● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● How to access your CD files The print edition of this book includes a CD. To access the CD files, go to http://aka.ms/626652/files, and look for the Downloads tab. Note: Use a desktop web browser, as files may not be accessible from all ereader devices. Questions? Please contact: [email protected] Microsoft Press PUBLISHED BY Microsoft Press A Division of Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington 98052-6399 Copyright © 2010 by Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Control Number: 2009932321 ISBN: 978-0-7356-2665-2 Printed and bound in the United States of America. Eighth Printing: July 2014 Distributed in Canada by H.B. Fenn and Company Ltd. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. 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To the doctors, nurses, and other dedicated health-care professionals who have done so much for our families, our friends, and ourselves. — Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson Contents at at a Glancea Glance Part 1: Getting Started Chapter 13 Sharing and Syncing Digital Media . 441 Chapter 1 What’s New in Windows 7 . 3 Chapter 14 Using Windows Media Center . 463 Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring Windows 7 . 21 Part 4: Security and Networking Chapter 3 Obtaining Help and Support . 77 Chapter 15 Security Essentials . 497 Chapter 4 Personalizing Windows 7 . 99 Chapter 16 Managing User Accounts, Passwords, Chapter 5 and Logons . 543 Adding, Removing, and Managing Programs . 157 Chapter 17 Setting Up a Small Office or Chapter 6 Home Network . 585 Using Internet Explorer 8 . 191 Chapter 18 Chapter 7 Sharing and Managing Network Adding Windows Live Programs Resources . 615 and Services . 239 Chapter 19 Part 2: File Management Fixing and Tweaking Your Network . 667 Chapter 8 Part 5: Tuning, Tweaking, and Organizing Files and Information . 267 Troubleshooting Chapter 9 Chapter 20 Using Windows Search . 307 Tuning Up and Monitoring Performance . 703 Chapter 10 Chapter 21 Advanced File Management . 337 Performing Routine Maintenance . 739 Chapter 11 Chapter 22 Backup, Restore, and Recovery . 375 Using Advanced System Management Tools . 763 Part 3: Digital Media Chapter 23 Chapter 12 Troubleshooting Windows Errors Playing and Organizing Digital and Crashes . 811 Media Files . 407 v vi Contents at a Glance Part 6: Windows and Your PC Appendixes Chapter 24 Appendix A Setting Up and Configuring Hardware . 855 Windows 7 Editions at a Glance . 947 Chapter 25 Appendix B Managing Disks and Drives . 895 Working with the Command Prompt . 955 Chapter 26 Using Pen, Touch, and Voice Input . 923 Table of Contents Foreword . xxi Acknowledgments . xxiii Conventions and Features Used in This Book . .xxv Text Conventions . .xxv Design Conventions . .xxv About the CD . .xxvii What’s on the CD . .xxvii System Requirements . .xxvii Support Information . xxviii 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 . 7 Organizing and Finding Files . 10 Saving, Sharing, and Playing Digital Media . 12 Networking in New Ways . 15 Keeping Your PC Speedy and Safe . 17 Using Internet Explorer 8 . 19 Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring Windows 7 . 21 Before You Start . 21 Know Your Hardware . 23 Avoiding Software Compatibility Problems . 24 Backing Up Data and Settings . 25 Setting Up Windows 7 . 25 Performing a Clean Installation . 27 Setup and Your Hard Disk . 36 Upgrading a Previous Windows Version . 40 Creating and Configuring a Multiboot System . 43 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 Upgrading from Another Windows 7 Edition . 50 Installing and Updating Drivers . 52 Activating and Validating Windows 7 . 53 Entering a Product Key . 54 Activating a Retail Copy of Windows . 55 Activation Requirements for OEM Installations . 58 Product Activation and Corporate Licensing . 59 Dealing with Product Validation . 59 Transferring Files and Settings from Another Computer . 60 Making a Connection . 62 Choosing What to Transfer . 64 Restoring Files and Settings on Your New Computer . 67 Tweaking and Tuning Your Windows Installation . 69 Adjust Basic Display Settings . 69 Update the Windows Experience Index . 70 Check Your System’s Security . 71 Test Network and Internet Connections . 72 Adjust Windows Features . 72 Choose Default Programs . 74 Personalize Power and Sleep Settings . 75 Fine-Tune System Protection Options . 75 Create Additional User Accounts . 76 Set Up a Regular Backup Schedule . 76 Chapter 3 Obtaining Help and Support . 77 Using Windows Help And Support . 78 Ensuring Access to Online Help Topics . 79 Browsing Through Windows Help And Support . 81 Searching for Help Topics . 81 Connecting to Another PC with Windows Remote Assistance . 82 How Remote Assistance Works . 83 Asking for Assistance . 87 Offering Remote Assistance via DCOM . 92 Working in a Remote Assistance Session . 93 Using Remote Assistance with Earlier Windows Versions . 96 Maintaining Security . 96 Improving Remote Assistance Performance . 97 Chapter 4 Personalizing Windows 7 . 99 Working with the New Taskbar and Start Menu . 100 Opening and Monitoring Programs from Taskbar Buttons . 100 Opening Programs from the Start Menu . 105 Using Jump Lists on the Taskbar and Start Menu . 107 Personalizing the Taskbar and Start Menu . 109 Changing the Taskbar’s Appearance and Behavior . 109 Controlling How Notifications Appear . 114 Personalizing the Start Menu . 116 Table of Contents x i Mastering Window Management with Windows 7 Tricks . 121 Resizing and Moving Windows . 121 Viewing the Desktop and Gadgets . 124 Switching Between Windows . 125 Personalizing Theme Elements: Visuals and Sounds . 125 Customizing the Desktop Background . 127 Selecting Colors and Modifying Color Schemes . 130 Selecting Sounds for Events . 133 Choosing a Screen Saver . 134 Customizing Mouse Pointers . 135 Configuring Desktop Icons . 137 Saving, Sharing, and Finding Theme Settings . 139 Configuring Your Display . 140 Configuring Screen Resolution . 140 Configuring a Multimonitor Display . 141 Making Text Easier to Read . ..