Windows 7 The Missing Manual {|[email protected]|}
Table of Contents
The Missing Credits...................................................................................xii
Introduction.................................................................................................1
What’s New......................................................................................................................................... 3
About This Book................................................................................................................................. 7
The Very Basics................................................................................................................................... 9
Part One: The Windows 7 Desktop
Chapter 1: Getting Started, Desktop, & Start Menu...............................21
Getting Started.................................................................................................................................... 21
The Windows Desktop—Now with Aero!......................................................................................... 23
The Start Menu................................................................................................................................... 26
The All Programs List.......................................................................................................................... 30
Start Menu: The Right Side................................................................................................................ 33
StartÆShut down (Sleep, Restart, Log Off…)................................................................................ 36
Customizing the Start Menu.............................................................................................................. 41
Jump Lists............................................................................................................................................ 51
The Run Command............................................................................................................................ 55
Chapter 2: Explorer, Windows, & the Taskbar....................................... 59
Universal Window Controls............................................................................................................... 59
New Window Tricks in Windows 7................................................................................................... 64
Windows Flip (Alt+Tab)...................................................................................................................... 69
Windows Flip 3D................................................................................................................................ 70
Explorer Window Controls................................................................................................................. 71
Optional Window Panes..................................................................................................................... 75
Libraries............................................................................................................................................... 81
Tags, Metadata, and Properties......................................................................................................... 86
Icon and List Views............................................................................................................................. 88
Sorting, Grouping, and Filtering........................................................................................................ 92
Uni-Window vs. Multi-Window......................................................................................................... 96
Immortalizing Your Tweaks................................................................................................................ 97
The “Folder Options” Options........................................................................................................... 97
Taskbar 2.0.......................................................................................................................................... 101
Three Ways to Get the Taskbar Out of Your Hair............................................................................ 114
Taskbar Toolbars................................................................................................................................. 115
Chapter 3: Searching & Organizing Your Files......................................121
Meet Windows Search........................................................................................................................ 121
Search from the Start Menu.............................................................................................................. 122
Explorer-Window Searches................................................................................................................ 130
The Search Index................................................................................................................................ 132
Saved Searches................................................................................................................................... 138
The Folders of Windows 7................................................................................................................. 140
Life with Icons..................................................................................................................................... 144
Selecting Icons.................................................................................................................................... 150
Copying and Moving Folders and Files............................................................................................ 153
The Recycle Bin.................................................................................................................................. 156
Shortcut Icons..................................................................................................................................... 160
Compressing Files and Folders......................................................................................................... 163
Burning CDs and DVDs from the Desktop....................................................................................... 166
Chapter 4: Interior Decorating Windows..............................................173
Aero or Not......................................................................................................................................... 173
A Gallery of Themes.......................................................................................................................... 176
Desktop Background (Wallpaper).................................................................................................... 179
Window Color..................................................................................................................................... 182
Sounds................................................................................................................................................. 184
Screen Savers...................................................................................................................................... 184
Desktop Icons..................................................................................................................................... 187
Mouse Makeover................................................................................................................................ 188
Preserving Your Tweaks for Posterity............................................................................................... 190
Monitor Settings................................................................................................................................. 192
Chapter 5: Getting Help..........................................................................199
Navigating the Help System............................................................................................................... 199
Remote Assistance............................................................................................................................. 202
Getting Help from Microsoft.............................................................................................................. 209
Part Two: Windows 7 Software
Chapter 6: Programs, Documents, & Gadgets.......................................213
Opening Programs............................................................................................................................. 213
Exiting Programs................................................................................................................................. 214
When Programs Die: The Task Manager......................................................................................... 215
Saving Documents............................................................................................................................. 217
Closing Documents............................................................................................................................ 221
The Open Dialog Box.......................................................................................................................... 221
Moving Data Between Documents................................................................................................... 222
Speech Recognition............................................................................................................................ 225
Gadgets................................................................................................................................................ 234
Filename Extensions and File Associations...................................................................................... 242
Installing Software.............................................................................................................................. 250
Uninstalling Software......................................................................................................................... 255
Program Compatibility Modes.......................................................................................................... 257
Windows XP Mode............................................................................................................................. 260
Chapter 7: The Freebie Apps................................................................. 265
Windows Live Essentials..................................................................................................................... 265
Default Programs............................................................................................................................... 267
Desktop Gadget Gallery..................................................................................................................... 267
Internet Explorer................................................................................................................................. 267
Windows Anytime Upgrade............................................................................................................... 268
Windows DVD Maker......................................................................................................................... 269
Windows Fax and Scan...................................................................................................................... 269
Windows Media Center...................................................................................................................... 269
Windows Media Player....................................................................................................................... 269
Windows Live Movie Maker.............................................................................................................. 269
Windows Update................................................................................................................................ 269
XPS Viewer.......................................................................................................................................... 270
