8. About the Author
Alan Simpson is an award-winning computer book author with some 120 published books to his credit.
His books are published in many languages throughout the world and have sold millions of copies. Alan is
best known for his light, conversational writing style and clear jargon-free approach to dealing with techni-
cal topics. Prior to writing books full time, Alan taught introductory and advanced computer programming
courses at San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego Extension. He also worked as
a freelance programmer and computer consultant. He maintains the www.coolnerds.com Web site (when
time permits) and can be reached via that Web site.
9. Credits
Acquisitions Editor
Katie Mohr
Development Editor
Kelly Dobbs Henthorne
Technical Editors
Dan DiNicolo
Todd Meister
Production Editor
Angela Smith
Copy Editor
Kim Cofer
Editorial Manager
Mary Beth Wakefield
Production Manager
Tim Tate
Vice President and Executive
Group Publisher
Richard Swadley
Vice President and Executive Publisher
Joseph B. Wikert
Project Coordinator
Kristie Rees
Graphics and Production Specialists
Carrie Foster
Jennifer Mayberry
Alicia B. South
Ronald Terry
Quality Control Technicians
John Greenough
Brian H. Walls
Book Designer
Elizabeth Brooks
Proofreading
Laura L. Bowman
Indexing
Techbooks
Anniversary Logo Design
Richard Pacifico
To Susan, Ashley, and Alec, as always.
10. Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................xli
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................xliii
Part I: Getting Started, Getting Secure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows Vista................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Getting Around ....................................................................................................................19
Chapter 3: Sharing and Securing with User Accounts............................................................................53
Chapter 4: Parental Controls and Family Safety ....................................................................................77
Chapter 5: Help, Support, and Troubleshooting ....................................................................................87
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Startup Problems........................................................................................97
Part II: Batten Down the Security Hatches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Chapter 7: Blocking Hackers with Windows Firewall ..........................................................................103
Chapter 8: Conquering Malicious Software..........................................................................................119
Chapter 9: Automatic Updates as Security ..........................................................................................137
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Security..................................................................................................145
Part III: Personalizing Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Chapter 11: Personalizing Your Work Environment ............................................................................151
Chapter 12: Ease of Access, Speech, and Language..............................................................................207
Chapter 13: Transferring Files from Another Computer ......................................................................247
Chapter 14: Customizing Startup Options ..........................................................................................257
Chapter 15: Using Vista Programs and Accessories..............................................................................271
Chapter 16: Troubleshooting Customization Problems ........................................................................307
Part IV: Power Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Chapter 17: Browsing and Blogging with Internet Explorer ................................................................317
Chapter 18: Doing E-Mail with Windows Mail ....................................................................................363
Chapter 19: Beyond E-Mail and the Web ............................................................................................439
Chapter 20: Managing Names and Addresses ......................................................................................461
Chapter 21: Troubleshooting Internet Problems ..................................................................................473
Part V: Pictures, Music, and Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
Chapter 22: Playing with Pictures........................................................................................................483
Chapter 23: Making Music with Media Player 11 ................................................................................525
Chapter 24: DVD, Video, and More ....................................................................................................573
Chapter 25: Making Movies with Movie Maker ..................................................................................591
Chapter 26: Fun with Media Center ....................................................................................................629
Chapter 27: Troubleshooting Multimedia ............................................................................................647
vii
11. Part VI: Managing Files and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 653
Chapter 28: Understanding Drives, Folders, and Files ........................................................................655
Chapter 29: Managing Files and Folders..............................................................................................707
Chapter 30: Searching for Files and Messages......................................................................................733
Chapter 31: Metadata and Power Searches ..........................................................................................751
Chapter 32: Using CDs and DVDs ......................................................................................................775
Chapter 33: Protecting Your Files ........................................................................................................803
Chapter 34: Troubleshooting Files and Folders....................................................................................821
Part VII: Printing, Faxing, and Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827
Chapter 35: Installing and Managing Printers......................................................................................829
Chapter 36: Printing Documents and Screenshots ..............................................................................837
Chapter 37: Managing Print Jobs ........................................................................................................845
Chapter 38: Faxing and Scanning........................................................................................................853
Chapter 39: Troubleshooting Printing and Faxing ..............................................................................869
Part VIII: Installing and Removing Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
Chapter 40: Downloading Programs....................................................................................................877
Chapter 41: Installing and Upgrading Programs ..................................................................................885
Chapter 42: Getting Older Programs to Run........................................................................................895
Chapter 43: Repairing and Removing Programs ..................................................................................905
Chapter 44: Setting Default Programs..................................................................................................911
Chapter 45: Managing Programs and Processes ..................................................................................923
Chapter 46: Troubleshooting Software Problems ................................................................................935
Part IX: Hardware and Performance Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 947
Chapter 47: Installing and Removing Hardware ..................................................................................949
Chapter 48: Using Wireless Bluetooth Devices ....................................................................................971
Chapter 49: Syncing Devices ..............................................................................................................983
Chapter 50: Performance Tuning Your System ....................................................................................995
Chapter 51: Troubleshooting Hardware and Performance..................................................................1023
Part X: Networking and Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1031
Chapter 52: Creating a Home Network..............................................................................................1033
Chapter 53: Sharing Resources on a Network....................................................................................1053
Chapter 54: Using Shared Resources ................................................................................................1067
Chapter 55: Using Windows Meeting Space ......................................................................................1081
Chapter 56: Troubleshooting Networks ............................................................................................1089
Part XI: Appendixes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095
Appendix A: Upgrading to Windows Vista ........................................................................................1097
Appendix B: Installing Vista on a New System ..................................................................................1105
Appendix C: Universal Shortcut Keys................................................................................................1109
Index ................................................................................................................................................1119
viii
12. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xli
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xliii
Part I: Getting Started, Getting Secure 1
Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A New Look and Feel....................................................................................................................3
Flip 3D ..............................................................................................................................4
Why don’t I have Aero Glass?..............................................................................................5
What if I don’t like Aero Glass? ..........................................................................................6
Windows Sidebar ..........................................................................................................................6
Quicker, Easier Navigation ............................................................................................................7
Sizing icons ........................................................................................................................8
Sorting, grouping, and stacking ..........................................................................................8
Previous versions and undelete ..........................................................................................8
Search and Virtual Folders ..........................................................................................................10
