Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.
Computer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 8.1 Edition, 7th Edition
- By Michael Miller
- Published Jan 14, 2014 by Que. Part of the Absolute Beginner's Guide series.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
About
Features
- Everything students need to know to get the most out of Windows 8.1 PCs, software, and the Internet
- The best-selling beginner's guide, now completely updated for Windows 8.1 and today's most popular Internet tools - including Facebook, craigslist, Twitter, and Wikipedia
- Easy step-by-step instructions cover setting up a new PC, getting online, working with digital media, using productivity tools, and much more
- By the world's #1 author of beginning technology books, Michael Miller
Description
- Copyright 2014
- Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/8"
- Edition: 7th
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7897-5233-6
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5233-8
Make the most of your new Windows® 8.1 notebook, desktop computer, or tablet–without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to get comfortable, get productive, get online, get started with social networking, make more connections, and have more fun!
Even if you’ve never used a Windows computer before, this book shows you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Computer basics have never, ever been this simple!
Who knew how simple using computers could be?
This is today’s best beginner’s guide to using your computer or tablet with the new Windows 8.1 operating system…simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:
• Set up Windows 8.1 and get online fast
• Use the new Windows 8.1 Modern interface
• Get started with social networking on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn
• Use Windows 8.1’s built-in apps–and find great new apps in the Windows Store
• Connect printers and external storage, and set up automatic file backup
• Create a home network in just minutes
• Go online to shop, sell your stuff, manage your money, and do research
• Get your office work done fast
• Organize, view, and share photos
• Play music using Windows 8.1, iTunes, or streaming music services
• Watch TV shows and movies online
• Protect yourself against viruses, spyware, and spam
• Keep your system running reliably at top speed
Extras
Related Articles
Comparing Notebook PCs: A 2013 Holiday Shopping Guide
Evaluating Cloud Storage Services
What is the Internet of Everything – and Why Should You Care?
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
Sample Pages
Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 4 and Index)
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .1
How This Book Is Organized 3
Which Version of Windows? .4
Conventions Used in This Book .4
Menu Commands .............4
Shortcut Key Combinations ...5
Web Page Addresses .......5
Special Elements ..............5
Let Me Know What You Think ....6
Part I: Understanding Computers and Similar Devices
1 How Personal Computers Work 7
What Your Computer Can Do ....8
Good for Getting Online .8
Good for Social Networking .8
Good for Communicating .....9
Good for Sharing Photos and Home Movies .......9
Good for Keeping in Touch ...9
Good for Entertainment ..9
Good for Keeping Informed .10
Good for Work ................10
Good for Play ..................10
Inside a Personal Computer .....10
The Motherboard: Home to Almost Everything 11
Microprocessors: The Main Engine .....................12
Computer Memory: Temporary Storage .............13
Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage .................13
Solid-State Drives: Faster Long-Term Storage ...14
CD/DVD Drives: Storage on a Disc .....................14
Keyboards: Fingertip Input .16
Mice and Touchpads: Point-and-Click Input Devices 17
Network Connections: Getting Connected ........18
Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise ........19
Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture 20
Other Parts of Your Computer System .....................21
Providing Additional Functionality with Peripherals ..21
Doing What You Need to Do with Software and Apps 22
Making Everything Work–with Windows ..........22
Different Types of Computers ..23
Desktop PCs ...................23
Notebook PCs ................25
Tablet PCs .......................26
Hybrid PCs ......................28
Which Type of PC Should You Choose? .............29
Don’t Worry, You Can’t Screw It Up–Much ............29
2 Setting Up and Using a Desktop Computer ........31
Understanding the Components of a Desktop Computer System 32
Before You Get Started .......34
Connecting a Traditional Desktop PC ......................35
Connect in Order ...........35
Connect by Color ...........36
