What s in This Book?

What's in This Book?

This book is organized around the kinds of things that you want to do with Windows , rather than around a listing of its features. Each part of the book concentrates on a type of work you might want to do with Windows .

Part I: Working in Windows Vista

Part I covers the basics of using Windows. Even if you have used Windows forever, at least skim through this section to learn about XP's entirely new interface environment. If you are new to Windows, you'll want to read it carefully .

Chapter 1 starts with the basics of working in Windows: using the mouse and managing your windows. Chapters 2 and 3 explain how to run and install programs beyond those included with Windows-including using the enhanced compatibility mode options that can run even the oldest DOS and Windows Me/9x/XP programs. Chapter 4 covers the newly revamped Help And Support tool, including how to get assistance from friends , coworkers, and Microsoft over the Internet. Chapter 5 looks at the many ways to move and share information between and among programs. User accounts, which have been vastly improved in Windows XP, are described in Chapter 6. Finally, Chapter 7 introduces you to the new scheduling program, Windows Calendar.

Part II: Managing Your Disk

All the information in your computer is stored in disk files and folders, and Part II helps you keep them organized and safe. Chapters 8 and 9 cover day-to-day file and folder operations, including how to use Windows Explorer (also known as Computer) to manage your files. Chapter 10 describes the backup program that comes with Windows, and how to set up a regular backup regime .

Part III: Configuring Windows for Your Computer

Windows is extremely (some would say excessively) configurable. Part III tells you what items you can configure and makes suggestions for the most effective way to set up your computer.

Chapter 11 covers the redesigned Start menu, the gateway to the features of Windows and your installed programs. Chapter 12 details the desktop, the icons, and other items that reside on your screen, such as the new Sidebar and Gadgets feature. Chapter 13 explains your keyboard and mouse (yes, lots of options exist just for the mouse), and Chapter 14 tells you how to add and set up additional hardware on your computer. Chapter 15 covers printing, including setting up printers and installing fonts, and using the new Fax and Scan features. Chapter 16 highlights the special features that are useful to laptop computer users, including the new Windows Mobility Center to help laptop users manage mobile devices. Chapter 17 covers the Ease of Access features that make Windows more usable for people who may have difficulty using conventional keyboards and mice, seeing the screen, or hearing sounds.

Part IV: Working with Text, Pictures, Sound, and Video

Chapter 18 discusses Windows' simple but useful text and word processing programs and calculator feature. In Chapter 19, you read about new features for viewing, editing, printing, e-mailing , and burning DVDs of your pictures using the Windows Photo Gallery program. Chapters 20 and 21 examine Windows' extensive sound and video multimedia facilities, including the powerful new Windows Media Player 11. Finally, Chapter 22 introduces you to Windows Media Center, an application that makes your computer the hub of your entertainment world.

Part V: Windows Vista on the Internet

Windows offers a complete set of Internet access features, from making network connections to e-mail and the World Wide Web.

Chapter 23 explains the intricacies of setting up a modem to work with Windows, whether you use a dial-up account or a high-speed cable, ISDN, or DSL connection. Chapter 24 tells you how to use that modem to create and set up an account with an Internet service provider or online service. Chapter 25 describes Windows Mail (the upgrade to the ubiquitous Microsoft Outlook Express), the Windows accessory program that handles your e-mail. Chapter 26 covers the new Internet Explorer 7.0, Microsoft's updated web browser. Chapter 27 examines online conferencing with Windows Live Messenger, and Chapter 28 discusses the other Internet applications that come with Windows.

Part VI: Networking with Windows Vista

Because it is based on Windows 2000, which itself was derived from a network server operating system, Windows Vista has extensive built-in networking features. You can set up your Windows machine as a workstation in a large network, as a server in a small network, or as both.

Chapter 29 introduces local area networks, including key concepts such as client-server and peer-to-peer networking. Chapter 30 walks you through the process of creating a small network of Windows systems. Chapter 31 tells you how to share printers and disk drives among your networked computers. Chapter 32 explains how to share one Internet account and modem among all the computers on a LAN. Chapter 33 covers the network security features that Windows Vista provides, including the Windows Firewall.

Part VII: Windows Housekeeping

Windows is sufficiently complex that it needs some regular maintenance and adjustment, and Part VII tells you how. Chapter 34 discusses disk setup, including removable disks and new hard disks that you may add to your computer. Chapter 35 tells you how to keep your disk working well and how to use the facilities that Windows provides to check and repair disk problems, including defragmenting and taking out the garbage. Chapter 36 explains how to tune your computer for maximum performance, and Chapter 37 reviews the process of troubleshooting hardware and software problems. Chapter 38 describes the other Windows resources available on the Internet and elsewhere, including automatic updates, which can automatically identify and install updated or corrected Windows components .

Part VIII: Behind the Scenes: Windows Vista Internals

Part VIII covers a few advanced Windows topics. Chapter 39 describes the configuration files that Windows uses, and Chapter 40 describes the Registry, the central database of program information that is key to Windows' operation.

Appendix

The appendix describes how to install Windows Vista as an upgrade to a Windows system, or from scratch on a blank hard disk.