Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual

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By David Pogue

Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press

Released: May 2002

Pages: 584

Windows XP is the latest, most reliable, and best-looking version of the world's most widely used operating system. The new Windows combines the same stress-tested, extremely stable engine that drives Windows 2000-Microsoft's corporate operating system-with the far superior compatibility of Windows Me.

Windows XP offers dozens of important new features. In addition to the vastly more elegant user interface, it offers drag-and-drop CD burning, powerful built-in features for viewing and managing digital photos and music, and aRemote Assistance feature that lets invited PC gurus or help-desk technicians see and even manipulate what's on your screen over the Internet.

But one major failing of Windows remains unaddressed in the XP edition: It comes without a single page of printed instructions.

In Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual, New York Times technology columnist (and Missing Manual series creator) David Pogue provides the friendly, authoritative book that should have been in the box. It's the ideal users' guide for the world's most popular operating system.

The book begins at the beginning: with a tour of the Desktop, the new, two-column Start menu, and instructions for customizing the Taskbar and toolbars. A special focus: Organizing files, folders, and windows for maximumefficiency and minimum clutter.

More advanced chapters explore each control panel and built-in application; walk through every conceivable configuration (setting up a PC for Internet use, peripheral equipment, laptop life, and so on); and setting up a small network, including how to share a single Internet connection among several PCs. Finally, special chapters are dedicated to standard rituals of Windows life: troubleshooting, installation, and upgrading.

Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual is a one-stop reference for the Windows user. In keeping with the high standards of the Missing Manual line, the book features superb writing, special features for both absolute novices and power users, and complete coverage. If Microsoft could wave its magic software wand and wish for the perfect guide to its flagship product, Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual would appear like magic.

