set up your printer and a simple home network.

  • Manage security settings and perform easy tune-ups and fixes.



    • Here’s how you’ll learn it:

  • Jump in wherever you need answers.

  • Easy-to-follow steps and screenshots show you exactly what to do.

  • Handy tips teach you new techniques and shortcuts.

  • Quick TRY THIS! Exercises help you apply what you’ve learned right away.

    •

    Table of contents

    1. Windows 7 Plain & Simple
    2. Dedication
    3. Acknowledgments
    4. 1. About This Book
      1. No Computerspeak!
      2. A Quick Overview
      3. What's New in Windows 7?
      4. A Few Assumptions
      5. A Final Word (or Two)
    5. 2. Jump Right In
      1. What's Where in Windows 7?
      2. Starting Up
        1. Start or Wake Up a Computer
          1. How to Get Your Computer Going
      3. Leaving Your Computer
        1. Leave It
      4. Starting a Program
        1. Start a Program
          1. Frequently Used Windows 7 Programs
      5. Accessing Your Documents
        1. Open a Document
      6. Mouse and Keyboard Maneuvers
        1. Mouse Moves
        2. Keyboard Moves
        3. So Many Ways to Do It
      7. Files, Folders, and Libraries
      8. Quickly Finding a Program, File, or Folder
        1. Search for the File or Folder
      9. Searching a Specific Location
        1. Refine Your Search
      10. Accessing Everything
        1. Open Any Folder
        2. Explore
      11. Switching Among Open Windows
        1. Select a Window
        2. Switch Windows
        3. Hide the Windows
      12. Managing Windows
        1. Use the Buttons to Switch Between Sizes
        2. Use the Mouse to Move and Resize a Window
      13. Using Shortcut Menus for Quick Results
        1. Use a Shortcut Menu Command
      14. Using Jump Lists for Quick Access
        1. Use a Taskbar Jump List
        2. Use a Start Menu Jump List
      15. Getting Help
        1. Find the Information
    6. 3. Accessing and Organizing
      1. Windows Views
      2. Changing the Window View
        1. Choose a View
      3. Viewing File Information
        1. Show the information
      4. Arranging Your Files
        1. Arrange Files in a Library
        2. Sort by Field
        3. Filter or Group
      5. Classifying Your Files
        1. Add More Information
        2. Tag a File
      6. Returning to a Folder or Library
        1. Return to a Folder or Library
        2. Expand the List
      7. Creating Quick Access to a File or Folder
        1. Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder
      8. Adding Direct Access to a Folder or Library
        1. Pin a Folder
        2. Add a Link
      9. Organizing Your Files
        1. Move, Copy, or Delete a File
        2. Rename a File or Folder or a Group of Files
      10. Recovering a Deleted Item
        1. Undo a Deletion
        2. Restore an Item
      11. Navigating with Toolbars
        1. Display a Toolbar
          1. The Taskbar's Toolbars
      12. Sharing Files with Other Users
        1. Share a File or Folder
      13. Sharing with Selected Users
        1. Share a File or Folder with Selected Users
      14. Copying Files to a CD or DVD
        1. Archive Your Files
        2. Copy Files for Distribution
      15. Compressing Files
        1. Create a Compressed Folder
        2. Use a Compressed File
      16. Organizing Library Folders
        1. Add a Folder to a Library
        2. Remove a Folder from a Library
        3. Create a New Library
      17. Using a Removable Memory Device
        1. Use the Device
    7. 4. Running Programs and Gadgets
      1. Using the Ribbon
        1. Explore the Ribbon
        2. Use the Quick Access Toolbar
        3. Access More Commands
      2. Composing a Document
        1. Create a Document
        2. Format the Document
      3. Saving, Closing, and Opening a Document
        1. Save a Document
        2. Close a Document
        3. Open a Document
      4. Creating Easy Access to a Program
        1. Pin a Program to the Taskbar
        2. Pin a Program to the Start Menu
      5. Copying Material Between Documents
        1. Copy and Insert Material
      6. Dialog Box Decisions
      7. Inserting Special Characters
        1. Find and Insert a Character
      8. Crunching Numbers
        1. Use Calculator
        2. Make Advanced Calculations
      9. Making Specialized Calculations
