My Windows 8.1 Computer for Seniors

Michael Miller is a prolific and popular author of non-fiction books, known for his ability to explain complex topics to everyday readers. He writes about a variety of topics, including technology, social networking, business, and music. Mr. Miller has written more than 150 books over the past two decades, as well as a variety of online and print articles. His best-selling books for Que include My Facebook for Seniors, Facebook for Grown-Ups, Easy Facebook, Easy Computer Basics, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, and My Pinterest. Collectively, his books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. Find out more at the author’s website: www.molehillgroup.com Follow the author on Twitter: molehillgroup

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