Home > Store > Operating Systems > Microsoft Windows Desktop

larger cover

Add To My Wish List

Using Microsoft Windows 7

  • Audio & Video
  • Description
  • Extras
  • Reviews
  • Sample Content & TOC

Audio

Listen to an audio sample from Using Microsoft Windows 7.

Video

You need to upgrade your Flash Player. You need version 9 or above to view this video. You may download it here. You may also see this message if you have JavaScript turned off. If this is the case, please enable JavaScript and reload the page.

Get comfortable with Windows 7. Don’t just read about it: See it and hear it with step-by-step video tutorials and valuable audio sidebars delivered through the Free Web Edition that comes with every USING book. For the price of the book, you get online access anywhere with a web connection–no books to carry, content updated as Windows 7 changes, and the benefit of video and

audio learning. Way more than just a book, this is all the help you’ll ever need where you want, when you want!

  

* Learn fast, learn easy, using web, video, and audio

* Show Me video walks through tasks you’ve just got to see–including bonus advanced techniques

* Tell Me More audio delivers practical insights straight from the experts

 

UNLOCK THE FREE WEB EDITION–To register your USING book, visit quepublishing.com/using.

Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Everything You NEED to Learn about Windows 7, August 10, 2010
This review is from: Using Microsoft Windows 7 (Paperback)
Using Windows 7 by J. Peter Bruzzese is a very affordable way to learn how to use Microsoft's new operating system Windows 7. The book is structured in a simple format that makes following along a cinch. After reading this book I can now implement all of Windows 7 new features and customize my new computer they way I want it. This book is very diverse by applying to beginners with step by step instructions and it also applies to professionals by containing technical information about the operating system.

Pros:
- Well structured
- Simple step by step analysis
- Screenshots to help guide the user
- Online video tutorials

Cons:
- All black and white, making reading sometimes boring and screenshots not as easy to see
- Only a few spelling/grammar errors

Overall, for only $15 I definitely recommend it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars useless fawning at the feet of Microsoft, February 2, 2012
This review is from: Using Microsoft Windows 7 (Paperback)
You know something's wrong right away, when you see that the book is dedicated to "the Microsoft developers and others at Microsoft" who "continue to develop the OS we've known and loved for years." This book reads like a Microsoft press release -- nothing but praise for every feature, no in-depth analysis of anything, and not one word about any problems that a user might encounter. I'm guessing that the authors wrote this utterly useless junk while on their knees in front of Gates and Ballmer.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


Share your thoughts with other customers:
 See both customer reviews...

Online Sample Chapter

Personalizing Your Windows 7 System

Table of Contents

1 Navigating Your Windows 7 Environment

The Windows 7 Desktop

    Begin Learning How to Navigate Around Your Desktop

Desktop Gadgets

    Let’s Work with a Few Gadgets on Your Desktop

    Locate and Download Additional Gadgets from the Internet

Using Shortcut Keys

    Let’s Try a Few Shortcut Keys

An Enhanced Taskbar and Start Menu

    Working with the Taskbar

Jump Lists Help You Work Faster

    Using the Windows Explorer Jump List

Aero Shake and Aero Snap

    Aero Shake

    Aero Snap

Working with New Windows Explorer Features

    Searching

    Federated Search

    Libraries

Shutting Down Your System

    Putting Your System To Sleep

 

2 Personalizing Your System

Changing Display Settings

    Adjusting Your System to Work With Multiple Monitors

Altering Personalization Settings

    Adjusting Your Background

    Customizing Your Screen Saver

Configuring the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

    Taskbar Tab

    Start Menu Tab

    Toolbars Tab

Configuring Time Options

    Adding an Additional Clock to the Notification Area

Installing Applications

    Installing an Application

 

3 Working with Onboard Applications

Using WordPad and Paint

    WordPad

    Paint

Using the Calculator

Using the Snipping Tool

    Taking a Freeform Snip with the Snipping Tool

Using DVD Maker

    Creating a Custom DVD from Stored Video

Using the Command Prompt (For Users and Admins)

Combining Tools Project

    Putting All Our Onboard Tools Into One Task

 

4 Windows Live Essentials

Download Windows Live Essentials

    Downloading and Installing the Windows Live Essentials Tools

Windows Live Messenger

    Altering the Live Messenger Background

    Configure Live Messenger to Not Save Your Contact List

    in a Shared Environment

Windows Live Call

Windows Live Family Safety

    Setting Up the Family Safety Filter

Windows Live Mail

    Create and Configure a New Email Account

Customizing Your Interface Colors

    Add and Save an Appointment with Your Calendar

    Adding Calendars

Windows Live Movie Maker

    Create and Publish a Video

    Build an Impressive Photo Slide Show

Windows Live Photo Gallery

    Photo Straightening with Live Photo Gallery

    Creating a Photo Panorama

Windows Live Writer

    Opening an Additional Blog Account with Live Writer

 

