Table of Contents
Acknowledgments;
Conventions and Features Used in This Book;
Text Conventions;
Design Conventions;
About the CD;
What’s on the CD;
System Requirements;
Support Information;
Part I: Setup and Startup;
Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows Vista;
1.1 Introducing the Windows Vista Family;
1.2 The Windows Vista Interface: Up Close and Personalized;
1.3 Searching, Sharing, and Other File Management Tasks;
1.4 Windows Vista Security at a Glance;
1.5 Digital Media Essentials;
1.6 Inside Internet Explorer 7;
1.7 Mail and Collaboration;
1.8 Performance and Reliability;
1.9 And Much, Much More...;
Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Windows Vista;
2.1 Before You Start...;
2.2 Setting Up Windows Vista;
2.3 Activating and Validating Windows Vista;
2.4 Transferring Files and Settings from Another Computer;
2.5 Configuring System Recovery Options;
2.6 Finishing Your Windows Vista Installation;
Chapter 3: Personalizing Windows Vista;
3.1 Customizing the Aero User Interface;
3.2 Turning Aero Off;
3.3 Modifying the Predefined Color Schemes;
3.4 Making Text Easier to Read;
3.5 Customizing the Desktop Background;
3.6 Choosing a Screen Saver;
3.7 Changing the Way Events Are Mapped to Sounds;
3.8 Customizing Mouse Pointers;
3.9 Saving Your Settings as a Theme;
3.10 Configuring Screen Resolution;
3.11 Configuring a Multi-Monitor Display;
3.12 Configuring Desktop Icons;
3.13 Using and Customizing Windows Sidebar;
3.14 Personalizing the Start Menu;
3.15 Launching Programs with the Quick Launch Toolbar;
3.16 Customizing the Taskbar;
3.17 Controlling the Display of Icons in the Notification Area;
3.18 Using Additional Toolbars;
3.19 Setting Default Programs, File Type Associations, and AutoPlay Options;
Chapter 4: Adding, Removing, and Managing Programs;
4.1 Dealing with User Account Control (UAC);
4.2 Dealing with Compatibility Issues;
4.3 Installing Programs on 64-bit Versions of Windows;
4.4 Creating and Customizing Program Shortcuts;
4.5 Managing Startup Programs;
4.6 Managing Running Programs and Processes with Windows Task Manager;
4.7 Running a Program as an Administrator or Another User;
4.8 Uninstalling Programs;
Chapter 5: Setting Up and Troubleshooting Hardware;
5.1 A Crash Course in Device Drivers;
5.2 Installing and Configuring a New Device;
5.3 Changing Settings for an Installed Device;
5.4 Managing Installed Drivers;
5.5 Enabling and Disabling Individual Devices;
5.6 Decoding Hardware Errors;
Chapter 6: Using Internet Explorer 7;
6.1 Choosing a Default Web Browser;
6.2 Using and Personalizing Internet Explorer;
6.3 Managing Your Favorites;
6.4 Blocking Pop-Up Windows;
6.5 Using (or Refusing) AutoComplete;
6.6 Internet Explorer Security and Privacy Options;
6.7 Finding, Reading, and Subscribing to RSS Feeds;
6.8 Using Internet Explorer as an FTP Client;
Chapter 7: Finding and Organizing Files and Information;
7.1 What’s What in Windows Explorer;
7.2 Navigating in Windows Explorer;
7.3 Working with Properties in the Details Pane;
7.4 Managing User Profiles;
7.5 Relocating Personal Data Folders;
7.6 Using and Configuring Search and Indexing;
7.7 Restoring Files and Folders with Previous Versions;
7.8 Recovering Files and Folders with the Recycle Bin;
7.9 Maximizing Storage Space with NTFS Compression and Compressed (Zipped) Folders;
Chapter 8: E-Mail, Collaboration, and Personal Productivity;
8.1 Using Windows Mail;
8.2 Managing Contacts;
8.3 Using Windows Calendar;
8.4 Using Windows Meeting Space;
Chapter 9: Obtaining Help and Support;
9.1 Using Windows Help And Support;
9.2 Connecting to Another PC with Windows Remote Assistance;
Part II: Security and Networking;
Chapter 10: Security Essentials;
