My Windows 8.1 Computer for Seniors, 2nd Edition

Description

Easy, clear, readable, and focused on what you want to do
Step-by-step instructions for the tasks you care about most
Large, full-color, close-up photos show you exactly what to do
Common-sense help whenever you run into problems
Tips and notes to help you do even more

Over the years, you’ve learned a lot. Now, learn Windows 8.1!  We’ve identified the Windows 8/8.1 skills you need to stay connected with people you care about: keep your computer reliable, productive, and safe; express your creativity; find new passions; and live a better life!

Our crystal-clear instructions respect your smarts but never assume you’re an expert. Big, colorful photos on nearly every page make this book incredibly easy to read and use!
    •    Set up your computer with no fuss or aggravation
    •    Get productive fast, even if you don’t have computer experience
    •    Use Windows’ new touch features if you have a touchscreen device
    •    Safeguard your privacy, and protect yourself from online scams
    •    Find, install, and use easy new Modern apps
    •    Display up-to-the-minute news, weather, and stock prices
    •    Browse the Web with the great new Internet Explorer 11
    •    Use new SmartSearch to find everything faster on the Internet
    •    Discover reliable health and financial information online
    •    Make free Skype video calls to friends and family
    •    Use Facebook to find old friends and see what they’re up to
    •    Store your pictures, fix them, and share them with loved ones
    •    Read eBooks on your PC—even enlarge text for greater comfort
    •    Watch TV or movies with Netflix, Hulu Plus, or YouTube
    •    Enjoy your music, and discover great music you’ve never heard
    •    Fix your own computer problems without help

