Windows 8


By Joli Ballew
February 2013
Pearson Education
Distrubuted by Trans-Atlantic Publications Inc.
ISBN: 9780273784319
269 pages, Illustrated
$37.50 Paper Original

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Top Ten Windows 8 Tips

1. Create a Log On PIN

2. Access the Charms

3. Connect to a free, Wi-Fi hotspot

4. Add Tiles to or Remove Tiles from the Start Screen

5. Learn Touch Techniques

6. Use File History

7. Connect Social Accounts in the Photos App

8. Play a Song

9. Use ReadyBoost to Improve Performance

10. Share Data with Public Folders

1 – Get to Know Windows 8

• Know Your Device
• Understand New Windows 8 Terms
• Understand your Account Options
• Log In to Windows 8
• Explore the Start Screen
• Access Charms
• Explore Charms
• Access the Traditional Desktop
• Open File Explorer
• Explore Touch Techniques
• Shut Down Windows

2 - Personalize Windows 8

• Create a PIN
• Change the Picture on the Lock Screen
• Choose Lock Screen Apps
• Personalize the Start Screen Background
• Reposition Apps on the Start Screen
• Make App Tiles Larger or Smaller
• Turn Live Tiles Off or On
• Add a Tile to the Start Screen
• Remove a Tile from the Start Screen
• Personalize the Desktop
• Create a Shortcut for a Folder or Library on the Desktop
• Create a Shortcut for a Program, Accessory, System Tool and More
• Add an Item to the Taskbar
• Add and Configure a Desktop Gadget
• Chose Which Desktop Icons Appear

3 - Use the Basic Apps

• Know Why You Need a Microsoft Account
• Switch to a Microsoft Account
• View Your Local Weather
• Search for a Location with Maps
• Read Travel Articles
• Get the Latest Sports News and Follow a Team
• View Your Personal Calendar
• Create a New Event in Calendar
• Explore Your Sky Drive Space
• Upload a File to Sky Drive
• Obtain a New App from the Store
• Open and Use a New App
• Move among Open Apps

4 - Use Internet Explorer

• Understand the Versions of IE
• Explore the Internet Explorer App
• Visit a Website
• Manage Tabs with the Hidden Toolbar
• Pin a Website to the Start Screen
• Explore Settings
• Explore the Internet Explorer Desktop App
• Use Tabs
• Set a home page
• Mark a favourite
• Zoom In or Out
• Print a Web Page
• Clear History
• Stay Safe on the Internet
• Configure the IE Desktop App as the Default

5 - Set up and Use Mail – Note to Editor this chapter’s contents is still TBC

• Access E-Mail
• Set up an E-Mail Account
• Read E-Mail
• Compose and send a new email
• Reply to or Forward an email
• Print an email
• Attach Something to an E-Mail
• View an Attachment in an E-Mail
• View Junk E-Mail
• Delete e-mail in a folder
• Add a contact

6 - View, Navigate, and Share Photos

• Navigate Photos
• View a Photo
• Import Pictures from an External Source
• Play a Slide Show of Photos
• Delete Photos
• Use a Photo on the Lock Screen
• Connect Social Accounts
• Access Your Pictures Library on the Desktop
• Explore the File Explorer Ribbon
• Rotate a Photo
• View Pictures with the Windows Photo Viewer
• Print a Photo
• Email a Photo
• Sort Photos
• Explore Editing Options

7 - View, Manage, and Listen to Music and Media

• Navigate Music
• Play a Song
• Navigate Videos and Watch a Video
• Open Media Player and Locate Music
• Play a Song in Media Player
• Copy a CD to your Computer
• Copy Music Files to a CD
• Explore Other Media
• Set Up Media Streaming
• Get Windows Media Center
• Set Up Media Center
• Navigate Media Center
• Play a DVD with Media Center
• Explore Internet TV

8 - Stay in Touch with Others

• Navigate Messaging
• Add Social Networking Information
• Invite a Friend
• Write a Message
• Respond to a Message
• Navigate People
• Add a Contact Manually
• Add Social Network User Information
• Update your Status
• View Others’ Updates
• Add Shortcuts on the Start Screen
• Get More Social Networking Apps

9 - Install hardware and software

• Install a digital camera, webcam, or smartphone
• Install hardware that has a CD
• Add a device manually
• Locate a driver
• Download and install a driver
• Use ReadyBoost
• Install software
• Use Program Compatibility Mode
• Resolve problems with the Action Center

10 - Use Desktop Applications

• Search for a program from the Start screen
• Write a letter with Notepad
• Save a letter with Notepad
• Print a letter with Notepad
• Use the calculator
• Take a screenshot
• Email a screenshot
• Record a sound clip
• Explore other Desktop apps

11 - Work with Files and Folders

• Explore your Libraries
• Explore your personal folders
• Create a Folder or Subfolder
• Copy or Move a File or Folder
• Delete a File or Folder
• Search for a File
• Browse for a file
• Change the Size of an Open Window
• Use Snap, Peek, and Shake
• Set Folder Options for All Windows
• Explore Windows Views
• Share Data Using Public Folders
• Back up data to an external disk

12 - Use Public and Private Networks

• Join a private Network
• Connect to a Free Wireless Hot Spot
• Change the Network type
• Set up a HomeGroup
• Locate the HomeGroup Password
• Create New Users
• Require a Password
• Use Public Folders for Sharing
• Share a Personal Folder
• Share a Printer
• Diagnose Connection Problems

13 - Secure Windows 8

• Install Anti-Virus Software
• Verify Security Settings in Internet Explorer
• Configure Windows Update
• Use Windows Defender
• Enable the Firewall
• Heed Action Center Warnings
• Use File History
• Verify User Accounts
• Configure a password protected screen saver

14 - Fix Problems

• Change AutoPlay Settings
• Change Power Settings
• Fix Driver Problems
• Use Disk Cleanup
• Uninstall Troublesome Apps
• Uninstall Problematic Programs
• Disable Unwanted Startup Programs
• Refresh Your PC
• Reset Your PC and Start Over

Top Ten Windows 8 Problems Solved

1. I can’t figure out how to shut down my computer.

2. I don’t understand why I can use apps sometimes and Desktop apps other times

3. The app tiles on the Start screen are flipping all the time and making me crazy! Can I disable this?

4. I can’t access get apps from the Windows Store

5. I am not getting all of my email in the Mail app. Why?

6. My computer’s display keeps turning off and the computer goes to sleep too soon.

7. I have an old software program I’d like to use, but it doesn’t work in Windows 8.

8. Where is all of my data? It’s not on the Start screen.

9. Windows thinks my home network is a public network and not a private one. What can I do?

10. I can’t connect to the Internet.

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