Surface For Dummies (eBook)

Andy Rathbone is the author of all previous editions of Windows For Dummies. He's also written books on PC operation and repair, home theater and entertainment technologies, and tablet computing. He maintains contact with his readers and answers questions at andyrathbone.com.

Contents at a Glance 7
Table of Contents 9
Introduction 15
About This Book 15
How to Use This Book 16
Foolish Assumptions 16
Icons Used in This Book 17
Beyond This Book 17
Where to Go from Here 18
Part I: Introductions 19
Chapter 1: Which Microsoft Surface Do You Need? 21
Why Buy a Microsoft Surface? 22
Understanding the Unique Features of a Surface 23
Deciding between the Microsoft Surface Tablets 24
Summing Up the Differences between the Versions 28
Identifying a Surface Model 31
Understanding Your Surface’s Storage Space 32
Chapter 2: Getting Started with Your Surface 35
The Grand Unboxing 35
Charging the Battery 38
Figuring Out What’s Included and What’s Missing 40
Identifying the Parts of Your Surface Tablet 41
Attaching the Keyboard 46
Positioning the Surface 47
Finding Microsoft Website Support for the Surface 47
Chapter 3: Setting Up Your Surface 49
Turning On Your Surface for the First Time 49
Downloading Software Updates 54
Activating Windows 57
Setting Up Your Free OneDrive and Skype Accounts 59
Setting Up User Accounts 59
Turning Off Your Surface 62
Chapter 4: Introducing Your Surface’s Start Screen and Controls 65
Unlocking and Signing In 65
Managing Windows’ Start Screen 67
Finding, Opening, Closing, and Switching between Apps 69
Understanding the Charms Bar 74
Organizing the Start Screen 81
Browsing Files from the Start Screen 85
Using the Start Screen with a Mouse and Keyboard 87
Chapter 5: Typing, Touching, and Drawing on the Surface 91
Controlling a Touchscreen with Your Fingers 92
Typing with the Click-On Covers 95
Typing on the Onscreen Keyboard 100
Typing on a Detachable Keyboard 109
Drawing and Writing with a Stylus 110
Part II: Connections 115
Chapter 6: Connecting to the Internet, Printers, Monitors, Storage, and More 117
Connecting to the Internet 118
Connecting to Networked PCs 123
Connecting to a Printer 126
Connecting to Portable Accessories 128
Connecting to a Monitor, an HDTV, or a Digital Projector 138
Adding Portable Storage 142
Connecting to the Cloud with OneDrive 146
Chapter 7: All About Apps 153
Making the Most of Apps 154
Working with Two Apps on One Screen 166
Installing Desktop Programs 169
Chapter 8: Browsing the Web 171
Opening Internet Explorer 172
Opening the Start Screen Browser’s Menus 174
Navigating a Website with Your Fingers 177
Visiting Websites 178
Managing Several Sites in Tabs 179
Making Sites Available with One Tap 180
Sharing Sites and Their Information 181
Downloading Files and Photos 182
Changing Settings 184
Sending a Site to the Desktop’s Browser 186
Chapter 9: Reaching Out with Mail, People, Calendar, and Skype 189
Adding Your Social Accounts to Windows 190
Sending and Receiving E-Mail 192
Managing Your Contacts in the People App 203
Managing Appointments in Calendar 208
Talking with Friends through Skype 210
Part III: Play 219
Chapter 10: Photos and Movies 221
Snapping Photos or Videos 221
Viewing Photos 225
Sharing or Printing Photos 228
Watching Movies 229
Chapter 11: Listening to Music 233
Understanding the Music App 233
Listing to Your Own Music 235
Listening to the Radio 242
Exploring and Buying Music 245
Part IV: Work 247
Chapter 12: Visiting the Windows Desktop 249
Making the Desktop Finger-Friendly 251
Mastering Basic Window Mechanics 253
Managing Files and Folders by Touch with File Explorer 253
Launching Desktop Programs 259
Snapping an App Alongside Another App 260
Chapter 13: Working in Microsoft Office 2013 265
Opening, Saving, and Printing in Office 2013 RT 266
Taking Notes with OneNote 275
Adding E-Mail Accounts to Outlook 277
Chapter 14: Changing Settings 281
Tweaking an App’s Settings 281
Customizing Your Surface through PC Settings 283
Chapter 15: Troubleshooting and Repair 293
Checking for New or Missed Updates 293
It Won’t Turn On! 295
It Won’t Turn Off! 297
Fixing Problem Apps 297
Backing Up Your Surface 298
Refreshing Your Surface 300
Resetting Your Surface 301
Servicing Your Surface through Microsoft 303
Part V: The Part of Tens 305
Chapter 16: Ten Essential Tips ’n’ Tricks 307
When Lost, Swipe in from the Screen’s Left Edge 307
Search for Items by Typing Directly on the Start Screen 308
Select Onscreen Items within Apps 309
Take Screenshots 309
Stop the Screen from Rotating 309
Tweak Your App’s Settings 310
Make a Recovery Drive 310
Find a Lost Start Screen App 310
Increase Your Surface’s Storage Space 311
Add Your Contact Information to Your Surface 312
Chapter 17: Ten Handy Accessories 313
Power Adapter 313
Touch or Type Cover Keyboard 314
Memory Card 315
Portable Mouse 315
Portable USB Hub 316
Case 317
Flash Drive 317
Portable HDMI Cable 318
USB-to-Ethernet Adapter 319
Portable Hard Drive 319
Portable Car Charger 319
Index 321
About the Author 333