Search for tags (keywords) ................................................................................................11
Saved searches (virtual folders) ........................................................................................12
Security ......................................................................................................................................13
User Account Control ......................................................................................................13
Parental controls ..............................................................................................................14
Windows Photo Gallery ..............................................................................................................14
Windows Mail and Internet Explorer ..........................................................................................15
Built-in CD and DVD Burning ....................................................................................................16
Speech Recognition ....................................................................................................................16
Better, Easier Backups..................................................................................................................16
Windows ReadyBoost..................................................................................................................16
Wrap Up ....................................................................................................................................17
Chapter 2: Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Terminology for Things You Do ..................................................................................................19
Mouse terminology ..........................................................................................................20
Point ......................................................................................................................20
Click ......................................................................................................................20
Double-click ..........................................................................................................21
Right-click..............................................................................................................21
Drag ......................................................................................................................21
Keyboard terminology ......................................................................................................21
Tab, Enter, and Spacebar ........................................................................................21
If in doubt, Escape key out ....................................................................................21
ix
13. The Help key (F1) ..................................................................................................21
The ˇ Key ............................................................................................................21
Shift, Ctrl, and Alt ..................................................................................................22
Shortcut keys..........................................................................................................22
Logging In ..................................................................................................................................22
What’s on the Desktop ................................................................................................................23
Using the Start Menu ..................................................................................................................25
The right side of the Start menu........................................................................................27
The Start menu Search box ..............................................................................................27
Shut Down and Lock buttons ..........................................................................................28
Using the Windows Desktop ......................................................................................................30
About desktop icons ........................................................................................................30
Arranging desktop icons ..................................................................................................31
Running Programs ......................................................................................................................32
The active window............................................................................................................34
Switching among open programs......................................................................................34
Switching with taskbar buttons ..............................................................................34
Switching with the keyboard ..................................................................................35
Switching with Flip 3D ..........................................................................................35
Switching among multiple instances ......................................................................36
Arranging program windows ............................................................................................37
Sizing program windows ..................................................................................................38
Maximize a program window..................................................................................39
Minimize a program window..................................................................................39
Size at will ..............................................................................................................40
Moving a program window ..............................................................................................41
Moving and sizing from the keyboard ..............................................................................42
Closing a Program ......................................................................................................................42
Using the Quick Launch Toolbar ................................................................................................43
Using the Notification Area ........................................................................................................44
Showing/hiding notification icons ....................................................................................45
Responding to notification messages ................................................................................46
Using scroll bars................................................................................................................47
Using Back and Forward buttons ......................................................................................48
The Welcome Center ..................................................................................................................48
Quick Help for Getting Started....................................................................................................49
Logging Off, Shutting Down........................................................................................................50
Stuff You Can Do with a Computer ............................................................................................51
Wrap Up ....................................................................................................................................51
Chapter 3: Sharing and Securing with User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Logging In and Out of User Accounts..........................................................................................53
Where am I now?..............................................................................................................54
Logging out of an account ................................................................................................54
Creating Strong Passwords ..........................................................................................................56
Remembering passwords ..................................................................................................56
Devising a password hint ..................................................................................................57
Types of User Accounts................................................................................................................57
The built-in Administrator account ..................................................................................57
Administrative user accounts ............................................................................................58
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Contents
14. Standard accounts ............................................................................................................58
Guest account ..................................................................................................................58
Creating and Managing User Accounts........................................................................................58
Creating a user account ....................................................................................................60
Changing user accounts ....................................................................................................61
Changing a user account type ..........................................................................................61
Password-protecting an account........................................................................................62
Changing the account picture ..........................................................................................63
Changing the account name..............................................................................................64
Enabling or disabling the Guest account ..........................................................................65
Navigating through user account pages ............................................................................65
Creating a Password Reset Disk ..................................................................................................65
Using the password reset disk ..........................................................................................66
Cracking into standard user accounts................................................................................67
Deleting User Accounts ..............................................................................................................67
Using User Accounts ..................................................................................................................68
Understanding User Account Control (UAC) ....................................................................69
Privilege escalation in administrative accounts ..................................................................70
Turning UAC on and off....................................................................................................71
Running Programs as Administrator............................................................................................73
Add the Built-in Administrator Account to the Login Screen ......................................................74
Stop Entering Password on Lockout............................................................................................74
Advanced Security Tools..............................................................................................................74