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Prologue:  Basic Operations     3
Using Windows with a Mouse or Touchpad     3
   Mouse and Touchpad Operations     4
Using Windows with a Keyboard    6
   Keyboard Operations     6
Using Windows on a Touchscreen PC     8
   Touchscreen Operations     8
Chapter 1  Understanding Computer Basics     11
Examining Key Components     11
   Hard Disk Drive     12
   Memory     13
   Processor     13
   Display     14
   Keyboard     15
   Pointing Device     16
   Connectors     17
Exploring Different Types of PCs     19
   Desktop PCs     19
   Notebook PCs     21
Which Type of PC Should You Buy?     22
Setting Up Your New Computer System     23
   Set Up a Notebook PC     23
   Set Up a Traditional Desktop PC     24
   Set Up an All-in-One Desktop PC     26
Chapter 2  Using Windows 8.1—If You’ve Never Used a Computer Before      29
Powering Up and Powering Down     29
   Turn On and Configure Your New PC—for the First Time     30
   Turn On Your System—Normally     39
   Turn Off Your Computer     40
Finding Your Way Around Windows 8.1     41
   Display the Start Screen     42
   Use the Start Screen     43
   Display the Charms Bar     44
   Use the Charms Bar     45
   Display the Desktop     46
Chapter 3  Using Windows 8.1—If You’ve Used Windows Before     49
What’s New in Windows 8.1?     50
   Changes from Windows 7 to Windows 8     50
   Changes from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1     51
Logging in with the New Lock Screen     53
   Log into Windows     54
Launching Apps from the New Start Screen     55
   Display the Start Screen     56
   Scroll Through the Start Screen     57
   Open a Tile     58
   Find Additional Apps and Utilities     59
Accessing the Desktop and Traditional Apps     60
   Open the Desktop     60
   Open a Traditional Desktop App     61
Exploring Improved System Tools     62
Configuring Options from the Charms Bar     63
   Configure Windows 8.1 from the Charms Bar     64
Relearning Essential Operations     65
Making Windows 8.1 More Like Windows 7     68
   Boot to the Desktop     68
   Display Your Desktop Background on the Start Screen     69
   Disable Live Corners     70
   Show Desktop Apps First     71
Chapter 4  Setting Up User Accounts     75
Understanding User Accounts     75
   Microsoft Accounts     76
   Local Accounts     77
Setting Up a New Account on Your PC     77
   Set Up a New User with a Microsoft Account     78
   Set Up a New User with a Local Account     82
Switching Users     84
   Change Users     84
   Sign Out of Windows     85
   Sign In with Multiple Users     85
Chapter 5  Personalizing Windows     89
Personalizing the Start Screen     89
   Change the Background Color and Pattern     90
   Show Your Desktop Background on the Start Screen     91
   Make a Tile Larger or Smaller     93
   Rearrange Tiles     94
   Organize Tiles into Groups     95
   Name Groups of Tiles     96
   Remove a Tile     97
   Add a New Tile     97
   Turn On or Off a Live Tile     98
   Show the Apps Screen Instead of the Start Screen     99
Personalizing the Lock Screen     99
   Change the Lock Screen Background     100
   Display a Slideshow on the Lock Screen     102
   Add Apps to the Lock Screen     104
   Change Your Account Picture     106
Configuring Other Windows Settings     107
   Configure Settings from the PC Settings Screen     107
   Configure Settings from the Traditional Control Panel     113
Chapter 6  Using New Windows Apps     115
Finding Apps in Windows 8.1     115
   Search for Apps Installed on Your PC     116
   Display All Your Apps     117
   Pin an App to the Start Screen     118
Working with New Modern Apps     118
   Configure App Options     119
   Switch Between Apps     119
   Snap Two or More Apps on the Same Screen     121
   Close an Open App     123
Using Popular Windows 8.1 Apps     124
   News     124
   Weather     125
   Sports     126
   Finance     127
   Travel     127
   Maps     130
   Calendar     132
   Alarms     133
   Calculator     135
   Food and Drink     136
   Health and Fitness     136
Finding New Apps in the Windows Store     137
   Browse the Windows Store     137
   Download and Install a New App     139
Chapter 7  Using Traditional Apps on the Desktop     143
Personalizing the Windows Desktop     143
   Display the Desktop     144
   Change the Desktop Background     145
   Change the Color Scheme     147
   Choose a Screen Saver     149
Launching Your Favorite Programs     151
   Create a Shortcut on the Desktop     151
   Pin a Program to the Taskbar     152
   Open a Program     153
Working with Traditional Software Programs     154
   Manage Windows     154
   Scroll Through a Window     156
   Use Pull-Down Menus     157
   Use Toolbars and Ribbons     158
Chapter 8  Browsing and Searching the Web    161
Connecting to the Internet—and Your Home Network     161
   Connect to Your Home Network     162
   Connect to a HomeGroup     165
   Access Other Computers in Your HomeGroup     168
   Access Non-HomeGroup Computers on Your Network     169
Connecting to the Internet at a Wi-Fi Hotspot     170
   Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot     170
Using Internet Explorer (Modern Version)     173
   Launch Internet Explorer (Modern Version)     173
   Browse the Web     175
   Open Multiple Pages in Tabs     176
   Save Your Favorite Web Pages     177
   Return to a Saved Page     178
Using Internet Explorer (Desktop Version)     178
   Launch Internet Explorer on the Desktop     178
   Browse the Web     179
   Open Multiple Pages in Tabs     180
   Save Your Favorite Pages     181
   Return to a Saved Page     182
   Set Your Home Page     183
Searching the Internet     184
   Search Google     184
   Search Bing     186
   Smart Search from Within Windows     188
Chapter 9  Protecting Yourself from Online Threats     191
Protecting Against Identity Theft and Phishing Schemes     192
   Avoiding Phishing Scams     193
   Keeping Your Private Information Private     195
   Hiding Personal Information on Facebook     196
   Keeping Your Facebook Posts Private     197
Protecting Against Online Fraud     198
   Identifying Online Scams     199
   Avoiding Online Fraud     200
Protecting Against Computer Viruses and Other Malware     201
   Protecting Against Malware     202