        1. Use the Specialized Calculations
      10. Writing Equations and Formulas
        1. Write an Equation
      11. Running Multiple Copies of One Program
        1. Open and Use Another Copy of a Program
      12. Copying Your Screen Content
        1. Snip an Image
      13. Writing Your Text
        1. Write Your Text
        2. Add Other Elements
      14. Typing on Your Screen
        1. Type Your Content
      15. Writing Quick Notes
        1. Write and Read Your Notes
      16. Writing and Drawing Notes
        1. Write and Draw
        2. Modify and Use Your Content
      17. Annotating a Document
        1. Make Your Comments
      18. Enlarging the Screen Content
        1. Magnify the Screen
      19. Controlling Your Gadgets
        1. Control a Gadget
        2. Add or Delete Gadgets
      20. Running Commands
        1. Run a Command
          1. The Top 10 Command-Prompt Commands
        2. Find a Command
        3. Get Information About a Command
      21. Running Older Programs
        1. Set the Compatibility
    8. 5. Personalizing
      1. Changing the Overall Look
        1. Change the Theme
        2. Modify the Theme
      2. Changing the Window Color
        1. Change the Color
      3. Enlarging Text
        1. Enlarge the Font
      4. Setting Your Desktop Background
        1. Set the Background
        2. Create a Background Slide Show
      5. Customizing the Desktop Icons
        1. Select and Modify the Icons
      6. Using a Screen Saver
        1. Choose a Screen Saver
      7. Customizing Your Mouse
        1. Set the Buttons
        2. Set the Mouse Pointer
      8. Customizing Individual Window Elements
        1. Change Individual Items
      9. Controlling the User Account Control
        1. Set the Notification Level
      10. Customizing the Taskbar
        1. Customize the Taskbar
        2. Customize the Notification Area of the Taskbar
      11. Moving the Taskbar
        1. Move and Resize the Taskbar
      12. Customizing the Start Menu
        1. Set the Power Button and Privacy Defaults
      13. Customizing Windows Explorer
        1. Change the Way Windows Explorer Works
        2. Change the Content That's Shown
      14. Changing Your Account Picture
        1. Change Your Picture
      15. Setting the Way a Removable Storage Device Starts
        1. Set the AutoPlay
      16. Using Alternative Ways of Working
        1. Set the Options
      17. Working Alternatives
        1. Alternative Tools
        2. Alternative Settings
      18. Working in a Different Part of the World
        1. Change the Default Region
        2. Add Keyboard and Language Support
      19. Adding Time Zone Clocks
        1. Create the Clocks
      20. Controlling Updates
        1. Modify Windows Update
      21. Customizing the Action Center Messages
        1. Select the Type of Action Center Messages
      22. Controlling Information Gathering
        1. Control Sending Profiles
      23. Controlling Problem Reporting
        1. Control Problem Information
        2. Control Individual Program Reports
      24. Sharing Your Customizations
        1. Share Your Theme
    9. 6. Exploring the Internet
      1. What's Where in Internet Explorer?
      2. Finding a Web Page
        1. Explore
      3. Going to a Specific Web Page
        1. Specify an Address
      4. Opening Multiple Web Pages
        1. Specify the Web Page
        2. Use a Link
      5. Viewing Multiple Web Pages
        1. View Different Web Pages
        2. Control Your Tabs
      6. Returning to Your Favorite Sites
        1. Save a Location
        2. Return to a Location
      7. Setting Your Home Page or Pages
        1. Set Your Home Page or Pages
      8. Finding Related Web Sites
        1. See Other Sites
      9. Finding Information on the Internet
        1. Search for an Item
      10. Viewing One Section of a Page
        1. Subscribe to a Web Slice
      11. Reading RSS Feeds
        1. Get Your Feed
        2. Read Your Feed
      12. Controlling Pop-Up Windows
        1. Set the Pop-Up Blocker
        2. Control the Pop-Up Windows
      13. Browsing in Private
        1. Forget Your History
        2. Turn On Private Browsing
      14. Keeping Your Information Private
        1. Block Information Gathering
      15. Managing Add-Ons
        1. Manage the Add-Ons
      16. Transferring Your Settings
        1. Save the Information
