Home > Store

My Microsoft Windows 7 PC

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

My Microsoft Windows 7 PC

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 2012
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-4895-9
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-4895-9

The clear, friendly, visual guide to using and personalizing Windows 7 - 100% focused on what you really want to do with Windows 7!

  • Full-color, step-by-step tasks teach you how to do what you want, find what you need, run media like a breeze, connect with anyone, and make your whole computing experience smooth and seamless
  • Packed with screen captures that show you exactly what to do
  • Walks through connecting devices and networks, securely sharing content, and troubleshooting problems

This easy, visual tutorial doesn't just introduce new users to Windows 7: it shows how to use Windows 7's coolest new features to personalize your experience around the way you live and work. You learn how to get connected to people, places, and other devices, run Windows 7 efficiently, find what you need to run media like a breeze simplify the way you manage your life and commitments create a computing experience that's smoother, more seamless, and more fun. The book walks step-by-step through each key task you need to master, from getting comfortable with the Windows 7 desktop through connectivity, security, mobility, personalization, upgrades, troubleshooting, and much more. This book's step-by-step instructions link to callouts of Windows screen captures that show exactly what to do. Tips and Notes help you discover shortcuts and techniques you'll never find on your own, and Help features guide you past common Windows 7 problems. This book is designed for anyone just starting out with Windows 7 at home or at work, no matter how much experience you have with previous versions - or how little.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Getting and Staying Connected with Windows 7: Phones, Devices, and Tablets

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 3 and Index)

Table of Contents

Introduction     1

Highlights of Windows     7 2

Versions of Windows 7     3

What You’ll Find in This Book     4

Let’s Begin     6

Chapter 1  Getting Started with Windows 7     9

Starting and Stopping Windows 7     10

    Starting Windows 7     11

Using the Start Menu     13

    Finding What You Need on the Start Menu     13

Learning the Taskbar     17

    Learning Taskbar Tools     17

Navigation Basics: Using the Mouse and Keyboard     22

    Using the Mouse     22

Working with Windows     26

    Starting a Program     26

    Opening a Document     29

    Switching to a Different Window     30

    Arranging Windows     31

Getting the Help You Need     35

Chapter 2  Preparing Your Windows 7 PC     41

Transferring Files     42

    Using Windows Easy Transfer     42

Setting Up Programs     45

Setting Up Your Printer     48

Getting Ready to Use Hardware     51

    Updating Drivers     53

Setting Up Internet Connections     56

Managing Your PC Power     59

Preparing for Recovery     62

Chapter 3  Getting and Staying Connected: Phones, Devices, and Tablets     67

Connecting Devices to Windows 7     68

Syncing Your Phone     69

Syncing Your MP3 Player     75

Moving Files from a Flash Drive     79

Setting Up Your Drawing Tablet     82

    Getting Started with Your Drawing Tablet     82

Chapter 4  Securing Your Windows 7 PC     89

Working with the Action Center     90

    Working with an Action Center Alert     92

Setting Up User Accounts     97

Setting a Password     102

Using Windows Defender     105

Turning on Your Windows Firewall     109

Changing User Account Control Settings     111

Chapter 5  Find What You’re Looking for--Fast!    115

Performing a Simple Search     116

    Using the Search Box     117

    Using the Search Folder     119

Extending a Search     120

    Understanding Search Filters     121

    Expanding Your Search     122

    Searching Online     123

Customizing and Saving a Search     126

    Creating a Custom Search     126

    Saving Your Search     129

Chapter 6  Exploring, Downloading, and Running Programs     133

Finding and Starting a Program     134

Working with Program Windows     138

    Exploring a Program Window     139

    Copying Content Between Programs     141

Closing a Program     143

Downloading and Installing Programs     144

    Getting Ready to Download a Program     145

    Purchasing, Downloading, and Installing a Program     147

Repairing and Uninstalling Programs     149

Repairing Installations     149

    Uninstalling Programs     150

Working with Gadgets     153

    Display Running Gadgets     154

Chapter 7  Organizing Files and Folders     161

Working with Windows 7 Libraries     162

    Getting Started with Windows 7 File Libraries     162

    Taking a Look at Windows Explorer     164

    Using the Navigation Pane     166

    Adding Folders to Libraries     167

    Creating a Library     168

    Arranging Library Display     171

Managing Folders     173

    Finding the Folder You Want     173

    Removing Folders     180

Finding, Organizing, and Sharing Your Files     181

    Finding Files     181

    Previewing Files     182

    Displaying and Updating File Information     183

    Tagging Files     184

    Compressing and Uncompressing Your Files     189

Chapter 8  Doing the Web Thing (Plus Email and Calendars, Too)    193

Getting Online with Internet Explorer     194

    Starting Internet Explorer     194

    A Look Around the Internet Explorer Window     195

    Displaying Browser Toolbars     197

    Using the Notification Bar     198

    Selecting Your Home Page     199

Browsing and Searching the Web     200

    Navigating the Web     202

    Searching for Information     204

    Adding a Search Provider     206

Working with Tabs     210

    Opening a New Tab     210

    Changing the Tab Display     211

    Displaying Colorful Tabs     212

    Pinning a Site to the Taskbar     213

Working with IE9 Tools     215

    Changing Site Display     217

Adding and Managing Favorites     218

    Viewing Your RSS Feeds     223

    Adding Web Slices     226

Securing Your Browsing Experience     227

    Blocking ActiveX Controls     228

Sending a Link by Email with Windows Live Mail     235

    Sending Mail     236

Chapter 9  Ready, Set, Media!     241

Watching TV and Movies on Your PC     242

    Looking Around the Windows Media Center Window     243

    Watching Internet TV on Your PC     245

    Watching Live TV on Your PC     249

    Recording a Series or a Show     251

    Setting Recording Options     252

    Sharing Media on Your Phone     256

Enjoying Media with Windows Media Player     258

    Exploring the Windows Media Player Window     259

    Playing Tunes in Windows Media Player     260

    Creating a Playlist     265

    Streaming Your Media     268

    Viewing the Media Guide     271

Chapter 10  Cataloging and Fine-Tuning Your Photos     275

Adding Pictures to Your PC     276

    Connecting Your Camera and Downloading Pictures     276

    Adding and Viewing Pictures from Your Phone     278

    Viewing Photos on Windows Phone 7     278

Viewing Photos in the Pictures Library     281

    Looking Around the Pictures Library     281

    Viewing Pictures in the Picture Library     282

    Using the Windows Photo Viewer     284

Managing Your Pictures     287

    Rotating Pictures     288

    Tagging Pictures     292

Sharing Your Pictures     296

Printing Pictures     299

    Printing Your Photos     299

Chapter 11  Personalizing Windows 7     303

Changing Your Desktop     303

    Choosing a New Background     304

    Choosing a Desktop Theme     306

Adjusting the Look of Windows 7     310

    Choosing a Color Scheme     310

    Changing the Font Size     314

Adjusting the Mouse     320

    Changing Mouse Pointers     320

Changing System Sounds     325

Chapter 12  Networking—at Home and on the Road     329

Setting Up a Home Network     330

    Gathering Your Equipment     330

Getting Started with a HomeGroup     335

    Creating and Setting Up a HomeGroup     336

Using Your HomeGroup     340

Chapter 13  Windows 7 Care, Feeding, and Troubleshooting     345

Updating Windows 7     346

Backing Up and Restoring Your Files     349

    Backing Up Your Files     349

Using System Tools     354

    Disk Cleanup     354

    Disk Defragmenter     356

Compatibility with Windows 7     357

    Using the Windows Compatibility Center     358

Index     363

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020