Connecting an All-in-One Desktop .37
Turning It On and Setting It Up .38
Getting the Right Order 38
Powering On for the First Time ..38
3 Setting Up and Using a Notebook or Tablet Computer ............41
Understanding Notebook and Hybrid PCs ..............42
Understanding Tablet PCs ..44
Connecting Peripherals and Powering On ..............45
Getting Connected ........45
Powering On for the First Time ..45
Part II: Using Windows
4 Getting to Know Windows 8.1 47
Introducing Microsoft Windows .48
Welcome to Windows 8.1–If You’ve Used an Older Version of Windows ..............48
Welcome to Windows 8.1–If You’ve Used Windows 8 ............50
Different Versions of Windows 8.1 ......................51
Starting and Logging into Windows ........................52
Using Windows with a Mouse ..54
Pointing and Clicking .....54
Double-Clicking ..............54
Right-Clicking ..................54
Dragging and Dropping 54
Mouse Over ....................55
Using Windows with a Touchscreen Display ...........55
Tapping ..55
Pressing and Holding .....55
Swiping ..55
Panning ..55
Zooming 55
Rotating .56
Learning Important Windows Operations ...............56
Getting Help in Windows ...58
Shutting Down Windows–and Your Computer .....59
5 Using the New Windows 8.1 Interface .................63
Working Your Way Around the Start Screen ............64
Examining the Parts of the Start Screen .............64
Displaying the Start Screen .66
Scrolling Through the Tiles ..67
Opening a Tile ................67
Find Additional Apps on the Apps Screen .........68
Using the Charms Bar .........69
Personalizing the Start Screen .71
Changing the Background Color and Pattern ...71
Displaying Your Desktop Background on the Start Screen .......72
Making a Tile Larger or Smaller ..73
Rearranging Tiles ............74
Organize Tiles into Groups .74
Name Groups of Tiles ....75
Removing a Tile ..............76
Adding a New Tile .........76
Turning On or Off a Live Tile 77
Show the Apps Screen Instead of the Start Screen ...77
Personalizing the Lock Screen ..77
Changing the Lock Screen Background .............78
Displaying a Slide Show on the Lock Screen .....78
Adding Apps to the Lock Screen ........................79
Changing Your Account Picture .80
Making Windows 8.1 More Like Windows 7 ...........81
Reconfiguring Windows .81
Installing a Start Menu Replacement Tool ..........82
Setting Up Additional User Accounts ......................82
Setting Up a New Account with a Microsoft Account ...83
Setting Up a New Local Account ........................85
Switching Users ...............85
Logging Out ...................86
Logging In with Multiple Users ...86
Configuring Other Windows Settings ......................87
Configuring Settings from the PC Settings Screen ...87
Configuring Settings from the Traditional Control Panel ...........89
6 Using the Traditional Windows Desktop ..............91
Displaying the Desktop ......92
Opening Desktop Applications .93
Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop ...................93
Pinning a Program to the Taskbar .......................94
Opening Desktop Applications ..94
Working with Windows on the Desktop ..................94
Moving and Resizing Windows ...94
Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing Windows 95
Scrolling Through a Window .96
Using Dialog Boxes, Tabs, and Buttons ..............97
Personalizing the Windows Desktop ........................98
Changing the Desktop Background ....................98
Changing the Color Scheme .....100
Choosing a Screen Saver ...100
7 Working with Files, Folders, and Other Storage ..... 103
Understanding Files and Folders ...104
Using File Explorer ............104
Launching File Explorer .....105
Exploring the File Explorer Window .................105
Working with Ribbons and Tabs ........................106
Navigating the Folders on Your PC ........................107
Viewing Files and Folders .107
Changing the Way Files Are Displayed ............107
Sorting Files and Folders ...108
Grouping Files and Folders .108
Searching for Files ........109
Performing Basic File and Folder Operations .......109
Creating New Folders ..110
Renaming Files and Folders 110
Copying Files ................111
Moving Files ..................111
Deleting Files ................112
Working with the Recycle Bin 112
Restoring Deleted Files .....112
Managing the Recycle Bin .113
Working with Compressed Folders ........................114
Compressing a File ......114
Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder .....115
Copying Files to Another Computer ......................115
Copying Files over a Network ..115
Copying Files with a Portable Drive ..................115
Copying Files via Email 116
Working with Microsoft SkyDrive ...117
Part III: Setting Up the Rest of Your Computer System