5 Viewing and Sharing Media

Using Windows Media Player 12

    Adding Media to your Windows Media Player 12 Library

    Edit Your Media Information Manually in Your Library

    Deleting Files from the Library Only

    Creating a Personal Playlist

    Altering the Video Border Color

Using Windows Media Center

    Adding a Media Center Library

    Customizing Media Center Settings

    Troubleshooting Your TV Connection

Volume Mixer Improvements

    Lowering Specific Application Audio

Turning Features On and Off

    Turning the Index Service

Media Streaming

    Using Media Streaming

    Using Tabbed Browsing in IE8

 

6 Internet Explorer 8.0

The Evolution of IE8

    Quick Tabs

    Tab Settings

    Tab Groups: Grouped Favorites and Multiple Home Pages

    Additional IE7 Features Carried Over to IE8

Using New Features in IE8

    Suggested Sites

    Accelerators

    Web Slices

    Compatibility View

Working with Security Enhancements

    Protected Mode

    The SmartScreen Filter

    InPrivate Browsing

    InPrivate Filtering

    Additional IE Features

    Add-Ons

    Pop-Up Blocker

    Security Report

 

7 Using Security Features in Windows 7

User Account Control (UAC) Improvements

    In-Depth Look at UAC

    What’s New with UAC?

    UAC Within Your Network

The Action Center

    Opening the Action Center

    Viewing and Saving Data from the Reliability Monitor

    Turning Off Virus Protection Messages in the Action Center

    Downloading and Installing Free Antivirus Software

Windows Defender

    Performing a Quick Scan with Windows Defender

    Performing a Full Scan of Your Computer from the

    Windows Defender Console

    Performing a Custom Scan of Your Computer from the

    Windows Defender Console

    Windows Defender Tools and Settings

Windows Firewall

    Turning Off Windows Firewall

    Allowing a Program or Feature Through Windows Firewall

    Opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

    Open Local Ports in Windows Firewall

    Restoring Windows Firewall Default Settings

BitLocker Encryption

    Setting Up BitLocker to Work on an Operating System

    BitLocker to Go

Windows Biometric Framework

    Opening the Biometric Devices Control Panel

 

8 Networking with Windows 7

HomeGroups

    Creating a HomeGroup

    Locating a Lost HomeGroup Password

    Accessing the HomeGroup Settings

    Changing the HomeGroup Password

    Sharing Additional Libraries with the HomeGroup

    Removing Libraries from the HomeGroup

    Removing Your Computer From a HomeGroup

    Using the HomeGroup Troubleshooter

    Turning on Public Folder Sharing

    Workgroups, HomeGroups, and Domains: What’s the Difference?

The Network and Sharing Center

    Upgrade Your Network Adapter Driver

    Setting Up Your Network Location

Utilizing the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI)

    Removing the Network Icon from the Notification Area

The Network Map

    Viewing the Network Map

Advanced Sharing Settings

Troubleshoot Problems

    Accessing the Troubleshooting Packs

    Accessing the Internet Connections Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the Shared Folders Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the HomeGroup Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the Network Adapter Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the Incoming Connections Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the Connection to a Workplace Using

    DirectAccess Troubleshooting Pack

    Accessing the Printer Troubleshooting Pack

Configuring Your TCP/IP Settings

    Opening Local Area Connection Properties

    Checking Your TCP/IP Settings from a Command Prompt

    Changing a Network Adapter to Use a Static IPv4 Address

    Setting Up Internet Connection Sharing on a Wired Network

 

9 Using Windows 7 on the Network

Domain Networking

    The Logon Process and Tokens

    Joining a Domain

    Domain-Joined Computers and HomeGroups

    Changing Advanced Sharing Settings

Looking at DirectAccess and BranchCache

    DirectAccess

    BranchCache

AppLocker

    Open AppLocker to Configure Rules

    Starting the Application Identity Service and Configuring

    AppLocker to Audit Rules

Local Group Policy Settings

    Opening MMC and Saving the Local Group Policy Editor Snap-In

    Creating a 90-Day Password Policy Using Local

    Security Policy Editor

Remote Desktop Connections

    Opening Remote Desktop Connection

    Configuring Remote Desktop Connection Permission

    on a Host Machine

    Connecting with Another Computer on the Same Network

RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

    Starting RemoteApp and Desktop Connections Using a URL

 