About Windows CardSpace ........................................................................................................75
Wrap Up ....................................................................................................................................76
Chapter 4: Parental Controls and Family Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Before You Get Started ................................................................................................................77
Getting to the Parental Controls Page ..........................................................................................77
Defining Web restrictions..................................................................................................78
Setting time limits ............................................................................................................81
Controlling game play ......................................................................................................82
Blocking and allowing programs ......................................................................................83
Get Web sites working ......................................................................................................83
Viewing User Activity Reports ....................................................................................................84
Reviewing system activity..................................................................................................84
Family Safety Resources for Parents ............................................................................................85
Wrap Up ....................................................................................................................................85
Chapter 5: Help, Support, and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Introducing Help and Support ....................................................................................................87
Navigating Help................................................................................................................89
Using the Search box ........................................................................................................90
Online Help and Offline Help ..........................................................................................90
Help from People ........................................................................................................................91
Remote Assistance ............................................................................................................92
Windows Communities ....................................................................................................92
Microsoft Customer Support ............................................................................................94
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................94
Wrap Up ....................................................................................................................................94
xi
Contents
15. Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Startup Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
The Computer Won’t Start ..........................................................................................................97
Non System Disk or Disk Error ........................................................................................97
Computer starts but mouse and keyboard don’t work ......................................................98
Computer keeps trying to start, but never gets there ........................................................98
Screen turns blue during startup, then stops ....................................................................98
Computer Takes Too Long to Start ..............................................................................................98
Restore system files to an earlier time................................................................................99
Repair Install Windows Vista ............................................................................................99
The instruction manual that came with your computer ....................................................99
Resources in this book ......................................................................................................99
Resources in Windows Help............................................................................................100
Online resources ............................................................................................................100
Programs Won’t Start ................................................................................................................100
Part II: Batten Down the Security Hatches 101
Chapter 7: Blocking Hackers with Windows Firewall . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
How Firewalls Work..................................................................................................................103
What a firewall doesn’t protect against ............................................................................104
Introducing Security Center ......................................................................................................105
Turning Windows Firewall on or off................................................................................105
Making Exceptions to Firewall Protection..................................................................................107
Manually configuring firewall exceptions ........................................................................107
Adding a program exception ..........................................................................................108
Choosing a scope............................................................................................................110
Disabling, changing, and deleting exceptions..................................................................111
Advanced firewall settings ..............................................................................................111
Advanced Firewall Configuration ..............................................................................................112
Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security icon..............................................112
Changing Firewall Profile Properties ..............................................................................113
Firewall alerts, unicast response, local administrator control ................................113
Security Logging ..................................................................................................114
Customizing IPsec settings....................................................................................115
Inbound and Outbound Rules ........................................................................................116
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................116
Chapter 8: Conquering Malicious Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Types of Malware ......................................................................................................................119
Viruses and worms..........................................................................................................119
Spyware and adware ......................................................................................................120
Trojan horses and rootkits ..............................................................................................120
Conquering Spyware with Windows Defender ..........................................................................121
Opening Windows Defender ..........................................................................................122
Removing spyware from your computer..........................................................................123
Doing a quick scan ..............................................................................................124
Doing a custom scan ............................................................................................124
Automatic scanning ..............................................................................................124
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Contents
16. Preventing spyware ........................................................................................................125
Advanced and Administrator configuration options ........................................................127
Using Software Explorer to control startup programs......................................................128
Disallowing allowed programs ........................................................................................129
Joining the SpyNet community ......................................................................................130
Windows Defender Web site ..........................................................................................130
Using Antivirus Software ..........................................................................................................130
Virus protection ..............................................................................................................131
Virus protection and removal..........................................................................................133
Antivirus and Security Center ........................................................................................133
User Account Control and Malware ..........................................................................................134
The Malicious Software Removal Tool ......................................................................................134
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................134
Chapter 9: Automatic Updates as Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Understanding Automatic Updates............................................................................................137
Updates versus upgrades ................................................................................................138
Why updates are important ............................................................................................138
Enabling Automatic Updates ....................................................................................................138
Managing Updates ....................................................................................................................139
Managing optional updates ............................................................................................139
Change how updates work..............................................................................................141
Reviewing and removing updates....................................................................................142
Thwarting Exploits with DEP ....................................................................................................142
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................144
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Troubleshooting Firewall Problems............................................................................................145
Some Internet programs do not work when installed on Windows Vista ........................145
Error message “Windows Firewall has blocked this program from
accepting connections” ..............................................................................................145
Can’t adjust Windows Firewall for AOL dial-up connection............................................146
Phone dialer does not work after installing Windows Vista ............................................146