8 Connecting Other Devices to Your PC–and Your PC to Other Devices .............. 119
Getting to Know the Most Popular Peripherals ....120
Adding New Hardware to Your System .................121
Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC ..............123
Connecting Your PC to Your Living Room TV .......124
9 Working with Printers .... 127
Selecting the Right Printer for Your Needs ............128
Understanding Inkjet Printers ....128
Understanding Laser Printers ....129
Black and White or Color? 129
Understanding Multifunction Printers ...............130
Adding a Printer to Your System ...131
Connecting a Printer Directly to Your Computer .....131
Connecting a Printer to Your Network ..............131
Printing to Your System’s Printer ....132
10 Adding Storage and Backup . 135
Understanding External Storage ....136
Connecting an External Hard Drive ........................137
Backing Up Your Important Files ...137
Backing Up to an External Hard Drive ..............138
Using the Windows File History Utility ..............138
Backing Up Online .......139
11 Setting Up a Home Network 141
How Networks Work .........142
Wired Networks ............142
Wireless Networks ........142
Connecting and Configuring ....143
Setting Up a Wireless Network in Your Home ......144
How It Works .................144
What You Need ............145
Making the Connections ...146
Connecting Your Computer to Your New Network ......146
Connecting via Ethernet ....147
Connecting Wirelessly .147
Adding Your Computer to a HomeGroup .............149
Accessing Computers on Your Network ................150
Accessing HomeGroup Computers ...................150
Accessing Other Computers on Your Network 151
Part IV: Using the Internet
12 Connecting to the Internet–at Home and on the Road ........ 153
Different Types of Connections in the Home ........154
Broadband DSL ............154
Broadband Cable .........155
FiOS Broadband ...........155
Broadband Satellite ......155
Sharing an Internet Connection .....156
Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot ...................156
Activating Airplane Mode .158
13 Using Internet Explorer to Surf the Web .......... 161
Understanding the Web ...162
Using Internet Explorer (Modern Version) .............162
Launching Internet Explorer from the Start Screen .163
Browsing the Web ........164
Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs .......................164
Saving Your Favorite Web Pages .......................165
Returning to a Saved Page .166
Browsing in Private .......166
Using the Desktop Version of Internet Explorer ...166
Launching Internet Explorer from the Desktop .......167
Browsing the Web ........167
Revisiting History ..........168
Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs .......................168
Saving Your Favorite Pages .169
Returning to a Favorite Page ....170
Browsing in Private .......171
Setting Your Home Page ...171
14 Searching and Researching Online ..................... 173
How to Search the Web ....174
Constructing a Query ...174
Searching for an Exact Phrase ...174
Where to Search ................175
Google–The Most Popular Search Site on the Web .175
Bing–Microsoft’s Answer to Google ................176
Other Search Sites ........178
Smart Searching from Within Windows .................178
Searching for People and Businesses ....................179
Using Wikipedia for Research 179
Understanding Wikipedia ..180
Searching Wikipedia ....180
Reading Wikipedia Articles .181
15 Shopping and Selling Online 185
How to Shop Online .........186
Step 1: Find an Online Store ....186
Step 2: Find a Product .187
Step 3: Examine the Product ....188
Step 4: Order the Product .188
Step 5: Check Out ........189
Step 6: Confirm the Order 190
How to Shop Safely ...........190
Buying and Selling on eBay ...191
How Does an eBay Auction Work? ...................192
Buying Fixed-Price Items ...193
Protecting Yourself Against Fraudulent Sellers 194
eBay Selling, Step-by-Step 195
Buying and Selling on Craigslist ....196
Understanding Online Classifieds .....................196
Browsing the Listings ...197
Buying on Craigslist .....198
Listing an Item for Sale 199
Making the Sale ............200
Part V: Communicating Online
16 Sending and Receiving Email 203
How Email Works ...............204
POP Email Versus Web Mail ...204
POP Email .....................204
Web Mail .......................205
Using Gmail ........................206
Navigating Gmail ..........206
Reading Messages .......207
Viewing Conversations .207
Replying to a Message 207
Composing a New Message .....208
Sending Files via Gmail ....209
Dangers of File Attachments ....209
Attaching a File in Gmail ...209
Opening an Attachment in Gmail .....................210
Managing Your Email with the Windows Mail App ......211
Checking Your Inbox ....211
