Windows 7 made simple

Contents at a Glance......Page 3
Contents......Page 811
About the Author......Page 820
About the Technical Reviewer......Page 821
Acknowledgments......Page 822
Quick Start Guide......Page 4
Getting Around Quickly......Page 5
Learning Your Way Around the Desktop......Page 7
Desktop Background......Page 8
Start Menu......Page 9
Taskbar......Page 10
Notification Area and Time......Page 11
Desktop Icons and Gadgets......Page 12
New or Improved in Windows 7......Page 13
A Digital Dozen Things to Do Right Away......Page 15
Setting Up Backup and Creating a System Repair Disk......Page 16
Creating a Password Reset Disk......Page 17
Storing Your Installation Disks, Manuals, and Warranty Information......Page 18
Setting Up Virus Protection......Page 19
Transferring Settings and Files from an Old Computer......Page 20
Setting Up User Accounts and Parental Controls......Page 22
Setting Up Network Connections and Sharing......Page 25
Setting Up E-mail and IM......Page 28
Selecting and Setting Up Your Web Browser......Page 29
Installing Programs 1 – 2 – 3......Page 31
Setting Up Your Printers......Page 32
Learning Basic Windows Skills and Concepts......Page 33
Making Your PC More Touch Friendly......Page 34
Summary......Page 38
Customizing and Personalizing Windows......Page 41
Using a Picture Provided by Windows......Page 43
Using Your Own Picture......Page 45
Customizing the Start Menu......Page 47
Navigating the Personalization Window......Page 52
Choosing a Theme......Page 53
Viewing or Changing Your Desktop Background......Page 54
Viewing or Changing Your Window Colors......Page 57
Changing the Size of Text and Items in Windows......Page 63
Changing the Size Of Text in Other Programs......Page 64
Changing Your Screen Resolution......Page 67
Before You Change Your Resolution…......Page 68
Additional Features for Multiple Monitors......Page 71
Tidying Up Your Desktop Icons......Page 73
Hiding or Showing Common Windows Desktop Icons......Page 74
Deleting or Moving Desktop Icons......Page 75
Accessing Your Desktop with a Toolbar......Page 78
Changing System Sounds......Page 79
Adjusting the Volume or Muting Your Computer......Page 81
Checking Out Libraries......Page 86
Libraries Are Important for Backups......Page 88
Accessing Your Libraries......Page 92
Adding a Library Toolbar to the Taskbar......Page 95
Adding Shortcuts to the Desktop......Page 97
Document Library......Page 98
Music Library......Page 99
Pictures Library......Page 100
Videos Library......Page 101
Creating a New Library......Page 105
Creating a Separate PDF Library......Page 108
Using Gadgets and Widgets......Page 111
Adding Gadgets to Your Desktop......Page 115
Managing Gadgets......Page 117
Downloading and Installing Google Desktop Gadgets......Page 121
Adding Gadgets to Your Desktop......Page 123
Managing Gadgets......Page 126
Heads Up Display......Page 130
Downloading and Installing the Yahoo! Widgets Program......Page 131
My Widgets......Page 134
Managing Widgets......Page 136
Exploring Programs and Features......Page 146
Uninstalling from Programs and Features......Page 149
Trying Additional Repair Options......Page 152
Uninstalling an Update......Page 155
Reinstalling an Update......Page 156
Installing Programs......Page 160
Free Screensavers, Desktop Backgrounds, Smileys, and Emoticons......Page 163
Program Compatibility......Page 164
Licensing......Page 166
Providing Product or Activation Keys......Page 167
Moving Programs from One PC to Another......Page 168
Administrator Privileges (UAC)......Page 169
System Restore Points......Page 170
Installing from Web Downloads......Page 171
Installing from a Network......Page 184
Installing from a Program or Shortcut on Your Computer......Page 186
Performing an Anytime Upgrade or Converting from Trial to Full Version......Page 187
Troubleshooting Programs that Won’t Install......Page 188
Completing Installation......Page 189
Updating and Upgrading......Page 190
Selecting Your Default Programs......Page 191
Protecting and Storing Installation Programs and Information......Page 195
Using WordPad, Paint, and Accessories......Page 199
Thirteen WordPad Keyboard Shortcuts That Can Change Your Life......Page 204
