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Windows XP: Visual QuickStart Guide, 2nd Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Windows Does
The Editions of Windows XP
What's New in Windows XP
Upgrading to Windows XP
Switching from a Mac
About This Book

1. Getting Started with Windows XP

Logging On and Logging Off
Exploring the Windows Interface
The Mouse
The Keyboard
Menus
Toolbars
Icons
Windows
Dialog Boxes
Properties
Transferring Data

2. The Start Menu and Taskbar

Exploring the Start Menu
Using the Start Menu
Customizing the Start Menu
Exploring the Taskbar
Managing Windows by Using the Taskbar
Configuring the Taskbar
Using the Notification Area
Adding Toolbars to the Taskbar
Managing Shortcuts
Tidying Your Desktop

3. Getting Help

Starting Help and Support Center
Navigating in Help Center
Searching for Help Topics
Customizing Help Center
Using the Help Index
Getting Help in Dialog Boxes
Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer Remotely
Getting Help from Microsoft

4. Personalizing Your Work Environment

Using Control Panel
Changing Your Desktop Background
Displaying Web Content on Your Desktop
Choosing a Desktop Theme
Setting a Screen Saver
Configuring the Monitor
Configuring the Mouse
Configuring the Keyboard
Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
Changing the Date and Time
Localizing Your System
Accommodating Disabled Users
Configuring Speech Recognition and Translation
Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
Conserving Power
Managing Fonts
Managing Visual Effects and Performance
Restoring the Old Windows Look
Getting General System Information

5. Organizing Files and Folders

Exploring Your Computer
Displaying Links to Common Tasks
Displaying Summary Information
Using Windows Explorer Toolbars
Viewing Files and Folders in Different Ways
Changing the File Details Displayed
Sorting Icons
Grouping Icons
Customizing a Folder
Setting Folder Options
Creating Folders
Naming Files and Folders
Moving and Copying Files and Folders
Sending Files and Folders
Deleting Files and Folders
Compressing Files and Folders
Searching for Files and Folders
Copying Files and Folders to CDs
Making Network Files and Folders Available Offline
Encrypting Files and Folders
Using Keyboard Shortcuts

6. Installing and Running Programs

Installing Programs
Removing Programs
Adding and Removing Windows Components
Launching Programs
Launching Programs Automatically
Running Older Programs
Switching Programs
Exiting Programs
Killing Unresponsive Programs
Reporting Errors to Microsoft
Using the Free Utility Programs
Saving Documents
Opening Documents
Associating Documents with Programs

7. Printing and Faxing

Installing a Printer
Sharing a Network Printer
Setting Printer Properties
Printing Documents
Controlling Printouts
Faxing

8. Setting up Hardware

Installing Plug and Play Devices
Connecting Devices to Your Computer
Installing a New Device
Installing Non-Plug and Play Hardware
Managing Device Drivers
Using Hardware Profiles

9. Cameras and Scanners

Transferring Photos to Your Computer
Viewing and Managing Photos
Printing Photos
Ordering Prints Online
Emailing Photos
Publishing Photos on the Web
Using Scanners

10. Windows Media Player

Getting Started with Media Player
Playing Music CDs
Customizing the Now Playing Area
Viewing Visualizations
Changing Player Appearance with Skins
Shopping Online
Listening to Radio Stations
Ripping CDs to Your Hard Drive
Organizing Your Library
Working with Playlists
Burning Music CDs
Playing DVDs
Using Keyboard Shortcuts

11. Windows Movie Maker

Getting Started with Movie Maker
Capturing and Importing Content
Organizing Your Clips
Creating a Project
Editing a Project
Editing Clips
Adding Visual Content
Adding Audio Tracks
Saving a Movie

12. Connecting to the Internet

Understanding Connection Types
Creating a New Internet Account
Setting up an Existing Internet Account
Securing Your Computer

13. Browsing the Web with Internet Explorer

Getting Started with Internet Explorer
Navigating the Web
Searching the Web
Bookmarking Pages
Blocking Pop-Up Windows
Browsing Tips

14. Outlook Express-Email and News

Getting Started with Outlook Express
Setting up an Email Account
Sending Email
Reading Email
Receiving Attachments
Applying Message Rules
Configuring Outlook Express
Using Newsgroups

15. Chatting Online with Windows Messenger

Getting a .NET Passport
Signing in to Messenger
Creating a Contact List
Chatting Online
Chatting Tips

16. Managing User Accounts

Setting up User Accounts
Controlling the Logon Process
Logging on to a Domain
Managing User Profiles

17. Setting up a Small Network

Understanding Network Types
Sharing an Internet Connection
Running the Network Setup Wizard
Joining a Domain
Navigating the Network
Sharing Files

18. Working Remotely

Dialing Direct
Connecting to a Virtual Private Network Server
Controlling a Computer with Remote Desktop

19. Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Updating Windows XP
Getting System Information
Managing Tasks
Restoring Your System
Cleaning up a Disk
Defragmenting a Disk
Checking for Disk Errors
Managing Disks
Backing up Your Files
Scheduling Tasks
Recovering After a Crash
Editing the Registry

Appendix A. Installing Windows XP

Getting Ready to Install Windows XP
Upgrading to Windows XP
Performing a Clean Install or a Dual-Boot Install
Using the Setup Wizard
Activating Windows XP
Transferring Existing Files and Settings
Uninstalling Windows XP

Index