Windows 7 Step by Step

Book description

Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself the essentials of working with Windows 7. With STEP BY STEP, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Learn to manage windows and folders, sort and filter files, create an efficient Windows working environment, and safely access the Internet. You’ll learn how to install and manage software and hardware, create and manage homegroups, share content with other computers and computer users, and instantly locate content stored on your PC or network. You’ll also learn how to fine-tune your PC’s performance and resolve common problems. Plus, the supplied practice files give you a chance to hone your skills and put the book’s lessons to work.

For customers who purchase an ebook version of this title, instructions for downloading the CD files can be found in the ebook.

Table of contents

  1. Windows 7 Step by Step
  2. The Team
  3. Introducing Windows 7
    1. Windows 7 Editions
    2. Minimum System Requirements
      1. Windows 7
      2. Step-by-Step Exercises
    3. Installing Windows 7
      1. Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 7
      2. Upgrading to Windows 7
      3. Activating Windows
  4. Features and Conventions of This Book
  5. Using the Practice Files
    1. Installing the Practice Files
    2. Locating the Practice Files
    3. Removing and Uninstalling the Practice Files
  6. Information for New Computer Users
    1. Your Mouse
    2. Your Keyboard
    3. Windows
    4. Commands, Buttons, and Keyboard Shortcuts
    5. Dialog Boxes and Message Boxes
  7. Getting Help
    1. Errata & Book Support
    2. Getting Help with Windows 7
    3. More Information
    4. We Want to Hear from You
    5. Stay in Touch
  8. I. Getting Started with Windows 7
    1. 1. Explore Windows 7
      1. Logging On to Windows 7
      2. Exploring the Desktop
      3. Using the Start Menu
        1. Exploring the Left Pane of the Start Menu
        2. Exploring the Right Pane of the Start Menu
      4. Using the Windows Taskbar
        1. Taskbar Buttons
        2. Notification Area
      5. Exploring Control Panel
        1. Control Panel Categories
        2. Accessing Individual Control Panel Items
        3. Different Ways of Opening Control Panel Items
      6. Finding Information About Your Computer System
      7. Updating Windows System Files
        1. Types of Updates
        2. Completing an Update
        3. Windows Update Options
      8. Ending a Computing Session
      9. Key Points
    2. 2. Manage User Accounts
      1. Understanding User Accounts and Permissions
        1. User Account Types
        2. User Account Control
      2. Creating a User Account
      3. Managing a User Account
      4. Limiting Computer Access
      5. Disabling or Deleting a User Account
      6. Key Points
    3. 3. Manage Your Network
      1. Connecting to a Network
        1. Home and Work Network Settings
        2. Public Network Settings
        3. Network Information
      2. Creating a Homegroup
      3. Working with a Homegroup
        1. Joining an Existing Homegroup
        2. Homegroup Settings for Shared Computers
        3. Leaving a Homegroup
      4. Sharing Files on Your Network
        1. Public Folders
        2. Homegroup Resources
        3. Individual Files, Folders, and Libraries
      5. Storage Drives
      6. Managing a Network Connection
      7. Key Points
    4. 4. Navigate Windows and Folders
      1. Working with Windows
        1. Sizing, Moving, and Arranging Windows
        2. Hiding and Displaying Windows
      2. Understanding Files, Folders, and Libraries
        1. File Types
        2. Windows System Folders
        3. Folder Window Features
        4. Displaying and Hiding Panes
      3. Finding Your Way Around Your Computer
      4. Connecting to Network Resources
        1. Navigating to a Shared Folder
        2. Mapping a Network Drive
      5. Finding Specific Information
        1. Windows Search
        2. Windows Search Parameters
      6. Key Points
    5. 5. Manage Folders and Files
      1. Viewing Folders and Files in Different Ways
        1. Changing the Folder View
        2. Grouping Folder Content
        3. Sorting and Filtering Folder Content
        4. Changing Folder Options
      2. Working with Folder and File Properties
        1. File Properties
        2. Folder Properties
      3. Creating and Renaming Folders and Files
      4. Moving and Copying Folders and Files
      5. Deleting and Recovering Folders and Files
      6. Creating Shortcuts
        1. Desktop Shortcuts
        2. Start Menu Pinned Items
        3. Taskbar Pinned Items
        4. Favorites Group
      7. Key Points
  9. II. Experiencing the World Wide Web
    1. 6. Connect to the Web
      1. Connecting to the Internet
      2. Setting Up Internet Explorer 8
      3. Displaying Web Sites
        1. Specifying Sites and Pages
        2. Internet Explorer 8 Interface Elements
      4. Working with Tabs and Pages
      5. Key Points
    2. 7. Work with Web Pages and Sites
      1. Working with Web Page Content
      2. Subscribing to Web Feeds
        1. RSS Feeds
        2. Web Slices
      3. Finding, Saving, and Returning to Web Sites
        1. Finding Sites
        2. Choosing a Search Provider
        3. Saving Sites
      4. Sending Web Pages and Links
      5. Key Points
    3. 8. Manage Internet Explorer
      1. Personalizing Internet Explorer 8
        1. Changing Your Home Page
        2. Changing the Appearance of Web Content
      2. Blocking Pop-Up Windows
      3. Configuring Internet Security Zones
      4. Restricting Objectionable Content
      5. Key Points
  10. III. Managing Your Computer
    1. 9. Change Visual Elements
      1. Applying a Standard Theme
      2. Modifying a Theme
        1. Desktop Background
        2. Window Color
        3. Sounds
        4. Custom Themes
      3. Implementing a Screen Saver
      4. Displaying More or Less Information
      5. Key Points
    2. 10. Change System Settings
      1. Modifying the Start Menu
      2. Modifying the Taskbar
        1. Position and Size
        2. Taskbar Toolbars
        3. Taskbar Properties
        4. Notification Area
      3. Managing the Date and Time Display
      4. Changing the Computer Name
      5. Configuring Power Options
      6. Key Points
    3. 11. Work with Programs
      1. Exploring Windows 7 Programs
        1. Windows Essentials
        2. Media Management
        3. Communication Tools
        4. Utilities
        5. Games
      2. Using and Modifying Desktop Gadgets
      3. Exploring Windows Live Programs and Services
        1. Windows Live Essentials
        2. Windows Online Services
      4. Installing and Removing Programs
        1. Installing Programs
        2. Removing Programs
      5. Starting Programs Automatically
      6. Specifying Default Programs
      7. Key Points
    4. 12. Set Up Hardware Devices
      1. Installing Peripheral Devices
      2. Sharing a Local Printer
      3. Connecting to a Remote Printer
      4. Displaying Your Desktop on Multiple Screens
      5. Setting Up Sound Devices
        1. Setting Up Speakers
        2. Setting Up a Microphone
      6. Changing the Way Your Mouse Works
      7. Changing the Way Your Keyboard Works
      8. Rating Your Computer’s Hardware
      9. Locating Device Information
      10. Key Points
    5. Glossary
  11. Index
  12. About the Authors
  13. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: Windows 7 Step by Step
  • Author(s): Joan Lambert and Joyce Cox
  • Release date: September 2009
  • Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
  • ISBN: 9780735634817