Select, Cut or Copy, and Paste......Page 205
Using Toolbar Buttons......Page 207
Right Hand Select, Left Hand Apply......Page 208
Using the CTRL Keys......Page 209
Using the Mouse and Right-Click......Page 210
Using Drag and Drop......Page 211
Copying Text or Pictures Between WordPad and Other Programs......Page 214
Select and Apply......Page 215
Paragraph Formatting......Page 217
Inserting Pictures and Objects......Page 218
Applying What You Have Learned in WordPad to Other Programs......Page 228
Paint vs. “Drawing” Programs......Page 229
Using Solitaire for Skill Building......Page 236
Getting Additional Games from Microsoft......Page 239
Installing New Games......Page 240
Controlling Access to Games with Parental Controls......Page 241
Controlling Game Fees and Charges......Page 243
Getting Free Goodies like Windows Live Essentials......Page 248
Getting a Windows Live ID......Page 254
Setting Up Windows Live Mail......Page 256
Adding the First E-Mail Account to Windows Live Mail......Page 257
Mail Protocol Alphabet Soup......Page 260
Adding a Gmail Account......Page 261
Adding an AOL/AIM (POP3) Account......Page 263
Adding More E-Mail Accounts to Windows Live Mail......Page 267
Using Windows Live Mail......Page 268
Safety Tips about Installation, Automatic Logins, and Trustworthy Computers......Page 271
Selecting Which Windows Live ID to Use with Windows Live Messenger......Page 272
Connecting to Social Networks......Page 275
Adding People by Name, E-Mail Address, or from Other Services......Page 278
Using Other Instant Messaging Programs......Page 280
Setting up Windows Live Writer......Page 287
Communicating with E-mail, IM, and Social Networks......Page 291
E-mail Features......Page 292
Windows Live Mail......Page 298
Checking Your E-mail......Page 301
Sending Messages......Page 306
Saving Mail Attachments......Page 309
Sorting, Organizing, and Customizing......Page 312
Managing Contacts......Page 313
Creating Mailing Lists......Page 319
Using a Category As A Mailing List......Page 321
Choosing and Setting Up E-mail Accounts......Page 322
Outlook......Page 323
Mozilla Thunderbird......Page 325
Gmail......Page 326
Yahoo! Mail......Page 327
AOL Mail......Page 329
Using E-mail Courteously and Safely......Page 330
Instant Messaging Features......Page 334
Installation Tips......Page 342
Windows Live Messenger......Page 343
Yahoo! Messenger......Page 344
AIM......Page 345
Google Talk......Page 346
Meebo......Page 347
Trillian......Page 348
IM Fun Stuff: Emoticons and BRB......Page 349
Choosing a Social Network......Page 350
Joining a Social Network......Page 351
Declining an Invitation or Unfriending......Page 352
Social Networking on the Go......Page 353
Surfing the Web......Page 355
Connecting to the Internet......Page 356
Where are the Apps?......Page 357
What Can I Use Internet Explorer For?......Page 358
To Uninstall Internet Explorer 9......Page 363
Internet Explorer 9 Highlights......Page 364
Pin Your Favorite Sites Directly to the Taskbar......Page 366
The New Tab Page......Page 367
Navigating and Searching the Web......Page 368
Printing Web Pages......Page 370
Printing Printer-Friendly Versions of Web Pages......Page 372
Print to Adobe PDF or Microsoft XPS Document Writer......Page 373
Microsoft XPS Document Writer......Page 374
Saving a Web Page to a File......Page 377
Saving and Copying Text and Pictures from Web Pages......Page 379
Browsing History and InPrivate Browsing......Page 381
Adjusting Your Overall Internet Security Settings......Page 382
Managing Your Cookies......Page 383
Changing Your Privacy Settings......Page 384
Parental Controls......Page 385
Installing Another Browser......Page 386
Firefox......Page 387
Chrome......Page 388
Opera......Page 389
Safari......Page 390
Changing Your Default Browser......Page 391
Exporting, Importing, and Syncing Settings and Preferences......Page 393
Organizing and Sharing Pictures and Videos......Page 396
Organizing and Editing Your Pictures......Page 397
Windows Libraries......Page 398
Windows Live Photo Gallery......Page 400
Adobe Photoshop Elements......Page 402
Adobe Photoshop......Page 405
Windows Media Player......Page 406
Windows Media Center......Page 407