Accessories.......................................................................................................................................... 270
Connect to a Network Projector........................................................................................................ 273
Games.................................................................................................................................................. 294
Maintenance....................................................................................................................................... 300
Startup................................................................................................................................................. 300
Windows Live...................................................................................................................................... 300
Chapter 8: The Control Panel.................................................................311
Many Roads to Control Panel............................................................................................................ 311
The Control Panel, Applet by Applet................................................................................................ 315
Part Three: Windows 7 Online
Chapter 9: Hooking Up to the Internet................................................. 343
Your New Network Neighborhood................................................................................................... 344
Wired Connections............................................................................................................................. 345
WiFi Hot Spots.................................................................................................................................... 346
Cellular Modems................................................................................................................................ 351
Dial-Up Connections.......................................................................................................................... 352
Connection Management................................................................................................................... 354
Chapter 10: Internet Security................................................................ 357
Microsoft Security Essentials............................................................................................................. 359
Action Center...................................................................................................................................... 361
Windows Firewall............................................................................................................................... 363
Windows Defender............................................................................................................................ 367
SmartScreen Filter.............................................................................................................................. 373
Privacy and Cookies........................................................................................................................... 375
History: Erasing Your Tracks.............................................................................................................. 379
The Pop-Up Blocker........................................................................................................................... 380
InPrivate Browsing............................................................................................................................. 383
InPrivate Filtering............................................................................................................................... 383
Internet Security Zones...................................................................................................................... 386
Hot Spot Security................................................................................................................................ 387
Protect Your Home Wireless Network.............................................................................................. 389
Parental Controls................................................................................................................................ 390
Chapter 11: Internet Explorer 8............................................................. 399
IE8: The Grand Tour........................................................................................................................... 400
Tabbed Browsing................................................................................................................................ 405
Favorites (Bookmarks)...................................................................................................................... 409
History List........................................................................................................................................... 412
RSS: The Missing Manual................................................................................................................... 414
Web Slices........................................................................................................................................... 417
Tips for Better Surfing........................................................................................................................ 417
The Keyboard Shortcut Master List.................................................................................................. 425
Chapter 12: Windows Live Mail............................................................ 427
Setting Up Windows Mail................................................................................................................... 428
Sending Email..................................................................................................................................... 431
Reading Email..................................................................................................................................... 438
Junk Email........................................................................................................................................... 447
The World of Mail Settings................................................................................................................. 450
Calendar.............................................................................................................................................. 453
RSS Feeds............................................................................................................................................ 461
Newsgroups........................................................................................................................................ 462
Chapter 13: Windows Live Services...................................................... 467
Home................................................................................................................................................... 468
Profile .................................................................................................................................................. 468
Spaces.................................................................................................................................................. 469
Mail...................................................................................................................................................... 470
Photos.................................................................................................................................................. 470
SkyDrive............................................................................................................................................... 472
Calendar.............................................................................................................................................. 476
Part Four: Pictures, Music, & TV
Chapter 14: Windows Live Photo Gallery.............................................481
Photo Gallery: The Application......................................................................................................... 482
Getting Pictures into Photo Gallery.................................................................................................. 483
The Post-Dump Slideshow................................................................................................................. 490
The Digital Shoebox........................................................................................................................... 491
Tags and Ratings................................................................................................................................. 500
Editing Your Shots.............................................................................................................................. 504
Finding Your Audience....................................................................................................................... 513
Chapter 15: Windows Media Player......................................................521
The Lay of the Land........................................................................................................................... 522
Importing Music Files......................................................................................................................... 524
Music Playback .................................................................................................................................. 525
Playlists................................................................................................................................................ 532
Burning Your Own CDs....................................................................................................................... 534
Sharing Music on the Network.......................................................................................................... 536
Online Music Stores........................................................................................................................... 541
DVD Movies......................................................................................................................................... 542
Pictures and Videos............................................................................................................................ 544
Chapter 16: Windows Media Center......................................................547
Your Gear List..................................................................................................................................... 548
Setup.................................................................................................................................................... 549
The Main Menu.................................................................................................................................. 552
Extras.................................................................................................................................................... 553
Pictures+Videos.................................................................................................................................. 554
Music: Your PC as Jukebox................................................................................................................. 558
Now Playing........................................................................................................................................ 562
Movies.................................................................................................................................................. 562
TV: Your PC as TiVo............................................................................................................................ 563
Sports................................................................................................................................................... 571
