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Wright Cover: Twist Creative • Seattle [2012-10-26] In memory of Jean Varven Stinson 1952 – 2010 Contents at a Glance Part 1: Getting Started Part 3: Digital Media Chapter 1 Chapter 13 What’s New in Windows 7 . 3 Playing and Organizing Digital Chapter 2 Media Files . 475 Installing and Configuring Windows 7 . 23 Chapter 14 Chapter 3 Sharing and Syncing Digital Media . 511 Obtaining Help and Support . 85 Chapter 15 Chapter 4 Using Windows Media Center . 537 Personalizing Windows 7 . 111 Chapter 16 Chapter 5 Digital Media for Enthusiasts . 569 Adding, Removing, and Managing Programs . 171 Part 4: Security and Networking Chapter 6 Chapter 17 Using Internet Explorer . 209 Security Essentials . 593 Chapter 7 Chapter 18 Internet Explorer Compatibility, Security, Managing User Accounts, Passwords, and Privacy . 247 and Logons . 641 Chapter 8 Chapter 19 Adding Windows Live Programs Setting Up a Small Office or and Services . 279 Home Network . 683 Chapter 20 Part 2: File Management Sharing and Managing Network Chapter 9 Resources . 719 Organizing Files and Information . 325 Chapter 21 Chapter 10 Advanced Windows Networking . 755 Using Windows Search . 367 Chapter 22 Chapter 11 Fixing and Tweaking Your Network . 795 Advanced File Management . 397 Chapter 12 Backup, Restore, and Recovery . 435 v vi Contents at a Glance Part 5: Tuning, Tweaking, Part 6: Windows 7 and PC Hardware and Troubleshooting Chapter 29 Chapter 23 Setting Up and Configuring Hardware . 1055 Tuning Up and Monitoring Chapter 30 Performance . 833 Managing Disks and Drives . 1099 Chapter 24 Chapter 31 Performing Routine Maintenance . 871 Using Pen, Touch, and Voice Input . 1133 Chapter 25 Using Advanced System Management Appendixes Tools . 899 Appendix A Chapter 26 Windows 7 Editions at a Glance . 1157 Deployment and Migration . 949 Appendix B Chapter 27 Working with the Command Prompt . 1165 Automating Windows 7 . 965 Appendix C Chapter 28 Fixes Included in Windows 7 Troubleshooting Windows Errors Service Pack 1 . 1185 and Crashes . 1007 Appendix D Windows 7 Certifications . 1235 Appendix E Some Useful Accessory Programs . 1243 Table of Contents Foreword to Windows 7 Inside Out . xxiii Foreword . .xxv Introduction . xxvii Who This Book Is For . .xxvii Features and Conventions Used In This Book . xxix About the CD . xxx Acknowledgments . xxxiii Support and Feedback . xxxiv Part 1: Getting Started Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows 7 . 3 Introducing the Windows 7 Family . .5 Adjusting to the Windows 7 Interface . 8 Organizing and Finding Files . 11 Saving, Sharing, and Playing Digital Media . 13 Networking in New Ways . 16 Keeping Your PC Speedy and Safe . 18 Using Internet Explorer 9 . 20 Updating to Service Pack 1 . 22 Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Windows 7 . 23 Before You Start . 24 Understand the Licensing Issues . 25 Know Your Hardware . 27 Avoiding Software Compatibility Problems . 29 Backing Up Data and Settings . 29 Setting Up Windows 7 . 30 Performing a Clean Installation . 32 Setup and Your Hard Disk . 42 Upgrading a Previous Windows Version . 46 What do you think of this book? We want to hear from you! Microsoft is interested in hearing your feedback so we can continually improve our books and learning resources for you. To participate in a brief online survey, please visit: www.microsoft.com/learning/booksurvey/ vii viii Table of Contents Creating and Configuring a Multiboot System . 49 Upgrading from Another Windows 7 Edition . 56 Installing and Updating Drivers . 57 Activating and Validating Windows 7 . 59 Entering a Product Key . 60 Activating a Retail Copy of Windows . 61 Activation Requirements for OEM Installations . 64 Product Activation and Corporate Licensing . 65 Dealing with Product Validation . 65 Transferring Files and Settings from Another Computer . 66 Making a Connection . 67 Choosing What to Transfer . 70 Restoring Files and Settings on Your New Computer . 73 Tweaking and Tuning Your Windows Installation . 75 Adjust Basic Display Settings . 75 Update the Windows Experience Index . 76 Check Your System’s Security . 77 Test Network and Internet Connections . 78 Adjust Windows Features . 78 Choose Default Programs . 80 Personalize Power and Sleep Settings . 81 Fine-Tune System Protection Options . 82 Create Additional User Accounts . 83 Set Up a Regular Backup Schedule . 83 Chapter 3: Obtaining Help and Support . 85 Using Windows Help And Support . 86 Ensuring Access to Online Help Topics . 87 Browsing Through Windows Help And Support . 89 Searching for Help Topics . 89 Connecting to Another PC with Windows Remote Assistance . 90 How Remote Assistance Works . 91 Asking for Assistance . 94 Offering Remote Assistance via DCOM . 100 Working in a Remote Assistance Session . 101 Using Remote Assistance with Earlier Windows Versions . 104 Maintaining Security . 104 Improving Remote Assistance Performance . 106 Help and Support Resources for IT Professionals . 106 Chapter 4: Personalizing Windows 7 . 111 Working with the New Taskbar and Start Menu . 112 Opening and Monitoring Programs from Taskbar Buttons . 112 Opening Programs from the Start Menu . 117 Using Jump Lists on the Taskbar and Start Menu . 119 Personalizing the Taskbar and Start Menu . 121 Changing the Taskbar’s Appearance and Behavior . 121 Controlling How Notifications Appear . 126 Table of Contents ix Personalizing the Start Menu . 128 Mastering Window Management with Windows 7 Tricks . 134 Resizing and Moving Windows . 134 Viewing the Desktop and Gadgets . 136 Switching Between Windows . 137 Personalizing Theme Elements: Visuals and Sounds . 138 Customizing the Desktop Background . 140 Selecting Colors and Modifying Color Schemes . 143 Selecting Sounds for Events . 146 Choosing a Screen Saver . 147 Customizing Mouse Pointers . 148 Configuring Desktop Icons . 150 Saving, Sharing, and Finding Theme Settings . 152 Configuring Your Display . 154 Configuring Screen Resolution . ..