Web Sites for Sharing Photos......Page 410
Finding Photos......Page 414
Sharing Videos on YouTube......Page 415
Enjoying Music, Video, and eBooks......Page 417
Music and Video Formats......Page 418
Windows Media Center......Page 420
Windows Media Player......Page 422
iTunes +QuickTime......Page 423
Zune......Page 425
RealPlayer......Page 427
Rhapsody......Page 428
eBook Formats......Page 431
eBook Readers and Stores......Page 432
eBook Magazine and Newspaper Subscription......Page 433
Managing Your eBook Library......Page 434
Setting Up and Transferring User Accounts......Page 436
Determining the Appropriate User Account Level......Page 437
The User Name/Password Model......Page 438
AutoComplete, AutoFill, and Password Managers......Page 439
Managing Multiple User Accounts on Multiple Computers and a Network......Page 441
Password Security Tips......Page 442
Adding a Password to Your Own Account......Page 445
Password Lockouts......Page 448
Creating a Password Reset Disk......Page 449
Resetting the Password with the Reset Disk......Page 452
Windows Live Family Safety......Page 462
Balance Parental Controls and Windows Live Family Settings......Page 466
Alternatives to Windows Easy Transfer......Page 467
Understanding Windows Easy Transfer......Page 468
Using Windows Easy Transfer for a Windows Upgrade Installation on the Same Computer......Page 469
Preparing to Move to the New Computer......Page 470
Run Backup Before Using Windows Easy Transfer......Page 471
Preparing and Verifying a Transfer Method......Page 472
Ensuring that Your Computers Are Not Interrupted During Transfer......Page 475
Close Down All Other Programs......Page 476
Transferring Files with an Easy Transfer Cable......Page 477
Setting Up the Network Connection Between the Old and New Computers......Page 488
Specifying to Use a Network Connection for the Transfer......Page 489
Transferring Files and Settings Using a USB Flash Drive, External Hard Disk, or Network Location......Page 491
Creating the Transfer File from Your Old Computer......Page 492
Transferring the Windows Easy Transfer File from the Storage Location to the New Computer......Page 494
Printing, Faxing, and Scanning......Page 499
Printer Use and Purchasing Recommendations......Page 503
Installing a Printer......Page 504
Sharing Printers on a Home Network......Page 512
Attaching a Printer to a Computer in Your Homegroup......Page 513
Installing the Printer on Other Homegroup Computers......Page 514
Keeping Shared Printers Available All the Time......Page 516
Installing and Sharing a Wired or Wireless Printer......Page 517
Installing and Sharing a Printer Attached to a NAS Device......Page 518
Adding a Shared Printer to a Windows 7 Computer from a NonWindows 7 Computer or Device......Page 520
Installing a Printer Attached to a Home Server......Page 523
Sending or Receiving a Fax with Windows Fax and Scan......Page 524
Troubleshooting an Undetected Modem......Page 526
Using Other Fax Hardware and Software......Page 529
Scanning with Windows Fax and Scan or Other Software......Page 532
Go Paperless: Print and Scan to PDF......Page 537
Keeping It Simple with Faxing and Scanning......Page 539
Connecting Monitors and Hardware......Page 541
Multi-Monitor Hardware......Page 549
Adding More Video Ports to Your Computer......Page 552
Docking Station (Brand-Specific)......Page 553
Universal Docking Stations......Page 554
USB-to-Video Adapters......Page 555
Multiple Monitor Setups......Page 556
Fixing Slowdowns with Multiple Monitors......Page 562
Enabling and Extending a Monitor......Page 565
Alignment When Monitors Have Different Resolutions and Sizes......Page 568
Cool Desktops for Multiple Monitors: Extra Large Photos and Panoramas......Page 569
Summary of Multi-Monitor Setup Tips and Tricks......Page 572
External Peripheral Installation......Page 577
Internal Hardware Installation......Page 578
Internal Hardware Installation Recommendations......Page 579
Managing USB Connections and Devices......Page 580
Taming the USB and Computer Cable Jungle......Page 582
Connecting to the Internet and Home Networks......Page 589
First Time Wireless Router Setup......Page 598
Extending Your Wireless Network Range with an Access Point......Page 601