10.1 Understanding Security Threats;
10.2 What’s New in Windows Vista;
10.3 Preventing Unsafe Actions with User Account Control;
10.4 Monitoring Security in Windows Vista;
10.5 Blocking Intruders with Windows Firewall;
10.6 Keeping Your System Secure with Windows Update;
10.7 Blocking Viruses and Worms with an Antivirus Program;
10.8 Stopping Spyware with Windows Defender;
10.9 Controlling Your Children’s Computer Access;
Chapter 11: Managing User Accounts, Passwords, and Logons;
11.1 Introducing Windows Security;
11.2 Working with User Accounts;
11.3 Setting a Logon Password;
11.4 Managing the Logon Process;
11.5 What Happened to the Administrator Account?;
11.6 Learning About Your Own Account with Whoami;
11.7 Advanced Account Setup Options;
Chapter 12: Setting Up a Small Network;
12.1 Capabilities of a Small Network;
12.2 What’s New in Windows Vista;
12.3 Using Network And Sharing Center;
12.4 Hardware, Cabling, and Connections;
12.5 Setting Up a Wireless Network;
12.6 Setting Up a Shared Internet Connection;
12.7 Exploring the Network;
12.8 Understanding Location Types;
12.9 Changing Network Settings;
12.10 Managing Network Connections;
Chapter 13: Managing Shared Folders and Printers;
13.1 Understanding Sharing and Security Models in Windows Vista;
13.2 Configuring Your Network for Sharing;
13.3 Sharing Files with Public Folders;
13.4 Sharing Files and Folders from Any Folder;
13.5 Managing Shared Folders;
13.6 Accessing Shared Folders;
13.7 Sharing a Printer;
13.8 Command-Line Utilities for Managing Shared Resources;
Chapter 14: Tweaking and Troubleshooting a Small Network;
14.1 Viewing Status in Network And Sharing Center;
14.2 Diagnosing Problems Using Network Map;
14.3 Troubleshooting TCP/IP Problems;
14.4 Network Troubleshooting Tools;
14.5 Fine-Tuning Network Performance;
14.6 Bridging Two Networks;
Part III: Digital Media;
Chapter 15: Digital Media Essentials;
15.1 Using Windows Media Player;
15.2 Customizing the Player’s Look and Feel;
15.3 Using Plug-Ins and Extensions;
15.4 Adding and Updating Codecs;
15.5 Which File Formats Are Supported?;
15.6 Managing Your Media Library;
15.7 Using Media Center;
15.8 Synchronizing and Sharing Media with Portable Devices;
15.9 Understanding and Protecting Your Digital Rights;
15.10 Security and Privacy Issues;
Chapter 16: Playing and Organizing a Digital Music Collection;
16.1 Playing Music in Windows Media Player;
16.2 Building a Digital Music Library;
16.3 Organizing a Music Collection;
16.4 Working with Playlists;
16.5 Burning Custom CDs or DVDs;
Chapter 17: Viewing, Organizing, and Sharing Digital Photos;
17.1 Using Windows Photo Gallery;
17.2 Importing Pictures into the Gallery;
17.3 Organizing and Categorizing Your Digital Pictures;
17.4 Editing Image Files;
17.5 Sharing Digital Images;
Chapter 18: Creating and Watching Movies and DVDs;
18.1 Watching DVDs in Windows Media Player;
18.2 Introducing Windows Movie Maker;
18.3 Planning a Movie Maker Project;
18.4 Using the Storyboard and Timeline to Assemble a Project;
18.5 Saving and Sharing Movies;
18.6 Turning Movies and Pictures into Custom DVDs;
Chapter 19: Using Windows Media Center;
19.1 Getting Started with Windows Media Center;
19.2 Recording and Watching TV;
19.3 Connecting and Using a Media Center Extender;
19.4 Sharing a Media Library with Other PCs;
Part IV: System Maintenance and Management;
Chapter 20: Performing Routine Maintenance;
20.1 Checking Disks for Errors;
20.2 Defragmenting Disks for Better Performance;
20.3 Managing Disk Space;
20.4 Smart Backup Strategies;
Chapter 21: Tuning Up and Monitoring Performance;
21.1 Basic Strategies for Improving Performance;
21.2 Taking Performance Snapshots;
21.3 Monitoring Performance in Real Time;
