My Windows 8

After writing about technology for 25 years, Katherine Murray believes there’s never been a better time to be a tech enthusiast. With the advent of Windows 8, technology is more connected and more integrated with our daily lives than ever before. She’s worked with every version of Microsoft Windows released, marveling with the masses at Windows 3.1, swearing at Windows ME, enjoying Windows XP, and threatening to throw her computer off the roof, thanks to Windows Vista. Windows 7 was her favorite version of the operating system, followed in a close second place by Windows XP. But now with Windows 8, she feels Microsoft is in sync with the times, offering a fast, fluid, and secure option for connecting with others, enjoying media, saving to the cloud, and integrating our work across multiple devices. She started writing about technology 25 years ago and still enjoys it, specializing in Microsoft Office technologies and the fascinating ways in which we stay in touch with each other through cloud technology, blogging, social media, and more. You’ll find Katherine’s blog, BlogOffice, at www.murrayblogoffice.blogspot.com. In addition to writing books, she writes regularly for CNET’s TechRepublic and Windows Secrets.

About the Author   ix

Dedication   x

Acknowledgments   x

We Want to Hear from You!    xi

Reader Services   xi

Introduction   1

Versions of Windows 8   2

Highlights of Windows 8   3

What You’ll Find in This Book   5

Let’s Begin   7

Chapter 1: Wow, Windows 8!    9

Exploring Windows 8  10

Touring the Start Screen   10

Using Touch in Windows 8   13

Getting Around with the Mouse and Keyboard   18

Using the Mouse   18

Using the (Real) Keyboard   22

Shutting Down or Putting Windows 8 to Sleep   27

Finding the Help You Need     29

Chapter 2: Preparing Your Windows 8 PC and Devices   35

Adding Devices in Windows 8   36

Connecting to Wireless Networks   43

Managing Your PC Power   46

Transferring Files   49

Refreshing Your PC or Reinstalling Windows 8   53

Chapter 3: Beginning with the Start Screen   59

Exploring the Start Screen   60

Understanding Windows 8 Charms   64

Changing the Way Tiles Look and Behave   66

Moving, Grouping, and Removing Apps   71

Searching in Windows 8   75

Chapter 4: Working with the Windows 8 Desktop   81

Moving Between the Desktop and the Start Screen   82

Getting Ready to Work with Programs   83

Tailoring the Taskbar   87

Working with Windows on the Windows Desktop   89

Window Basics   89

Chapter 5: Personalizing Windows 8   97

Personalizing Your Lock Screen   97

Adding Badges   103

Adjusting the Look of Windows 8   103

Changing Your Windows 8 Desktop   107

Tweaking Your Touch Experience   110

Adjusting the Mouse   111

Choosing Your Language   114

Chapter 6: Securing Your Windows 8 Computer   117

Customizing Your Login   118

Working with the Action Center   129

Using Windows Defender   134

Turning on Your Windows Firewall   136

Working with User Accounts   139

Maintaining Your Privacy   143

Chapter 7: Exploring Windows 8 Apps   147

Getting Started with Apps   148

Finding and Starting Apps   151

Working with Apps   154

Exploring a Program “Window”    155

Checking Out a Windows 8 App   156

Closing Apps   160

Getting New Apps from the Windows Store   162

Starting and Stopping a Program from the Desktop   165

Repairing and Uninstalling Programs   167

Chapter 8: Managing Files with File Explorer   173

Getting Started with File Explorer   174

Starting File Explorer   174

Exploring the Explorer Screen   175

Using the Ribbon   178

Working with Windows 8 Libraries   181

Managing Your Files and Folders   188

Copying, Moving, and Sharing Files and Folders   194

Chapter 9: Always Online with Internet Explorer 10   203

Introducing Internet Explorer 10   203

Starting Internet Explorer   205

A Look Around the Internet Explorer Window(s)    206

Browsing and Searching the Web--the Windows 8 Way   209

Navigating the Web   211

Searching for Information   216

Working with Tabs   220

Securing Your Browsing Experience   223

Chapter 10: Connect and Communicate with Windows 8   227

Getting Social with the People App   228

Staying in Touch Through Email   238

Checking Out the Mail Window   240

Keeping Your Dates Straight with the Calendar App   243

Messaging: When You Need Instant Contact   247

Chapter 11: Get Entertained with Windows 8 Photos, Music, Movies, and Xbox   253

Let There Be Photos!    253

Grooving to Your Tunes   260

Watching and Sharing Video in Windows 8   269

Games in Windows 8   273

Chapter 12: Connect with Other Computers, Devices, and the Cloud   279

Setting Up a Home Network   279

Gathering Your Equipment   280

Getting Started with a HomeGroup   283

Using Your HomeGroup   286

Saving Your Files to SkyDrive   289

Chapter 13: Windows 8 Care, Feeding, and Troubleshooting   293

Getting Windows 8 Updates   293

Backing Up and Restoring Your Files   298

Using System Tools   302

Compatibility with Windows 8   305

Appendix A: Windows 8 App Gallery   309

Appreciating Your Apps   310

Checking Out the Bing Apps   312

Finance App   313

Weather App   313

Maps App   314

News App   315

Sports App   316

Travel App   317

The Windows Store Revisited   319

Getting App Info   322

Installing Apps   324

The Windows 8 App Gallery   330

Allrecipes   330

ChaCha   331

Dictionary.com   332

HowStuffWorks   333

OneNote MX Preview   334

Paint 4 Kids   335

StumbleUpon   336

Wikipedia   337

Index     339