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Computer Basics Windows 10 Edition Absolute Beginner s Guide Michael Miller 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
Computer Basics Absolute Beginner s Guide, Windows 10 Edition Copyright 2016 by Pearson Education All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5451-6 ISBN-10: 0-7897-5451-7 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015945278 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: August 2015 Associate Publisher Greg Wiegand Acquisitions Editor Michelle Newcomb Development Editor William Abner Managing Editor Kristy Hart Project Editor Andy Beaster Technical Editor Vince Averello Copy Editor San Dee Phillips Indexer Cheryl Lenser Proofreader Katie Matejka Publishing Coordinator Cindy Teeters Compositor Studio Galou
Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Que Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark. Warning and Disclaimer Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an as is basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book. Special Sales For information about buying this title in bulk quantities, or for special sales opportunities (which may include electronic versions; custom cover designs; and content particular to your business, training goals, marketing focus, or branding interests), please contact our corporate sales department at corpsales@pearsoned.com or (800) 382-3419. For government sales inquiries, please contact governmentsales@pearsoned.com. For questions about sales outside the U.S., please contact international@pearsoned.com.
Contents at a Glance Introduction Part I: Understanding Computers 1 How Personal Computers Work 2 Setting Up and Using a Notebook Computer 3 Setting Up and Using a Desktop Computer Part II: Using Windows 4 Getting to Know Windows 10 for New Computer Users 5 Getting to Know Windows 10 If You ve Used Windows Before 6 Using Windows 10 on a Touchscreen Device 7 Working with Files, Folders, and Online Storage 8 Personalizing Windows Part III: Setting Up the Rest of Your System 9 Connecting Other Devices to Your PC and Your PC to Other Devices 10 Adding Storage and Backup 11 Setting Up a Home Network Part IV: Using the Internet 12 Connecting to the Internet at Home and Away 13 Browsing and Searching the Web 14 Shopping and Selling Online Part V: Communicating Online 15 Sending and Receiving Email 16 Social Networking with Facebook and Other Social Media 17 Video Chatting with Friends and Family Part VI: Working with Software Programs 18 Using Applications on the Desktop 19 Finding and Installing New Apps Part VII: Doing Fun and Useful Stuff with your PC 20 Doing Office Work 21 Staying Organized 22 Viewing and Sharing Digital Photos
23 Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos 24 Playing Music Part VIII: Keeping Your System Up and Running 25 Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, and Spam 26 Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems Index
Table of Contents Introduction How This Book Is Organized Which Version of Windows? Conventions Used in This Book Menu Commands Shortcut Key Combinations Web Page Addresses Special Elements There s More Online Chapter 1 How Personal Computers Work What Your Computer Can Do Good for Getting Online Good for Social Networking Good for Communicating Good for Sharing Photos and Home Movies Good for Keeping in Touch Good for Entertainment Good for Keeping Informed Good for Work Good for Play Inside a Personal Computer The Motherboard: Home to Almost Everything Microprocessors: The Main Engine Computer Memory: Temporary Storage Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage Solid-State Drives: Faster Long-Term Storage CD/DVD Drives: Storage on a Disc Keyboards: Fingertip Input Mice and Touchpads: Point-and-Click Input Devices Network Connections: Getting Connected
Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture Other Parts of Your Computer System Providing Additional Functionality with Peripherals Doing What You Need to Do with Software and Apps Making Everything Work with Windows Different Types of Computers Desktop PCs Notebook PCs Tablet PCs Hybrid PCs Which Type of PC Should You Choose? Don t Worry, You Can t Screw It Up Much Chapter 2 Setting Up and Using a Notebook Computer Understanding Notebook PCs Connecting Peripherals and Powering On Getting Connected Powering On for the First Time Chapter 3 Setting Up and Using a Desktop Computer Understanding the Components of a Desktop Computer System Before You Get Started Connecting a Traditional Desktop PC Connect in Order Connect by Color Connecting an All-in-One Desktop Turning It On and Setting It Up Getting the Right Order Powering On for the First Time Chapter 4 Getting to Know Windows 10 for New Computer Users Introducing Microsoft Windows Starting and Logging In to Windows Getting to Know the Windows Desktop
Learning Basic Operations Pointing and Clicking Double-Clicking Right-Clicking Dragging and Dropping Mouse Over Moving and Resizing Windows Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing Windows Scrolling Through a Window Peeking at the Desktop Using Dialog Boxes, Tabs, and Buttons Using the Start Menu Navigating the Start Menu Launching a Program Reopening Recent Documents Using the Taskbar Deciphering Taskbar Icons Opening Applications and Switching Between Windows Using Jump Lists Managing Taskbar Buttons Switching Between Programs Learning Important Windows Shortcuts Shutting Down Windows and Your Computer Chapter 5 Getting to Know Windows 10 If You ve Used Windows Before A Short History of Windows Early Windows Windows Goes Mainstream Starting It Up with Windows 95 Windows XP, Vista, and 7 Then Came Windows 8 Introducing Windows 10 Windows 10 for Windows 8/8.1 Users
Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users Windows 10 for Windows XP Users The Most Important New Features of Windows 10 Back to the Desktop (Goodbye, Start Screen) The Start Menu Returns Better Than Ever Modern Apps in Desktop Windows More New Stuff Chapter 6 Using Windows 10 on a Touchscreen Device Understanding Windows 10 s Tablet Mode Using Tablet Mode Scrolling Through the Tiles Opening a Tile Finding Additional Apps in the All Apps List Using Windows 10 with a Touchscreen Display Tapping Pressing and Holding Swiping Panning Zooming Rotating Other Important Touch Operations Chapter 7 Working with Files, Folders, and Online Storage Understanding Files and Folders Using File Explorer Launching File Explorer Exploring the File Explorer Window Working with Ribbons and Tabs Navigating the Folders on Your PC Viewing Files and Folders Changing the Way Files Display Sorting Files and Folders Grouping Files and Folders
Searching for Files Performing Basic File and Folder Operations Creating New Folders Renaming Files and Folders Copying Files Moving Files Deleting Files Working with the Recycle Bin Restoring Deleted Files Managing the Recycle Bin Working with Compressed Folders Compressing a File Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder Copying Files to Another Computer Copying Files over a Network Copying Files with a Portable Drive Copying Files via Email Working with Cloud-Based Storage Accessing OneDrive from File Explorer Using Microsoft OneDrive Syncing Files on Your PC to OneDrive Evaluating Other Online Storage Services Chapter 8 Personalizing Windows Personalizing the Windows Desktop Changing the Desktop Background Changing the Accent Color Choosing a Windows Theme Customizing the Taskbar Customizing the Start Menu Personalizing the Lock Screen Changing the Lock Screen Background Displaying a Slide Show on the Lock Screen
Adding Apps to the Lock Screen Changing Your Account Picture Setting Up Additional User Accounts Setting Up a New Family Member Setting Up Other Users Switching Users Logging Out Logging In with Multiple Users Configuring Other Windows Settings Configuring Settings with the Settings Tool Configuring Settings from the Traditional Control Panel Chapter 9 Connecting Other Devices to Your PC and Your PC to Other Devices Getting to Know the Most Popular Peripherals Adding New Hardware to Your System Connecting and Using a Printer Understanding Different Types of Printers Connecting a Printer to Your Computer Connecting a Printer to Your Network Printing to Your System s Printer Connecting Portable Devices to Your PC Connecting Your PC to Your Living Room TV Chapter 10 Adding Storage and Backup Understanding External Storage Connecting an External Hard Drive Backing Up Your Important Files Backing Up to an External Hard Drive Using Windows File History Utility Backing Up Online Chapter 11 Setting Up a Home Network How Networks Work Wired Networks Wireless Networks
