Windows 11 Simplified

by Paul McFedries

Overview

Learn Windows 11 quickly and painlessly with this beginner's guide

Windows 11 Simplified, 2nd Edition is your absolute beginner's guide to the ins and outs of Windows. Fully updated to cover Windows 11 and the latest updates from Microsoft, this highly visual guide covers all the new features in addition to the basics, giving you a one-stop resource for complete Windows 11 mastery. Every page features step-by-step screen shots and plain-English instructions that walk you through everything you need to know, no matter how new you are to Windows. You'll master the basics as you learn how to navigate the user interface, work with files, create user accounts, and practice using the tools that make Windows 11 the most efficient Windows upgrade yet.

This guide gets you up to speed quickly, with step-by-step screen shots that help you follow along with the clear, patient instruction.

• Shed your beginner status with easy-to-follow instructions
• Master the basics of the interface, files, and accounts
• Browse the web, use media features, and send and receive email
• Customize Windows to look and work the way you want

Learning new computer skills can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Even if you have no Windows experience at all, this visually rich guide demonstrates everything you need to know, starting from the very beginning. If you're ready to become fluent in Windows, Windows 11 Simplified, 2nd Edition is the easiest, fastest way to learn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394279876
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/11/2025
Series:	Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech)
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Paul McFedries is a full-time technical writer. Paul has been authoring computer books since 1991, and he has more than 100 books to his credit. Paul's books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. These books include the Wiley titles Teach Yourself VISUALLY Windows 11, Second Edition, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft 365, Second Edition, Google Workspace For Dummies, and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Dummies. Paul invites you to drop by his personal website at https://paulmcfedries.com and to follow him on X @paulmcf and on Facebook at https://facebook.com/PaulMcFedries.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started with Windows

Explore the PC Screen 4

Explore the Start Menu 5

Start and Close an App 6

Connect to Your Wireless Network 8

Put Windows to Sleep 10

Restart or Shut Down Windows 11

Install an App 12

Switch Between Running Apps 14

Arrange Running Apps 16

Uninstall an App 18

Chapter 2 Customizing Windows

Pin an App to the Start Menu 22

Open the Settings App 24

Change the Lock Screen Background 26

Choose a Lock Screen Status App 28

Customize Syncing Between Devices 30

Access an App’s Features 32

Pin an App to the Taskbar 34

Change the Theme 36

Adjust the Volume 38

Set the Time Zone 39

Configure Windows to Work with Multiple Monitors 40

Customize the Taskbar 42

Chapter 3 Surfing the Web

Open a Web Page 46

Open a Web Page in a Tab 48

Navigate Web Pages 50

Find Text on a Page 51

Navigate with the History List 52

Change Your Startup Page 54

Save Favorite Web Pages 56

Take Advantage of the Favorites Bar 58

Share a Web Page 60

Search for Sites 62

Download a File 64

Chapter 4 Sending and Receiving Email

Launch the Outlook App 68

Add Your Microsoft Account 69

Configure More Email Accounts 70

Send an Email Message 72

Format the Message Text 74

Add a File Attachment 76

Save a Draft of a Message 78

Receive and Read Email Messages 80

Reply to a Message 82

Forward a Message 84

Open and Save an Attachment 86

Delete a Message 88

Create a Folder for Saving Messages 90

Chapter 5 Performing Day-to-Day Tasks with Apps

Create a Contact 94

Import Contacts 96

View Your Calendar 98

Add an Event to Your Calendar 100

Create a Recurring Event 102

Add an Event Reminder 103

Search Your PC 104

Write a Note 106

Make a To-Do List 108

Display a Location on a Map 110

Get Directions to a Location 112

Check Your Weather Forecast 114

Check Another City’s Weather Forecast 116

Chapter 6 Working with Images

Import Images from a Digital Camera 120

Navigate the Pictures Folder 122

View Your Images 124

Start a Slide Show 126

Mark a Photo as a Favorite 127

Repair an Image 128

Add a Photo Effect 130

Crop an Image 132

Rotate an Image 134

Delete an Image 135

Take a Picture with Your PC Camera 136

Chapter 7 Working with Multimedia

Import Videos from a Digital Camera 140

Navigate the Videos Folder 142

Watch a Video 144

Trim a Video 146

Buy or Rent a Movie or TV Show 148

Navigate the Music Folder 150

Play Music 152

Create a Playlist 154

Chapter 8 Editing Documents

Create and Save a Document 158

Open a Document 160

Edit Document Text 162

Find Text 166

Replace Text 168

Insert Special Symbols 170

Chapter 9 Working with Files

Select a File 174

Change the File View 176

Preview a File 177

Copy a File 178

Move a File 179

Rename a File 180

Create a New File 181

Delete a File 182

Restore a Deleted File 183

Chapter 10 Implementing Security

Understanding Windows Security 186

Check for Security Problems 188

Scan Your PC for Threats 190

Display the Sign-In Options 191

Sign In with a PIN 192

Set Up a Fingerprint Sign-In 194

Sign In with Facial Recognition 196

Lock Your Computer 198

Configure Your PC to Lock Automatically 200

Browse the Web Privately 202

Chapter 11 Making Windows More Accessible

Increase the Text Size 206

Magnify Screen Areas 208

Have Screen Text Read to You 210

Change to a High-Contrast Theme 212

Apply a Color Filter 214

Flash the Screen During Audio Notifications 216

Make the Keyboard More Accessible 218

Control Windows Via Voice 220

Chapter 12 Putting AI to Work with Copilot

Understanding Microsoft Copilot 224

Chat with Copilot 226

Generate Text from a Prompt 228

Rewrite Existing Text 230

Generate an Image from a Prompt 232

Add an Image to a Chat Session 234

Voice Chat with Copilot 236

Index 238