Tasks..................................................................................................................................................... 572
Settings................................................................................................................................................ 572
Part Five: Hardware & Peripherals
Chapter 17: Print, Fax, & Scan................................................................577
Installing a Printer.............................................................................................................................. 577
Printing................................................................................................................................................ 582
Controlling Printouts.......................................................................................................................... 586
Fancy Printer Tricks............................................................................................................................ 587
Printer Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................... 593
Fonts..................................................................................................................................................... 595
Faxing................................................................................................................................................... 595
Scanning Documents......................................................................................................................... 601
Chapter 18: Hardware............................................................................ 603
External Gadgets................................................................................................................................. 604
Device Stage........................................................................................................................................ 607
Installing Cards in Expansion Slots................................................................................................... 609
Troubleshooting Newly Installed Gear............................................................................................. 611
Driver Signing..................................................................................................................................... 613
The Device Manager.......................................................................................................................... 613
Chapter 19: Laptops, Tablets, & Touchscreens......................................619
Laptops................................................................................................................................................ 620
Tablet PCs and Touchscreen PCs....................................................................................................... 623
Windows Touch.................................................................................................................................. 633
Windows Mobile................................................................................................................................ 635
Offline Files & Sync Center................................................................................................................. 635
Part Six: PC Health
Chapter 20: Maintenance & Speed Tweaks.......................................... 643
The Action Center............................................................................................................................... 643
Disk Cleanup....................................................................................................................................... 644
Disk Defragmenter............................................................................................................................. 645
Hard Drive Checkups......................................................................................................................... 647
Disk Management.............................................................................................................................. 649
Task Scheduler.................................................................................................................................... 654
Three Speed Tricks............................................................................................................................. 657
Windows Update................................................................................................................................ 662
Chapter 21: The Disk Chapter................................................................ 667
Dynamic Disks.................................................................................................................................... 667
Compressing Files and Folders......................................................................................................... 675
Encrypting Files and Folders.............................................................................................................. 679
BitLocker Drive Encryption................................................................................................................ 682
Chapter 22: Backups, System Restore, & Troubleshooting................. 687
Automatic Backups............................................................................................................................ 687
System Images.................................................................................................................................... 694
System Restore................................................................................................................................... 695
Shadow Copies (Previous Versions)................................................................................................. 700
Safe Mode and the Startup Menu..................................................................................................... 702
Troubleshooting Tools........................................................................................................................ 704
Startup Repair (Windows Recovery Environment)......................................................................... 707
Part Seven: Networking & Homegroups
Chapter 23: Accounts & Logging On......................................................713
Introducing User Accounts................................................................................................................. 713
Windows 7: The OS with Two Faces................................................................................................. 715
Local Accounts.................................................................................................................................... 715
Authenticate Yourself: User Account Control.................................................................................. 726
Local Accounts on a Domain Computer.......................................................................................... 729
Local Users and Groups..................................................................................................................... 730
Fast User Switching............................................................................................................................ 736
Logging On.......................................................................................................................................... 737
Profiles................................................................................................................................................. 738
NTFS Permissions: Protecting Your Stuff.......................................................................................... 740
Chapter 24: Setting Up a Workgroup....................................................747
Kinds of Networks.............................................................................................................................. 748
Sharing an Internet Connection........................................................................................................ 753
The Network and Sharing Center..................................................................................................... 755
Chapter 25: Network Domains...............................................................761
The Domain........................................................................................................................................ 762
Joining a Domain............................................................................................................................... 764
Four Ways Life Is Different on a Domain......................................................................................... 766
Chapter 26: Sharing Files on the Network............................................773
Three Ways to Share Files.................................................................................................................. 774
Homegroups....................................................................................................................................... 775
Sharing the Public Folders................................................................................................................. 780
Sharing Any Folder............................................................................................................................ 783
Accessing Shared Folders................................................................................................................... 789
Mapping Shares to Drive Letters....................................................................................................... 793
Chapter 27: Windows by Remote Control............................................797
Remote Access Basics......................................................................................................................... 797
Dialing Direct...................................................................................................................................... 798
Virtual Private Networking................................................................................................................. 803
Remote Desktop................................................................................................................................. 805
Part Eight: Appendixes
Appendix A: Installing & Upgrading to Windows 7............................. 817
Before You Begin................................................................................................................................ 817
Upgrade vs. Clean Install.................................................................................................................... 819
Dual Booting....................................................................................................................................... 821
Installing Windows 7........................................................................................................................... 823
Getting Started.................................................................................................................................... 828
Activation............................................................................................................................................. 828
Windows Easy Transfer...................................................................................................................... 830
Appendix B: Fun with the Registry....................................................... 835
Meet Regedit....................................................................................................................................... 836
Regedit Examples............................................................................................................................... 839
Appendix C: Where’d It Go?.................................................................. 843
Appendix D: The Master Keyboard Shortcut List................................ 849
Index........................................................................................................ 855
