Windows Vista Step by Step Deluxe Edition

Table of Contents

About the Authors; The Team; Online Training Solutions, Inc. (OTSI); Introducing Windows Vista; Windows Vista Editions; Let’s Get Started!; The Microsoft Business Certification Program; Selecting a Certification Path; Becoming a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist—Windows Vista; Taking a Microsoft Business Certification Exam; For More Information; Information for New Computer Users; Using Your Mouse; Working with Windows; Giving Instructions; Message Boxes; Features and Conventions of This Book; Using the Companion CD; What’s on the CD?; Minimum System Requirements; Installing the Practice Files; Using the Practice Files; Removing and Uninstalling the Practice Files; Getting Help; Getting Help with This Book and Its Companion CD; Getting Help with Windows Vista; Quick Reference; 1 Getting Started with Windows Vista; 2 Working Efficiently in Windows Vista; 3 Working with Folders and Files; 4 Personalizing Windows Vista; 5 Installing and Configuring Devices; 6 Safely and Efficiently Accessing the Internet; 7 Working with Programs; 8 Making Connections; 9 Communicating with Other People; 10 Staying Organized; 11 Working with Graphics and Documents; 12 Working with Digital Media; 13 Managing Computer Security; 14 Optimizing Your Computer System; 15 Identifying and Solving Problems; Chapter 1: Getting Started with Windows Vista; 1.1 Logging On to Windows Vista; 1.2 Activating Windows; 1.3 Updating Windows System Files; 1.4 Ending a Computing Session; 1.5 Making Your Computer Easier to Use; 1.6 Key Points; 1.7 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 2: Working Efficiently in Windows Vista; 2.1 Finding Your Way Around the Windows Desktop; 2.2 Using and Modifying the Start Menu; 2.3 Finding Your Way Around Your Computer; 2.4 Using and Modifying the Taskbar; 2.5 Controlling Your Computer by Using Voice Commands; 2.6 Creating Shortcuts to Files, Folders, and Programs; 2.7 Rearranging and Deleting Items on the Desktop; 2.8 Key Points; 2.9 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 3: Working with Folders and Files; 3.1 Navigating to Folders and Files; 3.2 Viewing Folders and Files in Different Ways; 3.3 Viewing Information About a Folder or File; 3.4 Creating, Renaming, and Deleting Folders and Files; 3.5 Moving and Copying Folders and Files; 3.6 Finding Specific Information; 3.7 Key Points; 3.8 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 4: Personalizing Windows Vista; 4.1 Changing the Look of Windows Vista on Your Screen; 4.2 Optimizing Visual Effects; 4.3 Changing the Desktop Background; 4.4 Selecting and Managing a Screen Saver; 4.5 Managing Your System Date and Time; 4.6 Changing Your Computer’s Name; 4.7 Key Points; 4.8 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 5: Installing and Configuring Devices; 5.1 Displaying More on Your Monitor; 5.2 Configuring Your System for Multiple Monitors; 5.3 Changing the Way Your Mouse Works; 5.4 Changing the Keyboard Input Language; 5.5 Configuring Tablet PC Options; 5.6 Installing and Sharing a Local Printer; 5.7 Connecting to a Remote Printer; 5.8 Setting Up Speakers; 5.9 Setting Up a Microphone; 5.10 Key Points; 5.11 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 6: Safely and Efficiently Accessing the Internet; 6.1 Connecting to the Internet; 6.2 Displaying Web Sites in Internet Explorer 7; 6.3 Blocking Pop-Up Windows; 6.4 Changing Your Home Page; 6.5 Changing the Appearance of Web Content; 6.6 Finding, Saving, and Returning to Web Sites; 6.7 Printing Web Pages; 6.8 Sending Web Pages and Links to Other People; 6.9 Discovering and Subscribing to RSS Feeds; 6.10 Restricting Objectionable Content; 6.11 Key Points; 6.12 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 7: Working with Programs; 7.1 Installing and Removing Programs; 7.2 Managing Hard Disks; 7.3 Starting Programs Automatically; 7.4 Specifying the Default Program for a Type of File; 7.5 Recovering from Software Errors; 7.6 Playing Games; 7.7 Key Points; 7.8 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 8: Making Connections; 8.1 Connecting Your Computer to a Workgroup; 8.2 Setting Up a VPN Connection; 8.3 Connecting Your Computer to a Domain; 8.4 Accessing Your Domain Computer Remotely; 8.5 Sharing Drives and Folders; 8.6 Key Points; 8.7 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 9: Communicating with Other People; 9.1 Setting Up Windows Mail; 9.2 Sending and Receiving E-Mail Messages; 9.3 Faxing and Scanning Documents; 9.4 Conducting Online Meetings; 9.5 Key Points; 9.6 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 10: Staying Organized; 10.1 Using and Modifying Sidebar Gadgets; 10.2 Recording Notes; 10.3 Keeping Track of Contacts; 10.4 Keeping Track of Appointments and Meetings; 10.5 Key Points; 10.6 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 11: Working with Graphics and Documents; 11.1 Creating Simple Graphics; 11.2 Changing the Content, Size, and Orientation of Graphics; 11.3 Saving Graphic Files in Different Formats; 11.4 Printiiiiiing Graphics; 11.5 Creating Simple Documents; 11.6 Formatting Words and Paragraphs; 11.7 Inserting Text and Graphics; 11.8 Printing Documents; 11.9 Key Points; 11.10 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 12: Working with Digital Media; 12.1 Viewing, Cataloging, and Fixing Pictures; 12.2 Playing Music; 12.3 Configuring Windows Media Center Options; 12.4 Burning Audio and Data Discs; 12.5 Sharing Pictures and Other Digital Media Files; 12.6 Key Points; 12.7 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 13: Managing Computer Security; 13.1 Administering Windows User Accounts; 13.2 Managing Your Windows User Account; 13.3 Limiting Access to the Computer, to Programs, and to the Internet; 13.4 Analyzing Your Computer’s Security; 13.5 Configuring Internet Security Zones; 13.6 Key Points; 13.7 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 14: Optimizing Your Computer System; 14.1 Locating System Information; 14.2 Monitoring Your Computer’s Performance; 14.3 Improving Your Computer’s Performance; 14.4 Turning Windows Features On and Off; 14.5 Managing Cached Files; 14.6 Removing Unnecessary Files; 14.7 Key Points; 14.8 Keyboard Shortcuts; Chapter 15: Identifying and Solving Problems; 15.1 Finding Solutions to Common Problems; 15.2 Finding Information Through a Newsgroup; 15.3 Getting Help from Other Windows Users; 15.4 Backing Up and Restoring Files; 15.5 Restoring Your Operating System; 15.6 Transferring Software, Settings, and Files to Another Computer; 15.7 Key Points; 15.8 Keyboard Shortcuts; Glossary; Choose the Right Book for You;