        2. Transfer the Information
      17. Saving a Web Page
        1. Save a Web Page
      18. Copying Material from a Web Page
        1. Save a Picture
        2. Save Some Text
      19. Using Accelerators for Quick Actions
        1. Use an Accelerator
    10. 7. Playing Games
      1. Playing Your Games
        1. Play a Game
        2. Control the Games
      2. Playing Chess Titans
        1. Play Chess Titans
      3. Playing FreeCell
        1. Play FreeCell
      4. Playing Hearts
        1. Play Hearts
      5. Playing Mahjong Titans
        1. Play Mahjong Titans
      6. Playing Minesweeper
        1. Play Minesweeper
      7. Playing Solitaire
        1. Play Solitaire
      8. Playing Purble Place
        1. Play Comfy Cakes
        2. Play Purble Shop
        3. Play Purble Pairs
      9. Playing Spider Solitaire
        1. Play Spider Solitaire
      10. Playing Games over the Internet
        1. Play a Game
      11. Playing Microsoft Touch Pack Games
        1. Play the Touch Games
    11. 8. Working with Pictures
      1. Viewing Your Photos
        1. View Your Photos
        2. Use the Viewer
      2. So Many Photo Tools!
      3. Creating a Multimedia Slide Show
        1. Assemble a DVD Slide Show
        2. Create the Slide Show
      4. Viewing Photos with Windows Media Center
        1. View Individual Photos
        2. Create and Play a Slide Show
      5. Viewing Photos with Windows Live Photo Gallery
        1. Browse Your Photos
        2. Classify and Find Your Photos
      6. Editing Your Photos
        1. Adjust the Picture
        2. Crop a Photo
        3. Remove "Red Eye"
      7. Viewing a Custom Photo Slide Show
        1. View the Show
      8. Creating a Panoramic Photo
        1. Merge Your Photos
      9. Creating an Online Photo Album
        1. Create the Album
      10. Importing Photos from Your Camera or Removable Media
        1. Import Your Photos
      11. Drawing Pictures
        1. Create a Picture
        2. Edit a Picture
      12. Changing a Picture's Resolution
        1. Resize with Paint
    12. 9. Working with Multimedia
      1. Playing Multimedia with Media Player
        1. Start Playing
        2. Play Anything
      2. Arranging Your Media with Playlists
        1. Create a Playlist
        2. Create an Auto Playlist
      3. Copying CD Music
        1. Rip from a CD
        2. Create a Music CD
      4. Controlling Video Playback
        1. Adjust the Playback
      5. Changing Media Player's Appearance
        1. Apply a Skin
      6. Synchronizing Media with a Portable Device
        1. Synchronize
        2. Control the Synchronization Settings
      7. Sharing Media Libraries on Your Network
        1. Share with Specific Computers and Devices
        2. Share with Everyone
      8. Accessing Your Media over the Internet
        1. Set Up the Connection
        2. Troubleshoot the Connection
      9. Playing Your Media on Another Computer or Device
        1. Set Up a Computer or a Device to Receive Media
        2. Play Media to a Device
      10. Using Windows Media Center
      11. Watching Windows Media Center
        1. Control Media Center
      12. Creating a Video DVD
        1. Create the DVD
      13. Recording Video from a Camera
        1. Record Live Video
      14. Downloading Recorded Video from a Camera
        1. Download the Entire Video
        2. Download Video Clips
      15. Making a Movie
        1. Create a Movie
    13. 10. Using Voice and Sounds
      1. Controlling the Volume
        1. Set the Master Volume Level
        2. Set the Volume for Events and Programs
      2. Controlling the Sound System
        1. Set the Speaker Defaults
        2. Set the Input Defaults
        3. Set the Background Level
      3. Creating a Sound Theme
        1. Change the Sounds in a Theme
        2. Create a Sound Scheme
      4. Directing Your Computer with Voice Commands
        1. Start Speech Recognition
          1. Use the Commands
      5. Dictating Text
        1. Dictate Your Text
          1. Use the Commands
        2. Correct Errors
      6. Customizing Speech Recognition
        1. Customize
      7. Talking to the Mouse
        1. Use the Grid
      8. Letting Your Computer Do the Talking
        1. Listen to Narrator
      9. Creating a Sound File
        1. Record Sounds
      10. Using Alternatives to Sound
        1. Turn on Visual Cues
    14. 11. Printing and Scanning
