Introduction xiii
Let's get started . xiii
Who this book is for . xiv
What this book is about . xiv
Acknowledgments . xiv
Conventions and features in this book . xv
Downloading and using the practice files . xvi
Getting support and giving feedback . xviii
Errata . . xviii
We want to hear from you . xix
Stay in touch . xix
1
Introducing Windows 8.1 3
Getting started with Windows 8.1 . 4
Setting up Windows 8.1 . 5
Identifying your edition of Windows 8.1 . 7
Minimum system requirements . 9
Windows RT . 10
Using the lock screen . 12
Exploring the Start screen . 12
Moving around on the Start screen . 15
Moving tiles on the Start screen . 17
Customizing the Start screen with Live tiles . 18
Using charms . 20
Searching for data, apps, files, and settings . 24
Access the traditional desktop . 27
Using the taskbar and Start button . 29
Working with multiple windows and apps . 35
Customizing File Explorer . 42
Dynamic ribbon elements . 43
Changing the width of the ribbon . 44
iv Contents
Exploring PC Settings and Control Panel . 45
Ending a computing session . 50
Key points . 53
2
Personalize your Windows 8.1 device 55
Personalizing the Start screen . 55
Personalizing the lock screen . 63
Changing your user account type . 66
Customizing your user account settings . 69
Personalizing the desktop . 71
Changing how the taskbar looks . 73
Booting directly to the desktop or Apps view . 77
Accessing and exploring advanced settings . 78
Switching to a different power plan . 80
Key points . 83
3
Using apps on the Start screen 85
Using the Photos app . 86
Viewing and managing picture files and folders . 89
Importing photos by using the Photos app . 93
Editing photos by using the Photos app . 95
Using the Music app . 97
Using the Video app . . 102
Using the Maps app . 105
Exploring the other apps . 109
Managing apps for the long term . 114
Exploring accessories and tools . 116
Key points . 119
4
Organizing files and folders 121
Understanding the Windows 8.1 file system . 122
Explaining the most common file types . 129
Contents v
Acquiring and saving files effectively . 133
Copy photos from an external drive . 136
Navigating the File Explorer ribbon interface . 138
Organizing files and folders . 142
Renaming files . 145
Sharing files by using the Share tab . 147
Customizing File Explorer by using the View tab . 148
Searching in File Explorer . . 152
Working with deleted files and the Recycle Bin . 153
Key points . 155
5
Using Internet Explorer 11 157
What is new about Internet Explorer 11 . 158
Starting Internet Explorer 11 . 161
Using the Internet Explorer app . 162
Using the Internet Explorer desktop app . 169
Adding favorites in Internet Explorer . 172
Pinning websites to the Start screen . 173
Browsing the web by using the InPrivate mode . 176
Downloading files from the Internet and managing them . 178
Setting the default Internet Explorer version . 181
Key points . 185
6
Using SkyDrive 187
Using SkyDrive . 188
Browsing SkyDrive from the SkyDrive app . 189
Uploading a file by using the SkyDrive app . 192
Downloading a file by using the SkyDrive app . 195
Accessing SkyDrive from a web browser . 197
Accessing SkyDrive from File Explorer . 199
Sharing a SkyDrive folder . 200
Accessing SkyDrive’s settings . 203
Synchronizing your Windows settings . 204
Key points . 207
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7
Using the social apps 209
Using the Mail app . 210
Adding a Microsoft email account to the Mail app . 214
Using the People app . 220
Connecting to your Facebook account by using the People app . 225
Adding a new contact to the People app . 230
Using the Calendar app . 233
Adding an event to your Calendar . 235
Using the Camera app to take pictures or record videos . 240
Using the Skype app . . 244
Key points . 247
8
Shopping in the Windows Store 249
Exploring the landing page and categories . 250
Searching the Windows Store . 253
Exploring an App’s listing page . 255
Obtaining and installing an app . 256
Using apps . 258
Updating apps . . 259
Reacquiring apps . 260
Write a review . 261
Understanding subscriptions and in-app purchases . 263
Key points . 263
9
Having fun with multimedia 265
Exploring the Windows Media Player interface . 266
Ripping your CD collection . 272
Creating and burning playlists . 274
Sharing media across a network . 277
Obtaining Windows Media Center . 279
Exploring Windows Media Center features . 281
Key points . 283
Contents vii
10
Playing games 285
How to find games in the Windows Store . 286
What’s required for playing games . 289
Using the Games app . 291
Connecting Windows 8.1 to your Xbox . 294
Key points . 301
11
Connecting to a network and the Internet 303
Understanding the jargon: router, ISP, network adapter, and other terminology . 304
Using the Networking And Sharing Center . 305
Connecting to a wireless network . 308
Connecting to a hidden wireless network . 315
Compatibility with older routers and networking equipment . 320
Connecting to the Internet through a mobile modem . 321
Managing network connections using PC Settings . 323
Changing the network profile of a network . 328
Key points . 331
12
Allowing others to use the computer 333
What is a user account and how many do I need? . 334
Introducing the Microsoft account . 336
Accessing the user accounts settings . 337
Adding a new user account . 341
Adding a local user account . 344
Switching between user accounts . 348
Changing the password for your user account . 350
Creating a picture password for your user account . 353
Creating a PIN for your user account . . 359
Changing a user account picture . 362
Changing a user account name . 364