Connecting and Configuring Setting Up a Wireless Network in Your Home How It Works What You Need Making the Connections Connecting Your Computer to Your New Network Connecting via Ethernet Connecting Wirelessly Connecting Computers in a Homegroup Creating a New Homegroup Connect to an Existing Homegroup Accessing Computers on Your Network Accessing Homegroup Computers Accessing Other Computers on Your Network Chapter 12 Connecting to the Internet at Home and Away Different Types of Connections in the Home Broadband DSL Broadband Cable Fiber Broadband Broadband Satellite Sharing an Internet Connection Connecting to a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Chapter 13 Browsing and Searching the Web Understanding the Web Using Microsoft Edge Browsing the Web with Edge Revisiting History Opening Multiple Pages in Tabs Saving Your Favorite Pages Returning to a Favorite Page Displaying the Favorites Bar Displaying a Page in Reading View
Browsing in Private Setting a Different Start Page Using Google Chrome Searching the Web with Google Understanding Web Search Using Google Search Constructing a Query Performing an Advanced Search Searching for Images Using Wikipedia for Research Understanding Wikipedia Searching Wikipedia Reading Wikipedia Articles Searching and More with Cortana Search Cortana from the Taskbar Search Cortana from Microsoft Edge Search Cortana by Voice View News and Other Information Set a Reminder Chapter 14 Shopping and Selling Online How to Shop Online Step 1: Find an Online Store Step 2: Find a Product Step 3: Examine the Product Step 4: Order the Product Step 5: Check Out Step 6: Confirm the Order How to Shop Safely Buying and Selling on ebay How Does an ebay Auction Work? Buying Fixed-Price Items Protecting Yourself Against Fraudulent Sellers
ebay Selling, Step-by-Step Buying and Selling on Craigslist Understanding Online Classifieds Browsing the Listings Buying on Craigslist Listing an Item for Sale Making the Sale Chapter 15 Sending and Receiving Email How Email Works POP/IMAP Email Versus Web Mail POP/IMAP Email Web Mail Using Gmail Navigating Gmail Reading Messages Viewing Conversations Replying to a Message Composing a New Message Sending and Receiving Photos and Other Files Using the Windows 10 Mail App Checking Your Inbox Sending New Messages Adding Another Email Account Chapter 16 Social Networking with Facebook and Other Social Media Using Facebook Signing Up and Signing In with the Facebook App Getting to Know Facebook Finding Friends Searching for Friends Viewing a Friend s Timeline Page Posting Status Updates Determine Who Can or Can t See a Status Update
Viewing Friends Updates in Your News Feed Uploading Photos to Facebook Viewing Photos Managing Your Privacy on Facebook Using Pinterest What Pinterest Is and What It Does Navigating the Pinterest Site Viewing Boards and Pins Following Other Users Pinning Items Repinning Existing Items Creating New Board Using LinkedIn Personalizing Your Profile Finding New Connections Contacting Other LinkedIn Members Using Twitter Joining Twitter Navigating Twitter Tweeting with Twitter Following Other Users Customizing Your Profile Using Social Networks Smartly and Safely Protecting Your Children Protecting Yourself Chapter 17 Video Chatting with Friends and Family Video Chatting with Skype Adding Contacts Making a Video Call Video Chatting in Facebook Video Chatting in Google Hangouts Chapter 18 Using Applications on the Desktop
Managing Applications in Windows 10 Finding Installed Apps Pinning Apps to the Start Menu Pinning Apps to the Taskbar Adding App Shortcuts to the Desktop Working with Applications Using Menus Using Toolbars and Ribbons Closing an Open App Working with Universal Apps Exploring Windows 10 s Built-In Apps and Utilities Exploring Windows 10 s Universal Apps Weather Maps News Sports Money Alarms & Clock Chapter 19 Finding and Installing New Apps Finding and Installing Apps from the Windows Store Opening the Windows Store Browsing the Windows Store Searching the Windows Store Downloading an App Finding and Installing Apps from Your Local Retailer Finding and Installing Apps Online Understanding Cloud Computing Apps Chapter 20 Doing Office Work Getting to Know Microsoft Office Using Office on the Desktop Using Office Online Which Version of Office Should You Use?
