Absolute Beginner's Guide Computer Basics, Windows 11 Edition

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents at a Glance
Table Contents
Introduction
Part I: Understanding Computers
	1 How Personal Computers Work
		What Your Computer Can Do
			Good for Getting Online
			Good for Social Networking
			Good for Communicating
			Good for Sharing Photos and Home Movies
			Good for Entertainment
			Good for Keeping Informed
			Good for Work
			Good for Play
		Inside a Personal Computer
			The Motherboard: Home to Almost Everything
			Microprocessors: The Main Engine
			Computer Memory: Temporary Storage
			Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage
			Solid-State Drives: Faster Long-Term Storage
			Keyboards: Fingertip Input
			Mice and Touchpads: Point-and-Click Input Devices
			Network Connections: Getting Connected
			Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise
			Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture
		Other Parts of Your Computer System
			Providing Additional Functionality with Peripherals
			Doing What You Need to Do with Software and Apps
			Making Everything Work—with Windows
		Different Types of Computers
			Traditional Desktop PCs
			All-in-One Desktops
			Laptop PCs
			Tablet PCs
			2-in-1 PCs
			Which Type of PC Should You Choose?
		Don’t Worry, You Can’t Screw It Up—Much
	2 Setting Up and Using Different Types of Computers
		Before You Get Started
		Setting Up a Laptop or 2-in1 PC
			Understanding the Elements of a Laptop PC
			Getting Connected
		Setting Up an All-in-One Desktop PC
			Understanding the Parts of an All-in-One System
			Getting Connected
		Setting Up a Traditional Desktop PC
			Understanding the Components of a Desktop System
			Getting Connected
		Turning It On—for the First Time
			Getting the Right Order
			Powering On
Part II: Using Windows
	3 Getting to Know Windows 11
		Say Hello to Windows 11
			Starting and Logging In to Windows
			Exploring the Windows Desktop
		Learning Basic Operations
			Pointing and Clicking
			Double-Clicking
			Right-Clicking
			Dragging and Dropping
			Mouse Over
			Moving and Resizing Windows
			Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing Windows
			Snapping Windows into Position
			Scrolling Through a Window
			Peeking at the Desktop
		Using the Start Menu
			Navigating the Start Menu
			Launching a Program
		Using the Taskbar
			Deciphering Taskbar Icons
			Opening Applications and Switching Between Windows
			Using Jump Lists
			Managing Taskbar Buttons
			Switching Between Programs
			Adjusting Quick Settings
			Viewing Notifications
		Learning Important Windows Shortcuts
		Using Windows with a Touchscreen Display
		Shutting Down Windows—and Your Computer
	4 Working with Files, Folders, and Online Storage
		Understanding Files and Folders
		Using File Explorer
			Launching File Explorer
			Exploring the File Explorer Window
			Displaying File Contents and Details
		Navigating the Folders on Your PC
		Viewing Files and Folders
			Changing the Way Files Display
			Sorting Files and Folders
			Grouping Files and Folders
			Searching for Files
		Performing Basic File and Folder Operations
			Creating New Folders
			Renaming Files and Folders
			Copying Files
			Moving (Cutting and Pasting) Files
			Deleting Files
		Working with the Recycle Bin
			Restoring Deleted Files
			Emptying the Recycle Bin
		Working with Compressed Folders
			Compressing a File
			Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder
		Copying Files to Another Computer
			Copying Files over a Network
			Copying Files with a Portable Drive
			Copying Files via Email
		Working with Cloud-Based Storage
			Accessing OneDrive from File Explorer
			Using Microsoft OneDrive
			Syncing Files on Your PC to OneDrive
	5 Personalizing Windows
		Personalizing the Windows Desktop
			Changing the Desktop Background
			Changing to Light or Dark Mode
			Changing the Accent Color
			Choosing a Windows Theme
			Customizing the Start Menu
			Pinning Apps to the Taskbar
			Customizing the Taskbar
		Personalizing Widgets
			Customizing the Widgets Panel
			Adding a New Widget to the Widgets Panel
			Customizing Your News Feed
		Personalizing the Lock Screen
			Changing the Lock Screen Background
			Displaying a Slideshow on the Lock Screen
		Changing Your Account Picture
		Setting Up Additional User Accounts
			Creating a New User Account
			Switching Users
			Signing Out
			Signing In with Multiple Users
		Configuring Other Windows Settings
Part III: Setting Up the Rest of Your System
	6 Connecting Printers and Other Devices to Your PC
		Getting to Know the Most Popular Peripherals
		Adding New Hardware to Your System
			Understanding USB
			Connecting via USB
		Connecting and Using a Printer
			Understanding Different Types of Printers
			Connecting a Printer via USB