      1. Printing a File
        1. Print a Document
      2. Specifying a Default Printer
        1. Change the Default Printer
      3. Controlling Your Printing
        1. Control the Print Queue
        2. Control the Printer
      4. Printing Your Photographs
        1. Print the Photos
      5. Printing Web Pages
        1. Fix the Layout
      6. Creating an XPS Document
        1. Create a Document
      7. Scanning a Picture into Paint
        1. Scan a Picture
      8. Scanning Anything
        1. Scan an Item
        2. Manage Your Scans
      9. Quickly Scanning an Item
        1. Choose Your Scanning Settings
    15. 12. Communicating
      1. E-Mailing Your Photos
        1. Send Your Photos
      2. E-Mailing Your Files
        1. E-Mail Your Files
      3. Sending a Fax
        1. Fax a Document
        2. Fax Anything
      4. Receiving a Fax
        1. Manually Receive a Fax
        2. View a Fax
      5. Connecting with Your Contacts
        1. Enter Your Contacts
        2. Use Your Contacts
      6. Sharing Your Contacts
        1. Send Contact Information by E-Mail
        2. Share Multiple Contacts
        3. Receive Contacts
      7. Creating a Contacts Group
        1. Create a Group
      8. Understanding E-Mail Clients and Webmail
      9. Using Windows Live Mail
        1. Use Windows Live Mail
      10. Sending E-Mail with Windows Live Mail
        1. Create a Message
      11. E-Mailing a File with Windows Live Mail
        1. Send a File by E-Mail
        2. Receive an Attachment
      12. Sending Photos with Windows Live Mail
        1. Add Your Photos
        2. Format the Photos
      13. Communicating with Windows Live
    16. 13. Networking
      1. Joining a Homegroup
        1. Join a Homegroup
      2. Accessing Your Homegroup
        1. Access Shared Libraries
      3. Sharing with Your Homegroup
        1. Share Your Libraries
        2. Share a Custom Library
      4. Controlling Homegroup Sharing
        1. Allow Changes to a File
        2. Prevent Access to a File
      5. Understanding Networks in Windows 7
      6. Allowing Your Files to Be Shared
        1. Set Up Sharing Permission
      7. Viewing Your Network
        1. View the Network
      8. Connecting to a Network Computer
        1. Connect to a Computer
        2. Connect to a Computer That's Not Listed
      9. Creating a Connection to a Network Folder
        1. Assign a Drive
      10. Transferring Files
      11. Connecting to a Network over the Internet
        1. Create a VPN Connection
        2. Configure the Connection
      12. Connecting to a Network over the Telephone
        1. Call In
      13. Reconnecting to a Network
        1. Use Your Connections
      14. Connecting to a Public Wireless Network
        1. Connect to a Network
        2. Connect to a Hidden Network
      15. Managing Your Network Connections
        1. Manage Wireless Network Connections
        2. Manage Other Network Connections
      16. Connecting Without a Network
        1. Create a Network
        2. Connect to the Network
    17. 14. Setting Up
      1. Transferring Files and Settings
        1. Set Up the Computers
        2. Transfer the Information
      2. Setting Your Default Programs
        1. Set the System Defaults
        2. Customize the Settings
      3. Turning Windows Features On or Off
        1. Turn a Feature On or Off
      4. Associating a File Type with a Program
        1. Set a Program to Always Open a File
      5. Setting Up a Homegroup
        1. Create the Homegroup
        2. Change the Password
      6. Setting Up Dial-Up Internet Access
        1. Set Up a Connection
        2. Control the Connection
      7. Setting Up a Modem
        1. Set the Dialing Rules
      8. Setting Up Internet Connection Sharing
        1. Share the Connection
      9. Setting Up Windows Backup
        1. Set Up Backup
      10. Setting Up Windows Live Essentials Programs
        1. Set Up Windows Live
      11. Setting Up Windows Live Mail
        1. Set Up Your E-Mail Account
        2. Add an Account
        3. Modify Account Settings
      12. Setting Up for Faxing
        1. Set Up the Fax
        2. Personalize the Fax
      13. Setting Up a Printer
        1. Set Up a Local Printer
        2. Connect to a Network Printer
      14. Sharing a Printer over the Network
        1. Share the Printer
    18. 15. Maintaining Security