The Windows XP DesktopPart One\ The Windows XP Desktop
1. Chapter 1 A Welcome to Windows XPA Welcome to Windows XP
  1. What It’s ForWhat It’s For
  2. Getting Ready for WindowsGetting Ready for Windows
  3. What’s New in Windows XPWhat’s New in Windows XP
  4. The Dark Side of Windows XPThe Dark Side of Windows XP
2. Chapter 2 The Desktop and Start MenuThe Desktop and Start Menu
  1. Logging OnLogging On
  2. The Elements of the XP DesktopThe Elements of the XP Desktop
  3. Start→Log OffStart?Log Off
  4. Start→Turn Off ComputerStart?Turn Off Computer
  5. Start→All ProgramsStart?All Programs
  6. Start→RunStart?Run
  7. Start→SearchStart?Search
  8. Start→Help and SupportStart?Help and Support
  9. Start→Control PanelStart?Control Panel
  10. Start→My Network PlacesStart?My Network Places
  11. Start→My ComputerStart?My Computer
  12. Start→My Music, My PicturesStart?My Music, My Pictures
  13. Start→My Recent DocumentsStart?My Recent Documents
  14. Start→My DocumentsStart?My Documents
  15. Customizing the Start MenuCustomizing the Start Menu
3. Chapter 3 Windows, Folders, and the TaskbarWindows, Folders, and the Taskbar
  1. Windows in WindowsWindows in Windows
  2. The Desktop Window OverhaulThe Desktop Window Overhaul
  3. Window ToolbarsWindow Toolbars
  4. The TaskbarThe Taskbar
  5. Taskbar ToolbarsTaskbar Toolbars
4. Chapter 4 Organizing Your StuffOrganizing Your Stuff
  1. The Folders of Windows XPThe Folders of Windows XP
  2. Life with IconsLife with Icons
  3. Copying and Moving Folders and FilesCopying and Moving Folders and Files
  4. The Recycle BinThe Recycle Bin
  5. Shortcut IconsShortcut Icons
  6. Compressing Files and FoldersCompressing Files and Folders
  7. Burning CDs from the DesktopBurning CDs from the Desktop
5. Chapter 5 Getting HelpGetting Help
  1. Navigating the Help SystemNavigating the Help System
  2. “What’s This?”: Help for Dialog Boxes
  3. Remote AssistanceRemote Assistance
  4. Getting Help from MicrosoftGetting Help from Microsoft
The Components of Windows XP
1. Chapter 6 Programs and DocumentsPrograms and Documents
  1. Launching ProgramsLaunching Programs
  2. Switching ProgramsSwitching Programs
  3. Exiting ProgramsExiting Programs
  4. When Programs DieWhen Programs Die
  5. Saving DocumentsSaving Documents
  6. Closing DocumentsClosing Documents
  7. The Open Dialog BoxThe Open Dialog Box
  8. Moving Data Between DocumentsMoving Data Between Documents
  9. Filename ExtensionsFilename Extensions
  10. Installing SoftwareInstalling Software
  11. Uninstalling SoftwareUninstalling Software
  12. Running Pre-XP ProgramsRunning Pre-XP Programs
  13. Service Pack 1Service Pack 1
2. Chapter 7 The Freebie SoftwareThe Freebie Software
  1. The Windows XP AccessoriesThe Windows XP Accessories
  2. Windows XP GamesWindows XP Games
  3. Everything ElseEverything Else
3. Chapter 8 Pictures, Movies, and SoundsPictures, Movies, and Sounds
  1. Digital Photos in XPDigital Photos in XP
  2. ScanningScanning
  3. Windows Media PlayerWindows Media Player
  4. Windows Movie MakerWindows Movie Maker
  5. Making WAVs with Sound RecorderMaking WAVs with Sound Recorder
4. Chapter 9 The Control PanelThe Control Panel
  1. Category View: The Big XP ChangeCategory View\ The Big XP Change
  2. Accessibility OptionsAccessibility Options
  3. Add New HardwareAdd New Hardware
  4. Add or Remove ProgramsAdd or Remove Programs
  5. Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools
  6. Date and TimeDate and Time
  7. DisplayDisplay
  8. Folder OptionsFolder Options
  9. FontsFonts
  10. Gaming OptionsGaming Options
  11. Internet OptionsInternet Options
  12. KeyboardKeyboard
  13. MouseMouse
  14. Network ConnectionsNetwork Connections
  15. Phone and Modem OptionsPhone and Modem Options
  16. Power OptionsPower Options
  17. Printers and FaxesPrinters and Faxes
  18. Regional and Language OptionsRegional and Language Options
  19. Scanners and CamerasScanners and Cameras
  20. Scheduled TasksScheduled Tasks
  21. Sounds and Audio DevicesSounds and Audio Devices
  22. SpeechSpeech
  23. SystemSystem
  24. Taskbar and Start MenuTaskbar and Start Menu
  25. User AccountsUser Accounts
Windows OnlinePart Three\ Windows Online
1. Chapter 10 Hooking Up to the InternetHooking Up to the Internet
  1. Five Degrees of Online ReadinessFive Degrees of Online Readiness
  2. How to Get OnlineHow to Get Online
  3. Establishing a Brand-new Internet AccountEstablishing a Brand-new Internet Account
  4. Manually Plugging in Internet SettingsManually Plugging in Internet Settings
  5. Connecting to the InternetConnecting to the Internet
  6. Advanced Modem SettingsAdvanced Modem Settings
2. Chapter 11 Web, Chat, and VideoconferencingWeb, Chat, and Videoconferencing
  1. Internet Explorer 6Internet Explorer 6
  2. Windows MessengerWindows Messenger
3. Chapter 12 Outlook Express 6Outlook Express 6
  1. Setting up Outlook ExpressSetting up Outlook Express
  2. Sending EmailSending Email
  3. Reading EmailReading Email
  4. Configuring Outlook ExpressConfiguring Outlook Express
  5. NewsgroupsNewsgroups
Plugging In to Windows XPPart Four\ Plugging In to Windows XP
1. Chapter 13 Printing, Fonts, and FaxingPrinting, Fonts, and Faxing
  1. Installing a PrinterInstalling a Printer
  2. PrintingPrinting
  3. Controlling PrintoutsControlling Printouts
  4. Fancy Printer TricksFancy Printer Tricks
  5. Printer TroubleshootingPrinter Troubleshooting
  6. FontsFonts
  7. FaxingFaxing
2. Chapter 14 HardwareHardware
  1. The Master Compatibility ListThe Master Compatibility List
  2. Hardware ConnectionsHardware Connections
  3. Connecting New GadgetsConnecting New Gadgets
  4. When Plug and Play Doesn’t WorkWhen Plug and Play Doesn’t Work
  5. Driver SigningDriver Signing
  6. The Device ManagerThe Device Manager
  7. Hardware ProfilesHardware Profiles
3. Chapter 15 Maintenance, Backups, and TroubleshootingMaintenance, Backups, and Troubleshooting
  1. System RestoreSystem Restore
  2. Disk CleanupDisk Cleanup
  3. Disk DefragmenterDisk Defragmenter
  4. Hard Drive CheckupsHard Drive Checkups
  5. Disk ManagementDisk Management
  6. Task SchedulerTask Scheduler
  7. Microsoft BackupMicrosoft Backup
  8. The BriefcaseThe Briefcase
  9. Safe Mode and the Startup MenuSafe Mode and the Startup Menu
  10. The RegistryThe Registry
Building a NetworkPart Five\ Building a Network
1. Chapter 16 Accounts, Security, and Logging OnAccounts, Security, and Logging On
  1. Introducing User AccountsIntroducing User Accounts
  2. Setting up AccountsSetting up Accounts
  3. Setting Up the Logon ProcessSetting Up the Logon Process
  4. Logging OnLogging On
  5. The Guest AccountThe Guest Account
  6. The Administrator AccountThe Administrator Account
  7. All About ProfilesAll About Profiles
2. Chapter 17 Setting Up a NetworkSetting Up a Network
  1. Kinds of NetworksKinds of Networks
  2. Installing DriversInstalling Drivers
  3. Internet Connection SharingInternet Connection Sharing
  4. The Network Setup WizardThe Network Setup Wizard
3. Chapter 18 Using Your NetworkUsing Your Network
  1. Simple File SharingSimple File Sharing
  2. The Shared Documents FolderThe Shared Documents Folder
  3. Sharing Your Own FoldersSharing Your Own Folders
  4. Accessing Other ComputersAccessing Other Computers
  5. Working with Network FilesWorking with Network Files
  6. Shared Folders OnlineShared Folders Online
  7. Mapping Shares to Drive LettersMapping Shares to Drive Letters
  8. Three Ways to Dial In from the RoadThree Ways to Dial In from the Road
AppendixesPart Six\ Appendixes
1. Appendix Installing Windows XP Home EditionInstalling Windows XP Home Edition
  1. Before You BeginBefore You Begin
  2. Upgrade vs. Clean InstallUpgrade vs. Clean Install
  3. Dual BootingDual Booting
  4. Choosing a File SystemChoosing a File System
  5. Installing Windows XPInstalling Windows XP
  6. The Setup WizardThe Setup Wizard
  7. The Files and Settings Transfer WizardThe Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
  8. Backing Out of Windows XPBacking Out of Windows XP
2. Appendix Windows XP, Menu by Menu
  1. File Menu
  2. Edit Menu
  3. View Menu
  4. Favorites Menu
  5. Tools Menu
  6. Help Menu