			Connecting a Wireless Printer to Your Computer
			Sharing a Network Printer
			Printing to Your System’s Printer
		Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC
		Connecting Your PC to Your Living Room TV
			Connecting via HDMI
			Wirelessly Mirroring Your Computer Screen
	7 Using Your PC with Your Mobile Phone
		Linking Your Phone to Your Windows 11 PC
		Texting and Calling from Your PC
			Receiving Text Messages
			Sending Text Messages
			Making a Phone Call
		Doing More with Your Phone and Your Windows PC
			Sharing a Web Page from Your Phone to Your PC
			Sharing a Web Page from Your PC to Your Phone
			Viewing Photos from Your Phone on Your PC
			Running Android Apps on Your PC
	8 Adding Storage and Backup
		Understanding External Storage
		Connecting an External Drive
		Backing Up Your Important Files
			Backing Up to an External Drive
			Backing Up Online
	9 Setting Up a Home Network
		How Networks Work
			Wired Networks
			Wireless Networks
		Setting Up a Wireless Network in Your Home
			How It Works
			What You Need
			Making the Connections
		Connecting Your Computer to Your New Network
			Connecting via Ethernet
			Connecting Wirelessly
		Accessing Computers on Your Network
Part IV: Using the Internet
	10 Connecting to the Internet—at Home and Away
		Different Types of Home Internet
			Understanding Internet Hardware
		Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot
	11 Browsing and Searching the Web
		Understanding the Web
		Using Microsoft Edge
			Browsing the Web with Edge
			Revisiting History
			Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs
			Saving Your Favorite Pages
			Returning to a Favorite Page
			Displaying the Favorites Bar
			Displaying a Page with Immersive Reader
			Browsing in Private
			Setting a Different Start Page
		Using Google Chrome
		Searching the Web with Google
			Using Google Search
			Constructing a Query
			Fine-Tuning Your Search Results
	12 Buying and Selling Online
		How to Shop Online
			Step 1: Find an Online Store
			Step 2: Find a Product
			Step 3: Examine the Product (Virtually)
			Step 4: Order the Product
			Step 5: Check Out
			Step 6: Confirm the Order
		How to Shop Safely
		Ordering Meal and Grocery Delivery Online
			Ordering Meals Online
			Ordering Groceries Online
		Buying and Selling on Online Marketplaces
			Craigslist
			eBay
			Etsy
			Facebook Marketplace
			Reverb
Part V: Communicating Online
	13 Sending and Receiving Email
		How Email Works
			POP/IMAP Email
			Web-Based Email
		Using the Windows Mail App
			Navigating the Mail App
			Adding Another Email Account
			Reading and Replying to Messages
			Viewing Attachments
			Sending a New Message
			Attaching a File
		Using Web-Based Email
			Using Outlook Online
			Using Gmail
	14 Video Chatting with Friends and Family
		Video Chatting with Zoom
			Getting to Know Zoom
			Accepting a Meeting Invitation
			Joining a Meeting Manually
			Switching Views
			Applying a Virtual Background
			Leaving a Meeting
			Starting a New Instant Meeting
			Scheduling a Meeting in Advance
			Starting and Ending a Meeting
		Video Chatting with Microsoft Teams
			Accepting a Meeting Invitation
			Blurring Your Background
			Launching a New Teams Meeting
	15 Social Networking with Facebook, Twitter, and Other Social Media
		Using Facebook
			Signing Up with and Signing In to Facebook
			Getting to Know Facebook
			Searching for Friends
			Viewing a Friend’s Profile Page
			Posting Status Updates
			Determine Who Can—or Can’t—See a Status Update
			Viewing Friends’ Updates in Your Feed
			Managing Your Privacy on Facebook
		Using Twitter
			Joining Twitter
			Navigating Twitter
			Tweeting with Twitter
			Following Other Users
			Customizing Your Profile
		Using Pinterest
			What Pinterest Is and What It Does
			Navigating the Pinterest Site
			Viewing Boards and Pins
			Following Other Users
			Repinning Existing Items
			Pinning Items from the Web
			Creating New Boards
		Using LinkedIn
			Personalizing Your Profile
			Finding New Connections
			Contacting Other LinkedIn Members
		Using Social Networks—Smartly and Safely
			Protecting Your Children
			Protecting Yourself
Part VI: Getting Productive
	16 Installing and Using Desktop Applications
		Finding and Installing New Apps
			Downloading Apps from the Microsoft Store
			Purchasing Apps from Your Local Retailer
			Finding and Installing Apps Online
			Understanding Web-Based Apps
		Managing Your Apps
			Finding Your Installed Apps
			Pinning Apps to the Start Menu
			Pinning Apps to the Taskbar
			Adding App Shortcuts to the Desktop
		Working with Applications
			Using Toolbars and Ribbons
			Using Menus
			Closing an Open App
	17 Doing Office Work
		Getting to Know Microsoft Office
			Using Office on the Desktop
			Using Office on the Web
			Which Version of Office Should You Use?