Sending New Messages ....212
Adding Another Email Account 213
17 Social Networking with Facebook ...................... 215
How Social Networking Works .216
Getting to Know Facebook ....216
Signing Up and Signing In with the Facebook App 217
Getting to Know the Facebook App .................217
Keeping Tabs on Friends ..218
Finding Friends .............218
Searching for Friends ...220
Viewing a Friend’s Timeline Page ......................221
Keeping in Touch with Status Updates ..................222
Posting Status Updates 223
Viewing Friends’ Updates in Your News Feed .224
Sharing Photos ...................226
Uploading Photos to Facebook 226
Viewing Photos .............228
Managing Your Privacy on Facebook .....................230
Controlling Your Default Privacy ........................230
Selecting Who Can See (or Not See) Individual Posts 232
18 More Social Networking with Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter ..... 235
Using Pinterest ...................236
What Pinterest Is and What It Does ..................236
Navigating the Pinterest Site ....236
Viewing Pinboards and Pins 237
Following Other Users .238
Pinning Items to a Pinboard 238
Repinning Existing Items ...239
Creating New Pinboards ....240
Using LinkedIn ...................241
Creating an Account ....242
Personalizing Your Profile ..242
Finding New Connections .243
Contacting Other LinkedIn Members ...............243
Using Twitter ......................244
Joining and Using Twitter ..245
Tweeting with Twitter ...246
Following Other Users .247
Customizing Your Profile ....248
Using Social Networks–Smartly and Safely ..........248
Protecting Your Children ....248
Protecting Yourself .......249
19 Managing Your Social Activity (and Contacts) in Windows .... 251
Understanding the People App .....252
Adding Accounts to the People App .....................252
Monitoring Social Networks with the People App .......253
Viewing Your Friends’ Social Activity ................253
Posting to Facebook and Twitter .......................254
Managing Contacts in the People App .................255
Viewing Contact Information ....255
Adding New Contacts .257
20 Video Chatting with Friends and Family ........... 261
Video Calling with Skype ..262
Configuring Your Skype Account .......................263
Adding a Contact .........264
Making a Video Call .....264
Video Calling in Facebook .....266
Part VI: Working with Apps
21 Understanding and Using Windows Apps ........ 269
Using Apps in Windows 8.1 ...270
Searching for Apps .......270
Displaying All Apps ......271
Pinning Apps to the Start Screen ......................271
Switching Between Apps ...272
Working with Modern-Style Apps .274
Viewing and Configuring App Options ............274
Snapping Open Apps ..274
Closing an Open App ..275
Working with Traditional Software Apps ................276
Using Menus .................276
Using Toolbars and Ribbons .....277
Closing an Open App ..278
22 Exploring Windows 8.1’s Built-In Apps .............. 281
Discovering the Apps and Utilities Included with Windows 8.1 ..282
Working with Popular Apps ....285
Weather 286
Maps ....287
Bing News .....................289
Bing Sports ....................290
Bing Finance .................291
Bing Travel .....................291
Bing Food and Drink ....292
Bing Health and Fitness .....293
Alarms ..294
23 Finding and Installing New Apps ........................ 297
Finding and Installing Apps from the Windows Store .298
Opening the Windows Store ....298
Browsing the Windows Store ....299
Searching the Windows Store ...299
Downloading an App ...300
Finding and Installing Apps from Your Local Retailer ..300
Finding and Installing Apps Online ........................301
Understanding Cloud Computing Apps ................302
Part VII: Doing Fun and Useful Things with Your PC
24 Doing Office Work .......... 305
Working with Microsoft Office .306
Using Office on the Desktop .....306
Using Office on the Web ...307
Which Version of Office Should You Use? ........309
Word Processing with Microsoft Word ...................309
Exploring the Word Workspace 309
Working with Documents ..310
Entering Text .................311
Editing Text ...................311
Formatting Text ............312
Checking Spelling and Grammar ......................312
Printing Your Document .....312
Working with Pictures ..313
Number Crunching with Microsoft Excel ...............314
Exploring the Excel Workspace 314
Entering Data ................315
Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns ......316
Adjusting Column Width ...316
Calculating with Formulas .317
Including Other Cells in a Formula ...................317
Quick Addition with AutoSum ..318
Using Functions ............319
Formatting Your Spreadsheet ...320
Creating a Chart ...........321