Word Processing with Microsoft Word Online Exploring the Word Workspace Working with Documents Entering Text Editing Text Formatting Text Checking Spelling and Grammar Printing Your Document Number Crunching with Microsoft Excel Exploring the Excel Workspace Entering Data Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns Adjusting Column Width Calculating with Formulas Including Other Cells in a Formula Quick Addition with AutoSum Using Functions Formatting Your Spreadsheet Creating a Chart Giving Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint Exploring the PowerPoint Workspace Applying a Theme Inserting New Slides Adding and Formatting Text Start the Show! Exploring Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides Using Google Docs Using Google Sheets Using Google Slides Chapter 21 Staying Organized Using the Windows Calendar App Displaying Different Views
Creating a New Appointment Using Web-Based Calendars Using Web-Based To-Do Lists Chapter 22 Viewing and Sharing Digital Photos Transferring Pictures from Your Camera, Smartphone, or Tablet Connecting via USB Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card Transferring Photos from a Smartphone or Tablet Scanning a Picture Viewing Your Photos with the Windows 10 Photos App Editing Your Photos with the Photos App Automatically Enhancing a Photo Rotating a Photo Cropping a Photo Removing Red-Eye Retouching a Photo Applying Filters Adjusting Brightness and Contrast Adjusting Color and Tint Applying Special Effects Using Other Photo-Editing Programs Printing Your Photos Choosing the Right Printer and Paper Making the Print Printing Photos Professionally Sharing Photos at an Online Photo Site Emailing Digital Photos Chapter 23 Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos Watching Streaming Video Online Viewing Movies and TV Shows on Netflix Viewing TV Shows on Hulu Viewing Videos on Network Websites
Downloading Videos from the itunes Store Viewing Videos on YouTube Searching for Videos Viewing Videos Sharing Videos Uploading Your Own Videos to YouTube Making Your Own Home Movies Playing DVD Movies on Your PC Watching Online Videos on Your Living Room TV Chapter 24 Playing Music Listening to Streaming Music Online Listening to Spotify and Other On-Demand Streaming Services Listening to Pandora and Other Personalized Playlist Services Listening to Traditional Radio Stations Online Purchasing and Downloading Digital Music Purchasing Music from the itunes Store Purchasing Music from the Amazon Digital Music Store Purchasing Music from Google Play Music Playing Digital Music on Your PC Playing Music with the itunes App Playing Music with the Groove Music App Playing Music with Windows Media Player Listening to CDs on Your PC Playing a CD Ripping a CD to Your PC Burning Your Own CDs Chapter 25 Protecting Your PC from Computer Attacks, Malware, and Spam Safeguarding Your System from Computer Viruses Watching for Signs of Infection Catching a Virus Practicing Safe Computing Disinfecting Your System with Antivirus Software
Hunting Down Spyware Defending Against Computer Attacks Using the Windows Firewall Using Third-Party Firewall Software Fighting Email Spam Protecting Your Email Address Blocking Spammers in Your Email Programs Resisting Phishing Scams Shielding Your Children from Inappropriate Content Using Content-Filtering Software Encouraging Safe Computing Chapter 26 Performing Preventive Maintenance and Dealing with Common Problems Maintaining Your Computer Cleaning Up Unused Files Removing Unused Programs Performing a Hard Disk Checkup with ScanDisk Keeping Your Hardware in Tip-Top Condition System Unit Keyboard Display Printer Maintaining a Notebook PC Using the Windows Mobility Center Conserving Battery Life Securing Your Notebook Troubleshooting Computer Problems Troubleshooting in Safe Mode Reacting When Windows Freezes or Crashes What Causes Windows to Freeze? Dealing with Frozen Windows Dealing with a Frozen Program Dealing with a Major Crash