Troubleshooting Antivirus Programs..........................................................................................147
Troubleshooting Automatic Updates..........................................................................................147
Troubleshooting Windows Defender ..............................................................................147
Troubleshooting ActiveX Control Downloads............................................................................147
Part III: Personalizing Windows Vista 149
Chapter 11: Personalizing Your Work Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Showing/Hiding the Welcome Center........................................................................................151
Using the Personalization Page..................................................................................................153
Choosing a screen resolution ..........................................................................................153
Understanding aspect ratio ..................................................................................154
Filling the screen ..................................................................................................155
Adjusting color depth ..........................................................................................156
Using multiple monitors ................................................................................................156
Reducing monitor flicker ......................................................................................158
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Contents
17. Choosing a theme ..........................................................................................................159
Personalizing your color scheme ....................................................................................161
Making text sharper..............................................................................................164
Coloring individual screen elements ....................................................................164
Personalizing your desktop background..........................................................................164
Personalizing desktop icons ............................................................................................166
Creating your own desktop icons ........................................................................166
Sizing, arranging, showing, and hiding desktop icons ..........................................167
Customizing icons ................................................................................................169
Adjust the font size (DPI)................................................................................................170
Personalizing your screen saver ......................................................................................171
Personalizing sound effects ............................................................................................173
Personalizing your mouse ..............................................................................................174
Mice for lefties ......................................................................................................175
Adjusting the double-click speed..........................................................................177
Using ClickLock ..................................................................................................177
Speed up or slow down the mouse pointer ..........................................................177
Making the mouse pointer more visible ................................................................178
Changing mouse wheel behavior ..........................................................................179
Personalizing the Keyboard ......................................................................................................179
Personalizing the Start Menu ....................................................................................................180
Opening Taskbar and Start Menu Properties ..................................................................181
Personalize the right side of the Start menu ....................................................................183
Start menu folders ................................................................................................183
Start menu places ................................................................................................184
Start menu searching ............................................................................................185
Start menu behavior ............................................................................................185
Customizing the left side of the Start menu ....................................................................186
Reorganizing the All Programs menu ..............................................................................187
Creating Custom Shortcut Keys ................................................................................................188
Customizing the Taskbar ..........................................................................................................190
Locking and unlocking the taskbar ................................................................................192
Moving and sizing the taskbar ........................................................................................193
Showing toolbars on the taskbar ....................................................................................193
Sizing and positioning taskbar toolbars ..........................................................................194
Customizing the Quick Launch toolbar ................................................................195
Customizing the Links toolbar..............................................................................196
Customizing the Notification Area ............................................................................................197
Getting rid of Notification area icons ..............................................................................199
Tweaking the clock ..............................................................................................200
Using Windows Sidebar ............................................................................................................201
Showing/hiding the sidebar ............................................................................................202
Adding and removing gadgets ........................................................................................204
Using and manipulating gadgets ....................................................................................205
Using Windows SideShow ........................................................................................................205
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................206
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Contents
18. Chapter 12: Ease of Access, Speech, and Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Introducing Ease of Access Center ............................................................................................207
Help for visual impairments............................................................................................210
Using Microsoft Screen Magnifier ........................................................................210
Using Microsoft Narrator ......................................................................................212
Using High Contrast ............................................................................................213
Using the computer without a display ..................................................................213
Optimize visual display ........................................................................................214
Help for motor impairments ..........................................................................................215
Using the On-Screen Keyboard ............................................................................216
Using Mouse Keys ................................................................................................218
Using Sticky Keys ................................................................................................220
Using Toggle Keys ................................................................................................222
Using Filter Keys ..................................................................................................222
Help for hearing impairments ........................................................................................223
Make it easier to focus on tasks ......................................................................................224
Ease of Access administrative settings ............................................................................225
Accessibility keyboard shortcuts ....................................................................................225
Using Speech Recognition ........................................................................................................226
Getting started with speech recognition ..........................................................................227
Control speech recognition by voice ..............................................................................229
Commanding Windows by voice ....................................................................................229
Work anywhere by voice ................................................................................................231
Dictating text ..................................................................................................................231
Making dictation better ..................................................................................................234
Correct that ..........................................................................................................234
Improve voice recognition ....................................................................................234
Add words to the speech dictionary......................................................................235
Advanced speech recognition configuration..........................................................235
More speech recognition help ..............................................................................237
Regional and Language Settings ................................................................................................237
Change how numbers, dates, and times look ..................................................................238
Let them know your correct location ..............................................................................238
Working with multiple languages....................................................................................239
Using input languages ........................................................................................239
Switching languages and keyboards......................................................................241
Removing input languages....................................................................................243
Installing user interface languages ..................................................................................244
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................245
Chapter 13: Transferring Files from Another Computer . . . . . . . . . . . 247
What You Can Transfer..............................................................................................................247