Newer Construction May Already Be Pre-wired for Home Networks......Page 602
Ethernet Jacks......Page 603
Connecting To a Wired Network......Page 604
Connecting Through a PowerLine or HomePNA Network......Page 606
Creating a Homegroup......Page 607
Joining a Homegroup......Page 610
Changing Homegroup Settings......Page 612
Upgrading to Windows 7 to Use Homegroup......Page 613
Viewing and Changing the Workgroup Name on Windows XP......Page 615
Viewing and Changing the Workgroup Name on Windows Vista or Windows 7......Page 616
Viewing and Accessing Shared Folders on Your Network......Page 617
Accessing Shared Folders from Windows XP......Page 618
Accessing Shared Folders from Windows Vista......Page 619
Adding the Network Command to the Start Menu for Easy Access......Page 620
Accessing Shared Folders from Windows 7......Page 621
Sharing a Folder on Windows XP......Page 622
Sharing a Folder on Windows Vista......Page 624
Sharing a Folder on Windows 7......Page 625
Network Cable Tools and Supplies......Page 630
Color Coding and Order for RJ-45 plugs......Page 632
Making a Model Cable Connection for Future Projects......Page 637
Protecting Your Computer and Data......Page 639
Backup and Recovery FAQ......Page 640
Excuses for Not Using Backup and Restore......Page 643
Learning from Personal Experience......Page 644
Using Windows Backup and Restore......Page 646
Setting up Backups......Page 647
Check Your Backups......Page 656
Restore......Page 657
Restoring Data Files......Page 658
Recovery......Page 663
Using Third-Party Backup and Recovery Programs......Page 664
Creating and Using a Disaster Recovery Plan......Page 666
Setting Windows Update to Automatically Install Updates......Page 672
Checking for New Updates Available for Download or Installation......Page 674
Adding or Removing Programs from the Windows Firewall Allowed Programs and Features List......Page 680
How Does Spyware Protection Work?......Page 682
Using Windows Defender for Spyware Protection......Page 683
Turning on Windows Defender......Page 684
Scanning your computer for spyware......Page 686
Getting Security Software for Free or Cheap......Page 687
Tips for Getting Security Software......Page 688
Getting Antivirus Software through Action Center......Page 689
Using the Security Center from a Third-Party Internet Security Suite......Page 691
Defending Against E-mail Threats......Page 692
To Protect Yourself Against E-mail Threats......Page 693
Safe Surfing on the Internet......Page 694
Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your Computer......Page 697
Using Windows Troubleshooters......Page 709
Opening the Troubleshooter in Control Panel......Page 710
Accessing Troubleshooters through Help and Support......Page 711
Using a Troubleshooter to Fix Problems with Hardware......Page 712
Using Programs and Features to Fix Problems......Page 715
Running Windows 7 in Safe Mode......Page 718
Using System Restore to Fix Problems......Page 722
Examples of Devices That May Need Updated Drivers......Page 726
Locating Updated Drivers......Page 727
Updating the Drivers on Your Computer......Page 728
Using a Recovery Disc......Page 732
Undoing......Page 733
Creating Copies of the Original......Page 734
Saving Your Scraps......Page 735
Using Windows at Work and On the Road......Page 746
Upgrading to a Business Edition with Windows Anytime Upgrade......Page 748
Complying with Corporate Network Security and Policies......Page 749
Differences Between Using Windows in the Workplace and at Home......Page 750
Protecting Your Computer Data......Page 753
Using EFS......Page 756
Using BitLocker......Page 761
Encryption Features Summary......Page 774
Memory Requirements......Page 775
Installing Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode......Page 776
Windows Virtual PC......Page 777
Windows XP Mode......Page 779
Installing VMware Player......Page 780
Virtual Private Networks......Page 784
Public Networks and WiFi......Page 785
B......Page 790
E......Page 791
F......Page 793
G......Page 794
I......Page 795
L......Page 796
O......Page 797
P......Page 798
S......Page 800
V......Page 802
W, X......Page 803
Y......Page 806
Z......Page 807