Windows 8.1 Plain & Simple

Nancy C. Muir is the author of more than 50 technology books, including several bestsellers on Office PowerPoint. She has worked as a trainer and university instructor, and she has a certificate in distance learning design.

Joli Ballew is a Microsoft MVP (Windows Expert-Consumer), MCSE, MCTS (Project 2007 and Windows 7 Configuring), and MCDST. She is a professional writer, technology trainer, and network consultant. She has written or co-authored nearly 40 books, including Windows 8 Step by Step.

Chapter 1 About this book
A quick overview
A few assumptions
What’s new in Windows 8.1?
The final word
Chapter 2 Meet the Windows 8.1 interface
Starting Windows 8.1
Exploring the Start screen
Accessing Apps view
Understanding tiles
Using charms
Overview of the desktop
Using the Start button
Overview of File Explorer
Booting to the Apps view
Booting to the desktop
Switching from a local to a Microsoft Live account
Chapter 3 Providing input
Understanding input options
Overview of touchscreen gestures
Swiping edges
Zooming in and out of the display
Snapping apps
Using a touchscreen keyboard
Displaying charms
Using keystroke shortcuts
Right-clicking and the long tap
Finding recently viewed apps
Chapter 4 Managing a computing session
Exploring the Settings charm
Controlling volume
Adjusting brightness
Changing the time and date
Managing power
Displaying a touch keyboard
Connecting to a network
Chapter 5 Customizing the appearance of Windows
Customizing the Start screen
Modifying tiles on the Start screen
Personalizing the lock screen background
Setting up lock screen apps
Modifying the account picture
Putting shortcuts on the desktop
Choosing a desktop theme
Changing the desktop background
Adjusting screen resolution
Chapter 6 Searching for anything
Searching from the Start screen
Searching for files
Searching for web images
Using the Search charm
Locating Windows settings using Search
Customizing Search
Searching inside an app
Chapter 7 Using the Maps app
Opening and navigating the Maps app
Choosing a map style
Searching for locations
Displaying information about a location
Showing traffic on maps
Getting directions
Adding a pin
Marking a favorite
Chapter 8 Going online with Internet Explorer 11
Exploring the Internet Explorer 11 app
Navigating among websites
Searching on a page
Searching with Suggestions
Creating tabs
Clearing your history
Marking and accessing a favorite
Pinning a site to the Start screen
Starting a new InPrivate session
Switching to the Internet Explorer desktop app
Overview of the Internet Explorer desktop app
Chapter 9 Using Calendar and People
Displaying calendar views
Adding a calendar event
Using reminders
Inviting people to an event
Editing an existing event
Deleting an event
Adding additional calendars
Working with additional calendars
Exploring the People app
Incorporating online accounts
Adding a new contact
Communicating with a contact
Culling and sorting contacts
Viewing What’s New
Chapter 10 Using Mail and Skype
Setting up an email account
Opening your email inbox(es)
Reading and replying to messages
Forwarding a message
Formatting text in a message
Opening attachments
Creating and sending a new message
Adding attachments
Moving messages to folders
Setting up Skype
Adding a contact
Saving a phone number
Messaging with Skype
Making a phone call with Skype
Initiating a Skype video call
Chapter 11 Buying apps at the Windows Store
Searching for apps
Exploring search options
Reading app reviews
Installing free apps
Viewing your apps in the Windows Store
Buying an app
Rating and reviewing an app
Configuring Windows Store preferences
Chapter 12 Playing music
Navigating the Music app
Listening to music
Searching for music
Creating a playlist in the Music app
Listening to radio
Finding music to purchase by browsing
Finding music to purchase by searching
Buying music
Configuring music in the cloud
Playing music with Windows Media Player
Sorting and viewing music
Creating playlists
Ripping music you own
Burning music to a CD
Chapter 13 Viewing pictures and video
Displaying pictures
Searching for pictures
Creating folders for your pictures
Moving pictures to new folders
Setting a picture on the Photos tile or lock screen
Cropping a picture
Editing a picture
Playing a slide show
Exploring the Video app
Playing a personal video
Buying or renting a video
Using the camera
Chapter 14 Working with desktop apps
Opening and closing desktop apps
Using menus
Using ribbons
Formatting text
Using the Clipboard
Inserting objects
Printing a document
Saving a file
Exploring other desktop apps
Chapter 15 Working with devices and networks
Adding a device
Troubleshooting device installations
Connecting to a Bluetooth device
Connecting to a private network
Sharing with a homegroup
Troubleshooting network connectivity
Connecting to a public network
Changing network settings
Using Airplane Mode
Chapter 16 Working with users and privacy
Enabling Windows Firewall
Allowing apps to access your personal information or location
Using Windows Defender
Creating new users
Creating a picture password
Creating a PIN
Switching among user accounts
Managing User Account Control settings
Turning on Family Safety
Working with Family Safety settings
Chapter 17 Sharing settings and files in the cloud
Choosing settings to sync to SkyDrive
Choosing files to save to SkyDrive
Saving files to SkyDrive
Creating a new folder in SkyDrive
Adding files to a folder
Sharing a folder
Managing SkyDrive storage
Creating a folder and adding data to it from the SkyDrive app
Chapter 18 Managing data
Using the File Explorer ribbon
Navigating File Explorer
Locating files with File Explorer
Changing views in File Explorer
Creating folders
Renaming files and folders
Moving and copying files
Creating and extracting compressed files
Sharing content
Using File History
Backing up data manually
Deleting files and folders
Working with the Recycle Bin
Chapter 19 Working with Accessibility settings
Switching from a right-handed to left-handed mouse
Adjusting double-click speed and indicator motion
Adjusting keyboard settings
Enabling High Contrast
Letting Windows suggest Ease of Access settings
Using Magnifier
Using Narrator
Working with speech recognition
Chapter 20 Maintaining and troubleshooting your computer
Creating a recovery drive
Using ReadyBoost
Configuring Windows Update
Exploring the Action Center
Running Disk Cleanup
Restarting your computer
Using troubleshooting wizards
Using Microsoft Fix It
Asking for Windows Remote Assistance
Troubleshooting with Windows Task Manager
Using Advanced Startup
Refreshing your PC
Resetting your PC
Chapter 21 Upgrading to Windows 8.1
Upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1
View basic information about your computer
Using the Upgrade Assistant
Using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Updating drivers
Chapter 22 Getting help
Using the Help + Tips app
Getting support at the Microsoft Support website
Using desktop help
Accessing specific desktop help

Appendix Windows 8.1 keyboard shortcuts
Editing shortcuts
File Explorer shortcuts
Accessibility shortcuts
Desktop shortcuts
Dialog box keyboard commands
Glossary