What you can’t transfer ..................................................................................................248
Getting programs onto the new computer ......................................................................248
What not to install ..........................................................................................................248
Choosing a Transfer Method......................................................................................................249
Using a USB Easy Transfer cable......................................................................................249
Using a home network....................................................................................................250
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Contents
19. Using external disks........................................................................................................250
Using a jump drive or external hard disk..............................................................250
Using CDs or DVDs..............................................................................................250
Doing the Transfer ....................................................................................................................251
When the Transfer Is Finished ..................................................................................................253
Transferring without Windows Easy Transfer ............................................................................254
Manually transfer Internet Explorer Favorites ................................................................254
Manually transfer contacts ..............................................................................................255
Manually transfer Outlook Express e-mail messages ......................................................255
Transferring fonts............................................................................................................256
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................256
Chapter 14: Customizing Startup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
First Things First ......................................................................................................................257
Starting Application Programs Automatically ............................................................................258
Stopping autostart applications ......................................................................................259
Controlling Autostart Programs from Windows Defender..........................................................260
When Defender alerts you to autostart programs ............................................................261
Reviewing and disabling autostart programs ..................................................................262
Autostarting from the Services Snap-In......................................................................................263
Bypassing the Login Page ..........................................................................................................266
Troubleshooting Startup............................................................................................................266
Getting rid of disabled devices ........................................................................................267
When Windows won’t start at all ....................................................................................267
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................269
Chapter 15: Using Vista Programs and Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Important Stuff About Programs................................................................................................271
Using Windows Calculator........................................................................................................273
Typing with WordPad................................................................................................................274
Typing and navigating text ..............................................................................................275
Basic text editing ............................................................................................................276
Selecting text ........................................................................................................277
Formatting text ....................................................................................................278
Deleting and replacing chunks of text ..................................................................280
Using copy-and-paste and cut-and-paste ..............................................................280
Moving text within a document............................................................................281
Copy-and-paste a picture......................................................................................282
Saving a WordPad document ..........................................................................................282
Opening a WordPad document ......................................................................................284
Typing Special Characters with Character Map..........................................................................285
Installing Fonts ........................................................................................................................286
Using Notepad ..........................................................................................................................288
Zipping and Unzipping Files ....................................................................................................289
Zipping files....................................................................................................................289
Unzipping files................................................................................................................290
Annotating Screenshots with Snipping Tool ..............................................................................292
Saving a snip ..................................................................................................................293
Copy-and-paste a snip ....................................................................................................293
E-mail a snip ..................................................................................................................294
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Contents
20. Change Snipping Tool options ........................................................................................294
Screenshots the old-fashioned way..................................................................................294
Using Paint................................................................................................................................295
Using Sound Recorder ..............................................................................................................296
Using Windows Calendar..........................................................................................................298
Navigating the Calendar..................................................................................................300
Entering a task or appointment ......................................................................................300
Adding a received invitation to your Calendar ................................................................301
Creating multiple calendars ............................................................................................302
Sharing calendars............................................................................................................302
Viewing shared calendars................................................................................................303
Subscribing to online .iCalendars....................................................................................304
Searching the Calendar ..................................................................................................304
Managing and printing calendars ....................................................................................305
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................305
Chapter 16: Troubleshooting Customization Problems . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Desktop Problems ....................................................................................................................307
My screen is too large/small; my screen colors look awful ..............................................307
When I right-click the Vista desktop, I don’t get a Personalize option ............................308
Parts of my screen are cut off or blank ............................................................................308
My desktop picture doesn’t fit right ................................................................................308
Everything is huge; can’t see all of dialog boxes ..............................................................309
Icon names are too big or too small ................................................................................309
I don’t have any desktop icons (or don’t like their size) ..................................................310
I can’t put my desktop icons where I want them ............................................................310
My screen saver never kicks in........................................................................................310
Missing Aero Glass, Flip 3D, or Switch between Windows button ..................................310
Start Menu Problems ................................................................................................................311
My Start menu shows one column, not two ....................................................................311
Some Start items can’t be displayed ................................................................................311
The right side of my Start menu is missing some options................................................312
Taskbar Problems ......................................................................................................................312
My taskbar is missing......................................................................................................312
My taskbar is too tall (or messed up) ..............................................................................312
I don’t have a Quick Launch toolbar ..............................................................................313
I don’t have a Show Desktop button on my Quick Launch toolbar..................................313
Updating your Display Driver ..................................................................................................313
Part IV: Power Using the Internet 315
Chapter 17: Browsing and Blogging with Internet Explorer . . . . . . . . . 317
How the Web Works ................................................................................................................317
Using Internet Explorer ............................................................................................................320
Browsing to a Web site....................................................................................................320
Using AutoComplete ......................................................................................................321
Using hyperlinks ............................................................................................................321
Using Back, Forward, and History buttons......................................................................322
Magnifying a page ..........................................................................................................323