Changing a user account type . 367
Deleting a user account . 369
Key points . 373
viii Contents
13
Sharing files and folders with my network 375
Turning on the Sharing Wizard . 376
Understanding the default network sharing settings . . 378
Setting up a homegroup . 383
Joining a homegroup . 387
Finding your homegroup password . 388
Changing the password of a homegroup . 389
Accessing homegroup computers and devices . 392
Leaving a homegroup . 393
Using the Sharing Wizard to share with the homegroup . 395
Using the Sharing Wizard to share with specific people . 397
Sharing a printer with computers on your network . 402
Sharing a printer with your homegroup . 406
Key points . 409
14
Keeping Windows 8.1 safe and secure 411
Understanding the UAC . . 412
Changing the UAC level . 415
Using the Windows Firewall . 418
Turning Windows Firewall off or on . 422
Customizing the list of allowed apps . . 424
Adding new apps to the allowed list . 426
Removing apps from the allowed list . 429
Restoring the Windows Firewall default settings . 431
Using Windows Defender . 432
Removing quarantined files . 436
Improving your password habits . 440
Reasons to consider commercial security solutions . 441
Key points . 443
Contents ix
15
Preventing problems 445
Keeping your system up to date by using Windows Update . 446
Checking for and installing available updates . 448
Using File History in Windows 8.1 . 450
Turning File History on or off . 455
Restoring files by using File History . 456
Using System Restore . . 459
Starting System Restore . 460
Restoring to a previous state by using System Restore . 463
Using the Action Center . . 467
Configuring the messages Action Center shows . 471
Key points . 473
16
Supervising a child’s computer use 475
Turning on Family Safety for your child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .476
Setting time limits and app restrictions . 478
Setting restrictions for games and Windows Store apps . 486
Setting restrictions for websites and downloads . . 489
Understanding the messages shown by Family Safety . 493
Managing Family Safety settings and viewing activity reports . 494
Key points . 497
17
Making my computer accessible 499
Locating the Ease of Access options . 500
Letting Windows suggest Ease of Access settings . 502
Using the Magnifier . 504
Using Narrator . 507
Using the On-Screen Keyboard . 509
Set up and use Windows Speech Recognition . 513
Log on to Windows 8.1 without a password . 516
Key points . 517
x Contents
18
Using Windows 8.1 at work 519
Using the Windows Mobility Center . 520
Turning on Presentation mode . 522
Using BitLocker to encrypt drives . . 525
Encrypting the operating system drive by using BitLocker . 528
Encrypting removable storage devices by using BitLocker . 534
Accessing an encrypted removable storage device . 538
Decrypting a BitLocker-protected drive . 539
Setting up a VPN connection . 540
Other enterprise-friendly features . 545
Key points . 547
19
Using touch-compatible devices 549
Setting up touch hardware . 550
Learning general touch gestures . 552
Using multitouch gestures . 555
Changing touch-input settings . 555
Access touch settings from PC Settings . 559
Key points . 560
20
Tips for improving your computing experience 563
Adding Shut Down, Restart, Sign Out, and other shortcuts to the Start screen . 564
Adding a Control Panel shortcut to the Start screen . 566
Naming groups of shortcuts on the Start screen . 567
Booting to the desktop in Windows 8.1 . 569
Transforming the Start screen into a full screen Start menu . 570
Using the WinX system menu . 572
Running a desktop app as Administrator . 574
Printing documents from Windows Store apps . 576
Turning off notifications for Windows Store apps . . 580
Adding or removing Windows features . 583
Six ways to start the Task Manager . 587
Contents xi
Optimizing startup items by using the Task Manager . 589
Adding clocks and time zones to the Windows taskbar . 592
Changing the location of the Downloads folder and other user folders . 595
Burning a disc with File Explorer . 598
Freeing up disk space by using Disk Cleanup . . 601
Changing the defaults for apps, file extensions, and AutoPlay dialog boxes . 604
Logging on to Windows automatically, without entering your password each time . 609
Using shortened URLs when you want to share files from SkyDrive . 611
Changing the default SkyDrive folder . 614
Key points . 617
21
Troubleshooting problems 619
Apply common solutions . 620
Resolve display problems . . 624
Letting Windows fix problems for you . 628
Using the Microsoft Fix It Solution Center . 630
Getting help and support . 632
Asking for Remote Assistance . 634
Exploring advanced troubleshooting tools . . 639
Refreshing your PC . 646
Resetting your PC . 648
Key points . 649
A
Using keyboard shortcuts and touch gestures 651
Learning keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8.1 . 651
Exploring touch keyboard shortcuts . 656
Using touch gestures in Windows 8.1 . 659
Key points . 665
xii Contents
B
Enhancements for using multiple displays 667
Using Windows 8.1 with a dual-monitor setup . 667
Key points . 669
C
Installing and upgrading to Windows 8.1 671
Installing Windows 8.1 . 671
Dual-booting Windows 8.1 and other Windows versions . 690
Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from earlier versions of Windows . 690
Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 by using the Windows Store . 710
Key points . 725
D
Moving your data and settings to Windows 8.1 727
Transferring your data to Windows 8.1 by using Windows Easy Transfer . 728
Key points . 733
Glossary 735