Protecting Against Online Attacks and Intrusions     205
   Employing a Firewall     205
Chapter 10  Senior Living Online     209
Reading Local and Community News Online     209
   Find Local News     209
   Find Local Weather     211
Exploring Travel Opportunities Online     212
   Research a Destination     212
   Make Reservations     214
Discovering Recipes Online     215
   Find Tasty Recipes     215
Finding Healthcare Information Online     217
   Research Medical Conditions     217
   Find a Doctor     218
   Order Prescription Drugs     220
Obtaining Legal Advice Online     221
   Find Legal Advice and Services     221
Managing Your Finances Online     222
   Do Your Banking and Pay Your Bills     223
   Track Your Investments     224
Shopping Online     225
   Find a Bargain     225
   Purchase an Item     227
   Shop Safely    227
Chapter 11  Emailing Friends and Family     231
Using the Windows Mail App     231
   Set Up Your Email Account     232
   View Incoming Messages     234
   Reply to a Message     235
   Send a New Message     236
   Move a Message to Another Folder     238
Using Web-Based Email     239
   Send and Receive Messages with Yahoo! Mail     239
   Send and Receive Messages with Gmail     242
   Send and Receive Messages with Outlook.com     244
Managing Your Contacts with the People App     245
   View Your Contacts     245
   Add a New Contact     247
Chapter 12  Video Calling with Skype     251
Setting Up Skype     251
   Launch the Skype App     252
   Configure Your Skype Account     253
   Add a Contact     254
Calling with Skype     255
   Make a Video Call     255
   Make a Voice Call     257
Chapter 13  Connecting with Facebook and Other Social Media    261
Sharing with Friends and Family on Facebook     262
   Sign Up for Facebook     262
   Discover New—and Old—Friends on Facebook     263
   Post a Status Update     267
   Find Out What Your Friends Are Up To     269
   Explore Your Friends’ Timelines     270
Pinning Items of Interest to Pinterest     271
   Create New Pinboards     272
   Find and Repin Interesting Items     273
   Pin an Item from a Web Page     274
   Find People to Follow     275
Managing Your Social Media with the People App     276
   Connect to Your Social Network Accounts     277
   View Your Friends’ Social Activity     278
   Post to Facebook     280
Chapter 14  Storing and Sharing Pictures with Loved Ones     283
Using Your Digital Camera with Your Windows PC     283
   Transfer Photos from a Memory Card     284
   Transfer Photos from an iPhone or iPad     286
Viewing Photos on Your PC     288
   View Your Photos     288
Touching Up Your Photos     290
   Auto Fix a Photo     290
   Rotate a Photo     291
   Crop a Photo     292
   Remove Red Eye     293
   Retouch a Photo     295
   Adjust Brightness and Contrast     296
   Adjust Color and Tint     298
   Apply Special Effects     299
Sharing Your Pictures Online     301
   Attach a Photo in Windows Mail     301
   View an Attached Photo     304
   Upload Photos to a New Facebook Photo Album     305
   Upload Pictures to an Existing Facebook Photo Album     308
   View Photos on Facebook     309
Chapter 15  Reading Books on Your PC     313
Reading eBooks with Amazon’s Kindle App     313
   Purchase eBooks from Amazon     314
   Read an eBook     316
   Change How a Book Is Displayed Onscreen     318
Reading eBooks with Barnes & Noble’s NOOK App     320
   Purchase eBooks from Barnes & Noble     320
   Read an eBook     323
   Change How a Book Is Displayed Onscreen     325
Chapter 16  Watching Movies and TV Shows on Your PC     329
Watching Movies on Netflix     329
   Sign Up or Sign In     330
   Watch a Movie or TV Show     331
Watching TV Shows on Hulu Plus     335
   Sign Up or Sign In     335
   Watch TV Programming     337
Sharing Videos on YouTube     341
   View a Video     341
   Upload Your Own Video     343
Purchasing Videos with the Xbox Video App     344
   Purchase a Video     345
   View a Video     348
Chapter 17  Listening to Music on Your PC    353
Using the Xbox Music App     354
   Play Your Own Music     354
   Create and Play a Playlist     356
   Purchase and Download New Music     357
   Stream Music Online     360
Using iTunes     363
   Play Digital Music     363
   Create and Play Playlists     365
   Play a CD     366
   Rip a CD to Your PC     368
   Burn Your Own CDs     369
   Download Music from the iTunes Store     371
Chapter 18  Using Files and Folders     375
Using File Explorer     375
   Open File Explorer     376
   Navigate Folders and Libraries     377
   Use the Navigation Pane     378
   Change the Folder View     379
   Sort Files and Folders     381
Working with Folders     382
   Create a New Folder     382
   Rename a Folder     383
Managing Files     384
   Copy a File     385
   Move a File     386
   Delete a File     387
   Restore a Deleted File     388
   Empty the Recycle Bin     389
Working with Microsoft SkyDrive     389
   Manage Files with the SkyDrive App     390
Chapter 19  Making Windows Easier to Use by Seniors     393
Employing Ease of Access Functions     393
   Access Ease of Access Features     394
   Enlarge the Screen     395
   Improve Onscreen Contrast     396
   Make the Cursor Easier to See     397
   Read Text Aloud with Narrator     398
   Operate Your PC via Voice Command     400
   Use the On-Screen Keyboard     401
Using Alternative Input Devices     402
   Replace the Touchpad     403
   Attach a Different Keyboard     404
Connecting a Larger Screen     404
   Connect a New Monitor     405
Chapter 20  Dealing with Common Problems    407
Performing Necessary Maintenance     407
   Delete Unnecessary Files     408
   Delete Unused Programs     410
   Check Your Hard Drive for Errors     411
Backing Up Important Files     412
   Activate File History     412
   Restore Backup Files     414
Fixing Simple Problems     415
   You Can’t Connect to the Internet     415
   You Can’t Go to a Specific Web Page     416
   You Can’t Print     417
   Your Computer Is Slow     418
   A Specific Program Freezes     420
   Your Entire Computer Freezes     421
Recovering from Serious Problems     422
   Restore Your Computer to a Previous State     423
   Refresh System Files     425
   Reset Your System     427
Index     431

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