Chapter 22: Monitoring System Activities With Event Viewer;
22.1 Getting Started with Event Viewer;
22.2 Understanding the Event Logs Summary;
22.3 Viewing Individual Logs and Events;
22.4 Monitoring Events;
22.5 Working with Log Files;
Chapter 23: Troubleshooting Windows Errors;
23.1 Configuring and Using Windows Error Reporting;
23.2 Reviewing the Error History with the Reliability Monitor;
23.3 Reviewing the Error History with Event Viewer;
23.4 Rolling Back to a Stable State with System Restore;
23.5 Dealing with Stop Errors;
Chapter 24: Recovering From a Computer Crash;
24.1 Using Advanced Boot Options;
24.2 Making Repairs with the Windows Recovery Environment;
Chapter 25: Managing Services;
25.1 Using the Services Console;
25.2 Recommended Startup Settings for Services;
25.3 Managing Services from a Command Prompt;
25.4 Managing Services from Task Manager;
Chapter 26: Editing the Registry;
26.1 Understanding the Structure of the Registry;
26.2 Avoiding Registry Mishaps;
26.3 Browsing and Editing with Registry Editor;
26.4 Monitoring Registry Changes;
26.5 Using .Reg Files to Automate Registry Changes;
26.6 Working with a Remote Computer’s Registry;
26.7 Changing Registry Key Permissions;
26.8 Restricting Access to Registry Editor;
26.9 Editing the Registry from the Command Line;
Part V: Advanced System Maintenance;
Chapter 27: Advanced Internet Explorer Security and Administration;
27.1 Working with (and Around) Protected Mode;
27.2 Using and Customizing Internet Security Zones;
27.3 Protecting Yourself from Unsafe and Unwanted Software;
27.4 Installing, Removing, and Troubleshooting Add-ons;
27.5 Managing Cookies;
27.6 Managing Internet Explorer’s Cache and History;
27.7 Blocking Objectionable Content;
27.8 Saving and Applying Internet Explorer Settings;
Chapter 28: Managing Disks and Drives;
28.1 Running Disk Management;
28.2 Managing Disks from the Command Prompt;
28.3 Understanding Disk Management Terminology;
28.4 Formatting Disks;
28.5 Creating New Volumes;
28.6 Assigning or Changing a Volume Label;
28.7 Assigning and Changing Drive Letters;
28.8 Mapping a Volume to an NTFS Folder;
28.9 Changing Volume Sizes;
28.10 Deleting a Volume;
28.11 Checking the Properties and Status of Disks and Volumes;
Chapter 29: Controlling Access to Files and Folders;
29.1 Changes to NTFS Permissions in Windows Vista;
29.2 Controlling Access with NTFS Permissions;
29.3 Troubleshooting Permissions Problems;
Chapter 30: Automating Windows Vista;
30.1 Using the Windows Vista Task Scheduler;
30.2 Automating Command Sequences with Batch Programs;
30.3 Automating Tasks with Windows Script Host;
30.4 Finding Resources for Windows PowerShell;
Chapter 31: Advanced Security Management;
31.1 Protecting a System with Windows Firewall;
31.2 Testing Your Computer’s Network Security;
31.3 Managing User Rights;
31.4 Auditing Security Events;
Appendices;
Appendix A: Windows Vista Editions at a Glance;
User Experience;
Security;
Digital Media/Entertainment;
Hardware;
Backup;
Business Applications;
Advanced Networking and Administration;
Appendix B: Working with the Command Prompt;
Starting and Ending a Command Prompt Session;
Using Commands;
Using Environment Variables;
Customizing Command Prompt Windows;
Appendix C: Using and Customizing Microsoft Management Console;
Running MMC Consoles;
Using MMC Consoles;
Creating Your Own MMC Consoles;
Appendix D: Viewing System Information;
Finding Basic Information About Your Computer;
Digging Deeper with Dedicated System Information Tools;
Finding and Decoding Information in System Information;
Exporting System Information;
About the Authors;
Additional Resources for Home and Business;
Choose the Right Book for You;
Published and Upcoming Titles;