      1. Setting Your Password
        1. Create a Password
      2. Changing Your Password
        1. Change Your Password
      3. Resetting Your Password
        1. Create and Use a Password Reset Disk
        2. Force a New Password
      4. Restricting User Rights
        1. Change the Type of Access
        2. Use the Guest Account
      5. Know Your Rights
        1. User Groups
      6. Monitoring Your Security Settings
        1. Check Your Settings
      7. Configuring the Windows Firewall
        1. Configure the Firewall
        2. Allow or Block Specific Programs
      8. Protecting Yourself from Spyware
        1. Set Your Options
        2. Take Action
      9. Limiting Access to the Computer
        1. Create the Rules
      10. Restricting Time on the Computer
        1. Restrict Access Times
      11. Restricting Access to Games
        1. Restrict the Games
      12. Restricting Access to Programs
        1. Block Programs
      13. Restricting Internet Content
        1. Enable Content Advisor
      14. Maintaining High Security
        1. Doing Your Part
      15. Setting Internet Explorer Security
        1. Set Your Security
      16. Restricting DVD Movies in Windows Media Player
        1. Specify the Allowable DVD Rating
      17. Restricting Content in Windows Media Center
        1. Set the Movie and DVD Control
        2. Set the TV Control
      18. Installing Critical Fixes
        1. Configure Your Downloading
    19. 16. Managing Windows 7
      1. Changing the Date and Time
        1. Change the Date, Time, or Time Zone
      2. Changing the Display
        1. Increase the Computer's Screen Area
      3. Managing Windows Arrangements
        1. Turn off Automatic Window Arrangements
      4. Changing Search Options
        1. Set the Search Options
      5. Changing Indexing Options
        1. Set Your Indexing Options
      6. Managing Your Credentials
        1. Manage the Vault
      7. Adding or Deleting User Accounts
        1. Add a Standard Account
        2. Delete an Account
      8. Creating a Linked Online ID
        1. Link the IDs
      9. Managing Travel Settings
        1. Control the Settings
      10. Controlling the Power Options
        1. Use a Power Plan
        2. Set the Power Buttons and the Password Requirement
      11. Managing Multiple Monitors
        1. Configure the Displays
        2. Manage the Extended Desktop
      12. Configuring a Pen or Touch Computer
        1. Change the Settings
      13. Managing Pen Settings
        1. Set the Pen Options
      14. Managing Navigational and Editing Flicks
        1. Control Your Flicks
        2. Customize the Flicks
      15. Managing Touch Settings
        1. Customize Your Touch
        2. Customize Panning
      16. Checking the Performance Status of Windows
        1. Check the Performance Status
      17. Maintaining Your Hard Disk
        1. Maintain a Drive
          1. Disk-Maintenance Tools
      18. Troubleshooting Problems
        1. Find a Troubleshooter
        2. Run a Troubleshooter
      19. Helping Each Other
        1. Start the Session
        2. Solve The Problem
      20. All Those Tools and Settings!
        1. Information-Gathering Tools
        2. System Settings Tools
      21. Speeding Up Your System
        1. Use ReadyBoost
      22. Removing a Software Program
        1. Uninstall a Program
      23. Starting Up When There's a Problem
        1. Control the Startup
          1. Windows Error-Recovery Startup Options
          2. Additional Options Using the Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu
      24. Repairing the System
        1. Repair the System
          1. Repair Tools Available from the Repair Your Computer Wizard
      25. Fixing System Problems
        1. Restore the System
      26. Managing Everything
        1. Use the Console
          1. Computer Management Console Items
      27. Backing Up Your Files
        1. Back Up Now
      28. Restoring Backed-Up Files
        1. Restore the Files
      29. Saving Everything
        1. Create a System Image
      30. Downloading Free Software
        1. Download the Software
    20. About the Authors
    21. Copyright

    Product information

    • Title: Windows 7 Plain & Simple
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: September 2009
    • Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
    • ISBN: 9780735634756