Updated2nd Ed.for WINDOWS VISTA IN EASY STEPS Service Pack 1 Why choose Windows Vista in easy steps? harshad kotecha Windows Vista in easy steps reveals the five different It’s written in plain English editions of Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise, Home Put off by the jargon? Don’t worry, we Premium, Home Basic and Ultimate) and includes details keep things straight forward. of Service Pack 1 (SP1). This book covers the key features including starting Windows Vista up, basic control functions, working with applications, managing files and folders, printing and fonts, Internet It’s easy to follow and networking. It explores the new Windows Vista Clear, step-by-step instructions make interface including Windows Aero, security features, grasp the new vision learning simple. Windows Mail and digital media, and explains system activation and validation, backup and Windows Update. Whether you’re a novice or upgrading from an earlier version, you’ll need Windows Vista in easy steps to It’s fully illustrated grasp the new vision. We don’t tell you how to do it, we Look inside show you how. The Desktop The Welcome Center Getting Started If you have a fresh installation (not upgraded from a previous e Welcome Center presents all the common tasks that you need version) your Windows Vista desktop should not have any icons to carry out to complete the confi guration of your new PC. It Your actual desktop except the Recycle Bin. However, you can display standard appears automatically at Startup, with 6 tasks displayed. The Welcome Center is layout depends on the icons or add your own shortcut icons for programs that you use 1 displayed in all of the Windows components frequently – see page 94. Click the link to Show all items and display the business and consumer and software you remaining tasks editions of Windows have installed, any e Welcome Center will be displayed each time you startup (see Vista. customizing that has page 23). ere’s also a Sidebar on the right for quick access to been done and whether information and to Gadgets (mini-applications). See page 182. it’s the basic or the Aero It’s in full color interface (see page 171). This book’s printed in color to make it 2 Click a task (e.g. Add new users) to see a more detailed 23 description. e activation link at the right changes simpler to use and easier on the eye. 22 appropriately (in this case to Add user accounts) At the left on the bottom, you’ll fi nd the Start button (disguised as a Windows logo). Click the Start button to select your programs and fi les, change settings, get help and support or logoff and shutdown (see page 33). e Quick Launch toolbar has tools such as Show Desktop and you can insert shortcuts. e Taskbar contains a button for each active program 3 You will still be able or open window, allowing you to Restore, Maximize, Close etc. To start a task, click the activation link for the selected If there are too many to open the Welcome task or double-click any task tasks to fi t on the Center, from Systems and Taskbar, Windows Maintenance category in And it’s fantastic value will group like items 4 the Control Panel. You can stop the Welcome Center together. Finally, there’s the Language bar and the from loading if you clear the box at the Do we need to say any more? notifi cation area with the system icons. bottom, labelled “Run at startup” Let these icons make it even easier PLAIN ENGLISH £10.99 UK / $14.99 US / $16.95 CN Wherever you see one of these icons you know there’s a handy tip to spice up your learning, flag something to remember or ward you away from potential dangers. EASY TO FOLLOW ISBN-13: 978-1-84078-366-7 ISBN-10: 1-84078-366-4 5 1 4 9 9 The simple explanations and practical uses FULLY ILLUSTRATED deserve applause. COVERS Computer Active SP1 Refers to this series IN FULL COLOR 9 7 8 1 8 4 0 7 8 3 6 6 7 “ www.ineasysteps.com” e Liked this book? nick vandom Laptops Windows Sidebar Gadgets Take advantage of a large and growing range Then you’ll love these other of mini-applications that provide information at a glance and offer quick access to great In Easy Steps titles PLAIN ENGLISH OW frequently used tools and utilities. 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This chapter explains what 9 Windows Vista Editions Windows is and what’s 11 Windows Vista PC new in this latest version. 12 Upgrade Advisor It will help you identify the 13 Feature Review edition of Vista that will 14 Report Summary suit you best, determine if 15 Detailed Results your existing computer will 16 Service Pack 1 (SP1) handle Windows Vista and 18 Using Your Mouse advise any actions needed. 19 Starting Windows Vista 20 Switching Users What is Windows? Windows is an operating system. This is the software that Windows Editions organizes and controls all the components in your computer (both hardware and software) so that they integrate and work efficiently together. All computers need an operating system to function and Windows is the most popular one as it’s installed on most of the world’s PCs (personal computers). There were also versions aimed specifically at businesses, including Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows The basic foundation underlying any version of Windows is its 2003, used mainly “windowing” capability. A window (with a lower-case w) is a on server machines, rectangular area used to display information or to run a program. rather than end user Several windows can be opened at the same time to work with computers. multiple applications, so you should be able to dramatically increase your productivity when using your PC. Microsoft has released many versions of Windows over the years, including: • Windows 95 • Windows 98 and 98 SE (second edition) • Windows ME (millennium edition) • Windows XP (eXPerience) In Windows XP, Microsoft introduced an edition designed for the consumer (Home Edition) and an edition for the business user (Professional). Windows XP Professional included all the features of Windows XP Home Edition plus enhanced networking, This book covers mobile computing, corporate management and security features. Windows Vista business and consumer products, There were also specialized releases for the Tablet PC (featuring a catering for many pressure sensitive screen that you can write on), the Media Center different types of PC (with TV tuner) and the 64-bit PC (with 64-bit rather than Windows Vista user. the normal 32-bit processor). Windows Vista The latest version of Windows is Windows Vista. This consists of six products - two editions for business, an entry edition for emerging markets and three editions for consumers. Windows Vista Editions We’ll start with the two Windows Vista business editions: Windows Vista Business This is designed for organizations of all sizes, to keep PCs All new versions (except running smoothly and more securely so they are less reliant on the Starter edition) are dedicated IT support.