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Contents
21. Panes and toolbars ..........................................................................................................323
Full screen viewing ........................................................................................................324
Change your default home page......................................................................................324
Using Tabs ................................................................................................................................324
Using Quick Tabs............................................................................................................326
Creating multiple home page tabs ..................................................................................326
Rearranging and removing home page tabs ....................................................................327
Personalizing tabbed browsing........................................................................................327
Shortcut keys for tabs ....................................................................................................329
RSS Feeds: Blogging with Internet Explorer ..............................................................................330
Optional settings for RSS feeds........................................................................................331
Using the RSS Feeds gadget ............................................................................................332
Managing Favorite Sites ............................................................................................................332
Adding tab groups to Favorites ......................................................................................333
Organizing Favorites ......................................................................................................334
Importing and exporting Favorites..................................................................................335
Blocking Pop-Ups......................................................................................................................336
Using the Information bar ..............................................................................................337
When pop-ups still get through ......................................................................................338
Using the Phishing Filter ..........................................................................................................338
How the Phishing Filter works........................................................................................339
Getting the most from the Phishing Filter ......................................................................340
What if I’ve already been tricked? ........................................................................340
How do I protect myself in the future?..................................................................341
Deleting the Browser History ....................................................................................................341
Clearing out AutoComplete entries ................................................................................341
Preventing AutoComplete ..............................................................................................342
Understanding cookies....................................................................................................343
Deleting cookies ..................................................................................................343
Adjusting cookie privacy settings..........................................................................343
Looking at cookies and privacy policies................................................................344
Understanding temporary Internet files ..........................................................................344
Clearing out temporary Internet files ..............................................................................346
Temporary Internet files settings ....................................................................................346
A note on certificates ......................................................................................................347
Using Internet Security Zones ..................................................................................................350
Printing Web Pages....................................................................................................................352
Using Print Preview ........................................................................................................353
Important printing tip ....................................................................................................354
Saving Web Pages......................................................................................................................354
Copying content from Web pages ..................................................................................357
Downloading pictures and videos ..................................................................................357
Making Internet Explorer Your Default Browser ........................................................................357
Searching the Web ....................................................................................................................358
Choosing search providers ..............................................................................................358
Choosing a default provider............................................................................................359
Searching from the Search box........................................................................................359
Searching from the Address bar ......................................................................................359
Searching the Current Page ............................................................................................360
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22. Getting More with Add-ons ......................................................................................................360
Shopping for add-ons ....................................................................................................360
Managing add-ons ..........................................................................................................360
Internet Explorer Help and Troubleshooting ............................................................................362
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................362
Chapter 18: Doing E-Mail with Windows Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
How E-Mail Works....................................................................................................................363
Introducing Windows Mail........................................................................................................364
What you need to know to get started ............................................................................366
Setting up your e-mail account ......................................................................................368
Writing E-Mail with Windows Mail ..........................................................................................370
Typing and editing tips....................................................................................................371
Check your spelling ........................................................................................................372
Add a background color, picture, or sound ....................................................................372
Setting message priority ..................................................................................................372
Requesting a read receipt ................................................................................................373
Getting your E-Mail ..................................................................................................................373
Replying to a message ....................................................................................................373
Forwarding a message ....................................................................................................374
Other stuff you can do with a message............................................................................374
Magnifying e-mail text..........................................................................................376
Sorting message headers ......................................................................................376
Sizing and positioning columns............................................................................376
Sizing the Preview pane........................................................................................376
Using E-mail Attachments ........................................................................................................377
Attaching a file to a message............................................................................................377
E-mailing documents from folders........................................................................379
E-mailing pictures from Windows Photo Gallery ..................................................380
Opening received attachments ........................................................................................380
Saving attachments as files ..............................................................................................382
Saving embedded pictures as files ..................................................................................384
Converting e-mail messages to files ................................................................................384
Composing Fancy Messages with HTML ..................................................................................384
HTML, default font, and stationery ................................................................................385
Using fonts, sizes, boldface, underline, italics, colors ......................................................386
Typing a list ....................................................................................................................387
Indenting and aligning text ............................................................................................387
Inserting pictures ............................................................................................................388
Inserting a line................................................................................................................389
Adding hyperlinks to e-mail messages ............................................................................390
Type a link............................................................................................................390
Copy and paste a link ..........................................................................................390
Custom links ........................................................................................................390
Automatic e-mail signing ................................................................................................391
Dealing with Spam (Junk E-mail)..............................................................................................393
Identifying safe senders ..................................................................................................393
Blocking specific senders ................................................................................................394