Giving Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint ..322
Exploring PowerPoint Workspace .....................322
Applying a Theme ........323
Inserting New Slides ....324
Adding and Formatting Text .....324
Start the Show! .............324
Exploring Other Office Suites 324
25 Staying Organized .......... 327
Using the Windows Calendar App 328
Displaying Different Views .328
Creating a New Appointment ...329
Using Web-Based Calendars ..330
Using Web-Based To-Do Lists 331
26 Viewing and Sharing Digital Photos ................... 333
Transferring Pictures from Your Camera, Smartphone, or Tablet .334
Connecting via USB .....334
Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card .......334
Transferring Photos from an iPhone or iPad .....335
Scanning a Picture ........335
Viewing Your Photos with the Windows Photos App ...336
Editing Your Photos with the Photos App .............338
Auto Fixing a Photo .....338
Rotating a Photo ...........339
Cropping a Photo .........339
Removing Red-Eye .......340
Retouching a Photo ......341
Adjusting Brightness and Contrast ....................341
Adjusting Color and Tint ...342
Applying Special Effects ....343
Using Other Photo-Editing Programs ...............344
Printing Your Photos ..........345
Choosing the Right Printer and Paper ..............345
Making the Print ...........345
Printing Photos Professionally ...346
Sharing Photos at an Online Photo Site ................347
Emailing Digital Photos ....348
27 Playing Music ................... 351
Using the Xbox Music App .....352
Playing Music from Your Library ........................353
Creating and Playing Playlists ...354
Purchasing and Downloading Music .................355
Streaming Music Online ....357
Using iTunes .......................358
Playing Your Digital Music .358
Creating and Playing Playlists ...359
Playing a CD .................360
Ripping a CD to Your PC ...361
Burning Your Own CDs 361
Downloading Music from the iTunes Store ......361
Listening to Streaming Music via iTunes Radio 363
Listening to Streaming Music Online .....................365
Exploring Streaming Music Services .................365
Listening to Internet Radio 367
Listening to AM/FM and Satellite Radio Online ......368
28 Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos ..... 371
Watching Streaming Video Online 372
Viewing Movies and TV Shows on Netflix ........372
Viewing TV Shows on Hulu Plus ........................374
Viewing Videos on Network Websites ..............377
Using the Xbox Video App ....377
Purchasing Videos ........378
Viewing Videos .............379
Viewing Videos on YouTube ...381
Searching for Videos ....381
Viewing Videos .............382
Sharing Videos ..............383
Uploading Your Own Videos to YouTube .........383
Watching Online Videos on Your Living Room TV .......384
Making Your Own Home Movies ...384
Playing DVD Movies on Your PC ...385
Part VIII: Keeping Your System Up and Running
29 Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, and Spam ........................ 387
Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses ......388
Watching for Signs of Infection .388
Catching a Virus ............388
Practicing Safe Computing 389
Disinfecting Your System with Antivirus Software ....390
Hunting Down Spyware ....391
Defending Against Computer Attacks ...................392
Using the Windows Firewall 392
Using Third-Party Firewall Software ...................393
Fighting Email Spam .........393
Protecting Your Email Address .393
Blocking Spammers in Your Email Programs ....394
Resisting Phishing Scams ..394
Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content ...395
Using Content-Filtering Software ......................395
Kids-Safe Searching ......396
Encouraging Safe Computing ...396
30 Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems ........ 399
Maintaining Your Computer ...400
Cleaning Up Unused Files .400
Removing Unused Programs .....401
Performing a Hard Disk Checkup with ScanDisk .....402
Keeping Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition ......403
System Unit ...................403
Keyboard .......................403
Display .404
Printer ..405
Maintaining a Notebook PC ...405
Using the Windows Mobility Center .................405
Conserving Battery Life .....406
Securing Your Notebook ...407
Troubleshooting Computer Problems ....................407
Troubleshooting in Safe Mode .409
Reacting When Windows Freezes or Crashes .......409
What Causes Windows to Freeze? ....................410
Dealing with Frozen Windows ..410
Dealing with a Frozen Program 410
Dealing with a Major Crash .411
Restoring, Resetting, or Refreshing Your System ..412
Restoring Your System to a Previous State .......412
Refreshing System Files .....414
Resetting Your System to Its Original Condition .....415
TOC, 9780789752338, 12/18/2013