10 Control Panel Features in Windows 7

Using the Control Panel

    Expanding the Control Panel from the Start Menu

The Item Lineup

    The Action Center

    Administrative Tools

    AutoPlay

    Backup and Restore

    BitLocker Drive Encryption

    Color Management

    Credential Manager

    Date and Time

    Default Programs

    Desktop Gadgets

    Device Manager

    Devices and Printers

    Device Stage

    Display

    Ease of Access Center

    Folder Options

    Fonts

    Getting Started

    HomeGroup

    Indexing Options

    Internet Options

    Keyboard

    Location and Other Sensors

    Mouse

    Network and Sharing Center

    Notification Area Icons

    Parental Controls

    Performance Information and Tools

    Personalization

    Phone and Modem

    Power Options

    Programs and Features

    Recovery

    Region and Language

    RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

    Sound

    Speech Recognition

    Sync Center

    System

    Taskbar and Start Menu

Troubleshooting

    Problem Steps Recorder (PSR)

    User Accounts

    Windows CardSpace

    Windows Defender

    Windows Firewall

    Windows Mobile Device Center

    Windows Update

 

11 Managing and Monitoring Windows 7

Performance Information and Tools

    Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT)

    Advanced Tools

The Reliability Monitor

The Resource Monitor

    Open the Resource Monitor

Working with the Performance Monitor

Task Manager

    Applications

    Processes

    Services

    Performance

    Networking

    Users

    Menu Items

System Properties

    Computer Name

    Hardware

    Advanced

    System Protection

    Remote

System Information

    Accessing System Information

 

12 Working with Administrative Tools

Using Administrative Tools

    Creating a Link to the Administrative Tools Section from the Start Menu

Tools You Might Never Use

    Component Services

    Data Sources (ODBC)

    iSCSI Initiator

    Local Security Policy

    Print Management

    Windows PowerShell Modules

Working with Computer Management

    Creating and Formatting a New Partition

    Using Disk Management to Create a VHD

Event Viewer

    Opening Event Viewer and Viewing all Error Events Recorded

    Scheduling an Email to be Sent to You in Response to an Event

    Services

    Stopping and Restarting the Print Spooler Service

    Setting Up Recovery Actions to Take Place When a Service Fails

System Configuration As a Troubleshooting Tool

    Speed Up Windows Startup by Removing Startup Items

    General

    Boot

    Services

    Startup

    Tools

Task Scheduler

    Scheduling Backup and Restore to Launch Every Monday

    Connecting to a Remote Computer to Create a Task

Windows Memory Diagnostic

    Starting the Memory Diagnostic Tool with Advanced Options

 

Index

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 2 and Index)

 
Best Value

Book + eBook Bundle + Web  $60.97  $26.99

Book Price: $19.99
eBook Price: $7.00
About Web Edition
eBook formats included

Buy

This book includes free shipping!

Book + Web  $40.98  $19.99

Usually ships in 24 hours.
About Web Edition

Buy

This book includes free shipping!

eBook + Web  $35.98  $15.99

Includes EPUB, MOBI, and PDF
About eBook formats
About Web Edition

This eBook includes the following formats, accessible from your Account page after purchase:

ePubEPUBThe open industry format known for its reflowable content and usability on supported mobile devices.

MOBIMOBIThe eBook format compatible with the Amazon Kindle and Amazon Kindle applications.

Adobe ReaderPDFThe popular standard, used most often with the free Adobe® Reader® software.

This eBook requires no passwords or activation to read. We customize your eBook by discretely watermarking it with your name, making it uniquely yours.

Buy
Buy

Web Editions  $15.99

About Web Edition

The Web Edition of every USING book is powered by Safari Books Online, allowing you to access video tutorials and valuable audio sidebars. Plus, you can search the contents of the book, highlight text and attach a note to that text, print your notes and highlights in a custom summary, and cut and paste directly from Safari Books Online.

Purchase Reward: One Month Free Subscription
By completing any purchase on Que, you become eligible for an unlimited access one-month subscription to Safari Books Online.

Get access to thousands of books and training videos about technology, professional development and digital media from more than 40 leading publishers, including Addison-Wesley, Prentice Hall, Cisco Press, IBM Press, O'Reilly Media, Wrox, Apress, and many more. If you continue your subscription after your 30-day trial, you can receive 30% off a monthly subscription to the Safari Library for up to 12 months. That's a total savings of $199.