Blocking by country and language ..................................................................................395
Blocking phishing scams ................................................................................................395
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23. Managing junk mail and good mail ................................................................................396
Phishing scam e-mails ....................................................................................................396
Managing Mail Folders and Messages........................................................................................398
Choosing columns for the contents pane ........................................................................398
Flagging messages that need more attention....................................................................400
Grouping conversation messages ....................................................................................400
Filtering messages ..........................................................................................................400
Create your own mail folders ..........................................................................................403
Moving, renaming, and deleting mail folders ........................................................404
Showing/hiding mail folders ................................................................................405
Managing messages ........................................................................................................405
Selecting multiple e-mail messages ......................................................................405
Moving messages to a folder ................................................................................406
Deleting messages ................................................................................................406
Permanently deleting messages ............................................................................407
Auto-organizing messages through rules ........................................................................407
Auto-responding to messages..........................................................................................409
Searching for Messages..............................................................................................................411
Searching from the Start menu........................................................................................412
Searching from the Search window ................................................................................413
Personalizing Windows Mail ....................................................................................................413
General options ..............................................................................................................413
Read options ..................................................................................................................415
Mark message read after displaying for x seconds ................................................415
Automatically expand grouped messages ............................................................415
Automatically download message when viewing in the Preview Pane ..................416
Read all messages in plain text ............................................................................416
Show ToolTips in the message list for clipped items ............................................416
Highlight watched messages ................................................................................416
News settings........................................................................................................416
Fonts settings........................................................................................................416
Receipt options ..............................................................................................................416
Send options ..................................................................................................................418
Compose options ..........................................................................................................419
Compose font ......................................................................................................419
Stationery ............................................................................................................420
Business cards ......................................................................................................420
Signature options............................................................................................................421
Spelling options ..............................................................................................................421
E-mail security options ..................................................................................................421
Virus Protection....................................................................................................421
Downloaded images..............................................................................................422
Secure Mail ..........................................................................................................423
Connection options ........................................................................................................423
Advanced options ..........................................................................................................423
Contact Attachment Conversion ..........................................................................424
IMAP ....................................................................................................................425
Message Threads ..................................................................................................425
Reply/Forward......................................................................................................425
Restore Defaults....................................................................................................425
Maintenance ........................................................................................................425
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24. Managing E-mail Accounts........................................................................................................427
Managing Messages with Multiple Computers ..........................................................................429
Customizing the Toolbar ..........................................................................................................430
Securing E-mail with Digital IDs ..............................................................................................431
Getting a digital ID..........................................................................................................432
Using your digital ID ......................................................................................................433
Importing Messages from Other Programs ................................................................................435
Exporting Messages to Other Programs ....................................................................................435
Where and How Messages Are Stored ......................................................................................436
More on Windows Mail ............................................................................................................437
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................437
Chapter 19: Beyond E-Mail and the Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
About Newsgroups....................................................................................................................439
Creating a newsgroup account ........................................................................................440
Downloading newsgroup names ....................................................................................442
Subscribing to newsgroups ............................................................................................442
Viewing newsgroup messages..........................................................................................443
Posting a newsgroup message ........................................................................................444
Replying to newsgroup messages ....................................................................................446
Getting the latest messages..............................................................................................446
Searching newsgroup messages ......................................................................................448
Quick Searches from the Search box ....................................................................448
Searching from the Start menu..............................................................................449
Saving useful messages....................................................................................................449
Hiding irrelevant messages..............................................................................................449
Creating newsgroup message rules..................................................................................450
Unscrambling messages ..................................................................................................451
Unsubscribing from a group ..........................................................................................452
Personalizing newsgroups ..............................................................................................452
Using FTP ................................................................................................................................452
Anonymous FTP versus FTP accounts ............................................................................452
Using Explorer as an FTP client ......................................................................................453
Using Remote Assistance ..........................................................................................................454
Setting up Remote Assistance..........................................................................................454
Requesting remote assistance ..........................................................................................455
Using Remote Desktop..............................................................................................................457
Allowing remote connections on a home network ..........................................................458
Connecting from a remote home network PC ................................................................459
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................460
Chapter 20: Managing Names and Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Opening Contacts ....................................................................................................................461
Changing how you view Contacts ..................................................................................462
Making shortcuts to Contacts..........................................................................................462
Creating a contact ..........................................................................................................463
Opening and editing contacts ........................................................................................464
Create a “me” contact......................................................................................................465