		Word Processing with Microsoft Word
			Exploring the Word Workspace
			Working with Documents
			Entering Text
			Editing Text
			Formatting Text
			Checking Spelling and Grammar
			Printing Your Document
		Number Crunching with Microsoft Excel
			Exploring the Excel Workspace
			Entering Data
			Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
			Adjusting Column Width
			Calculating with Formulas
			Including Other Cells in a Formula
			Quick Addition with AutoSum
			Using Functions
			Formatting Your Spreadsheet
			Creating a Chart
		Giving Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint
			Exploring the PowerPoint Workspace
			Applying a Theme
			Inserting New Slides
			Adding and Formatting Text
			Start the Show!
		Exploring Google Docs
			Using Google Docs Word Processor
			Using Google Sheets Spreadsheet
			Using Google Slides Presentations
		Using the Windows Calendar App
			Displaying Different Views
			Creating a New Event
	18 Working with Digital Photos
		Transferring Pictures from Your Camera, Smartphone, or Tablet
			Downloading from the Internet
			Transferring Photos from a Smartphone or Tablet via USB
			Transferring Pictures from a Digital Camera via USB
			Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card
			Scanning a Picture
		Viewing Your Photos with the Windows Photos App
		Editing Your Photos with the Photos App
			Opening Editing Mode
			Cropping or Rotating a Photo
			Applying Filters
			Adjusting Brightness
			Adjusting Color
		Printing and Sharing Your Photos
			Choosing the Right Printer and Paper
			Making the Print
			Printing Photos Professionally
			Sharing Your Photos
Part VII: Exploring Online Entertainment
	19 Watching Movies and TV Shows Online
		Watching Streaming Video Services
			Watching Amazon Prime Video
			Watching Apple TV+
			Watching Discovery+
			Watching Disney+
			Watching HBO Max
			Watching Hulu
			Watching Netflix
			Watching Paramount+
			Watching Peacock
			Watching Other Streaming Video Services
		Watching Live TV Online
		Buying and Renting Movies Online
		Watching Videos on YouTube
	20 Listening to Music and Podcasts Online
		Listening to Streaming Music Online
			Listening to Pandora
			Listening to Spotify
			Listening to Other Streaming Music Services
			Listening to Traditional Radio Stations Online
		Purchasing and Downloading Digital Music
			Examining Online Music Stores
			Playing Downloaded Music on Your PC
		Listening to Podcasts Online
Part VIII: Keeping Your System Up and Running
	21 Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, Spam, and More
		Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses
			Watching for Signs of Infection
			Catching a Virus
			Practicing Safe Computing
			Disinfecting Your System with Antivirus Software
		Hunting Down Spyware
		Fighting Email Spam
			Protecting Your Email Address
			Blocking Spammers in Your Email Programs
		Resisting Phishing Scams
		Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content
			Using Content-Filtering Software
			Encouraging Safe Computing
	22 Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems
		Maintaining Your Computer
			Cleaning Up Unused Files
			Removing Unused Programs
			Optimizing Your Disk Storage
			Updating Windows
		Keeping Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition
			System Unit
			Keyboard
			Display
			Printer
		Maintaining a Laptop PC
			Using the Windows Mobility Center
			Conserving Battery Life
			Securing Your Laptop
		Troubleshooting Computer Problems
		Troubleshooting in Safe Mode
		Reacting When Windows Freezes or Crashes
			What Causes Windows to Freeze?
			Dealing with Frozen Windows
			Dealing with a Frozen Program
			Dealing with a Major Crash
		Refreshing or Resetting Your System
			Refreshing System Files
			Resetting Your System to Its Original Condition
Index
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	B
	C
	D
	E
	F
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	H
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	Q
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