Creating Contact Groups ..........................................................................................................465
Printing Contacts ......................................................................................................................467
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25. Importing and Exporting Contacts ............................................................................................468
Importing people to your Contacts folder ......................................................................468
Exporting contacts to vCards ..........................................................................................469
Exporting to a CSV file....................................................................................................470
Searching for Contacts ..............................................................................................................470
Sharing Contacts on a Network ................................................................................................470
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................471
Chapter 21: Troubleshooting Internet Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Troubleshooting Internet Explorer ............................................................................................473
Clicking a hyperlink has no effect ..................................................................................473
Can’t download program or ActiveX control ..................................................................473
Security alert about leaving a secure Internet connection ................................................474
Error message “This page cannot be displayed” ..............................................................475
Can’t change the default home page................................................................................475
Saved pictures stored as bitmaps (.bmp files)..................................................................475
Content Advisor dialog box or message opens ................................................................476
All other Internet Explorer problems/features ................................................................476
Troubleshooting Windows Mail ................................................................................................476
Error message “The host name could not be found . . .”..................................................476
Some of my mail is not showing up in my Inbox ............................................................478
Pictures are missing from e-mail messages ......................................................................478
Can’t open or save e-mail attachment..............................................................................478
Message “Your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls . . .” ..............479
All other Windows Mail problems/features......................................................................479
More Internet Troubleshooting..................................................................................................479
Part V: Pictures, Music, and Movies 481
Chapter 22: Playing with Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483
Getting Pictures into Your Computer ........................................................................................483
Getting pictures from a digital camera ............................................................................483
Getting pictures from a memory card..............................................................................485
Getting pictures from a CD or DVD ................................................................................486
Getting pictures from a scanner ......................................................................................487
Using pictures you get by e-mail ....................................................................................488
Copying pictures from Web sites ....................................................................................489
Copy and paste pictures..................................................................................................490
Taking screenshots..........................................................................................................490
Using the Snipping Tool ......................................................................................490
Using the Print Screen key....................................................................................491
Using Your Pictures Folder........................................................................................................492
Pictures folder quick tips ................................................................................................495
Why some pictures show icons ......................................................................................497
Videos in your Pictures folder ........................................................................................498
Renaming pictures and videos ........................................................................................498
Using Windows Photo Gallery ..................................................................................................499
Choosing what to view and how ....................................................................................500
Photo Gallery quick tips..................................................................................................501
Selecting thumbnails in the gallery..................................................................................501
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26. Dating, rating, tagging, and captioning ..........................................................................502
Filtering pictures ............................................................................................................503
Changing tags ................................................................................................................504
Use a picture as your desktop background......................................................................505
Adding pictures to Photo Gallery ....................................................................................505
Using the Photo Gallery Viewer ......................................................................................505
Zooming and panning ..........................................................................................506
Back to the Gallery ..............................................................................................506
Making a duplicate photo ....................................................................................506
Use your Photo Gallery as a screen saver ........................................................................507
Fixing photos..................................................................................................................507
Auto Adjust ..........................................................................................................508
Adjust Exposure ..................................................................................................508
Adjust Color ........................................................................................................508
Cropping ..............................................................................................................508
Fixing red eye ......................................................................................................509
Saving Fix pane changes ......................................................................................510
Choosing Photo Gallery options......................................................................................510
Making movies from Photo Gallery ................................................................................512
Printing Pictures........................................................................................................................513
Printing from Windows Photo Gallery ............................................................................513
Printing pictures from a folder ........................................................................................515
Using the Slide Show Gadget ....................................................................................................516
Pixels and Megapixels................................................................................................................517
File extension, size, and dimensions ..............................................................................519
TIFF pictures........................................................................................................521
JPEG pictures........................................................................................................521
GIF pictures..........................................................................................................521
PNG pictures ........................................................................................................521
BMP pictures ........................................................................................................521
Changing a picture type or size ......................................................................................522
Pictures, Tags, and Virtual Folders ............................................................................................523
Wrap Up ..................................................................................................................................524
Chapter 23: Making Music with Media Player 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
Controlling Sound Volume........................................................................................................525
Starting Windows Media Player ................................................................................................527
Media Player program window........................................................................................527
Media Player menus........................................................................................................528
Play controls ..................................................................................................................529
Closing/minimizing Windows Media Player....................................................................529
Listening to a CD ......................................................................................................................530
Now Playing, Visualizations, and Enhancements ......................................................................531
Using the playlist ............................................................................................................532
Using Enhancements ......................................................................................................533
Stopping a CD ................................................................................................................534
Play CDs automatically with Media Player ......................................................................534
Ripping (Copying) Music CDs ..................................................................................................535
Options for ripping CDs ................................................................................................535
Choosing where to put songs................................................................................536
Choosing how to name files..................................................................................536
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