Microsoft Windows XP: Visual Quickstart Guide

Table of contents

1. Copyright
   1. Dedication
2. Special thanks to...
3. Introduction
   1. What Windows XP Does
   2. The Two Versions of Windows XP
   3. What’s New in Windows XP
      1. Interface
      2. Files and folders
      3. Digital media
      4. Internet and communications
      5. Stability
      6. Networking and user accounts
      7. Installation and update
      8. Help and support
   4. If You’re Upgrading to Windows XP
   5. If You’re Switching Over from a Macintosh
   6. About This Book
      1. Conventions used in this book
      2. Corrections and comments
4. 1. Getting Started With Windows XP
   1. Logging on and Logging off Windows XP
      1. Logging on
         1. To use the Welcome screen:
      2. Switching users
         1. To switch users without logging off:
         2. To find out who else is logged on to your computer:
         3. To find out which programs other users are running:
      3. Locking your computer
         1. To lock your computer:
         2. To unlock your computer:
      4. Logging off
         1. To log off:
         2. To log someone else off your computer:
      5. Turning off your computer
         1. To turn off your computer:
   2. Exploring the Windows Interface
   3. The Mouse
      1. To point:
      2. To click:
      3. To double-click:
      4. To right-click:
      5. To drag:
   4. The Keyboard
      1. To use a keyboard shortcut:
      2. To Shift-click:
      3. To Shift-drag:
   5. Menus
      1. To choose a menu command:
      2. To choose a menu command with the keyboard:
      3. Shortcut menus
         1. To choose a shortcut-menu command:
         2. To choose a shortcut-menu command with the keyboard:
   6. Toolbars
   7. Icons
      1. To select an icon:
      2. To select multiple icons:
      3. To select all icons in a window:
      4. To deselect an icon:
      5. To move an icon:
      6. To open an icon:
   8. Windows
      1. Activating a window
         1. To activate a window:
      2. Resizing, moving, and closing windows
         1. To resize a window:
         2. To maximize a window:
         3. To minimize a window:
         4. To restore a window:
         5. To move a window:
         6. To close a window:
      3. Scrolling
         1. To scroll a window’s contents:
   9. Dialog Boxes
   10. Properties
       1. To display an item’s properties:
   11. Cutting, Copying, and Pasting
       1. To cut:
       2. To copy:
       3. To paste:
       4. To undo a cut or paste:
5. 2. The Start Menu and Taskbar
   1. Exploring the Start Menu
      1. To open the Start menu:
      2. Start menu left column
      3. Start menu right column
         1. To close the Start menu:
   2. Using the Start Menu
      1. To choose a Start-menu item:
      2. Adding items to the Start menu
         1. To pin an item to the Start menu:
         2. To move a pinned item:
         3. To remove an item:
         4. To configure the program lists:
      3. Modifying the All Programs menu
         1. To add an item to the All Programs menu:
         2. To delete an item:
         3. To move an item:
         4. To sort items alphabetically:
      4. Managing All Programs items with folders
         1. To add or delete All Programs items:
         2. To add a submenu:
   3. Customizing the Start Menu
      1. To rename a Start-menu item:
      2. To configure the Start menu:
   4. Exploring the Taskbar
   5. Managing Windows with the Taskbar
      1. To activate a window:
      2. To minimize all windows:
      3. To restore minimized windows:
      4. To arrange windows on your desktop:
   6. Configuring the Taskbar
      1. To configure the taskbar:
      2. To move the taskbar:
      3. To resize the taskbar:
   7. Using the Notification Area
      1. To show or hide the clock:
      2. To control icon display in the notification area:
   8. Adding Toolbars to the Taskbar
      1. To show or hide taskbar toolbars:
      2. To customize a taskbar toolbar:
      3. To add a button to Quick Launch:
      4. To delete a button from Quick Launch:
   9. Managing Shortcuts
      1. To create a shortcut:
      2. To display system-folder shortcuts on the desktop:
      3. To rename a shortcut:
      4. To delete a shortcut:
      5. To view or change a shortcut’s properties:
   10. Tidying Your Desktop
       1. To arrange desktop shortcuts:
       2. To remove unused shortcuts:
6. 3. Getting Help
   1. Starting Help and Support Center
      1. To start Help Center:
   2. Navigating in Help Center
      1. To navigate by clicking links:
      2. To navigate via the navigation bar:
   3. Searching for Help Topics
      1. To search for help topics:
   4. Customizing Help Center
      1. To set search options:
   5. Using the Help Index
      1. To use the Help index:
   6. Getting Help in Dialog Boxes
      1. To get pop-up help for a dialog-box element:
   7. Allowing Others to Connect to Your Computer Remotely
      1. To configure Remote Assistance:
      2. To get Remote Assistance by using Windows Messenger:
      3. To get Remote Assistance by using email:
   8. Getting Help From Microsoft
7. 4. Personalizing Your Work Environment
   1. Using Control Panel
      1. To open Control Panel:
      2. To open an item in category view:
      3. To open an item in classic view:
      4. To switch Control Panel views:
   2. Changing Your Desktop Background
      1. To change the desktop background:
   3. Displaying Web Content on Your Desktop
      1. To add a Web content item:
      2. To delete a Web content item:
      3. To modify Web content:
      4. To update Web content items:
      5. To display a Web content item’s properties:
      6. To change a Web content item’s update schedule:
   4. Choosing a Desktop Theme
      1. To choose a theme:
      2. To create a custom theme:
      3. To delete a custom theme:
   5. Setting a Screen Saver
      1. To set a screen saver:
      2. To use personal pictures as a screen saver:
   6. Configuring the Monitor
      1. To set screen resolution and color quality:
      2. To set the refresh rate:
      3. To manage color profiles:
   7. Configuring the Mouse
      1. To configure the mouse:
      2. To access the mouse’s device driver:
   8. Configuring the Keyboard
      1. To configure the keyboard:
      2. To access the keyboard’s device driver:
   9. Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
      1. To control sound volume:
      2. To control sound volume for individual devices:
      3. Sound output
         1. To configure speakers and headphones:
         2. To configure system sound effects:
         3. To configure audio and voice settings:
         4. To access an audio or video device’s driver:
   10. Changing the Date and Time
       1. To set the date and time:
   11. Localizing Your System
       1. To choose formats for numbers, currencies, times, and dates:
       2. To choose a keyboard layout for a different language:
       3. To specify the preferred language for older programs:
   12. Accommodating Disabled Users
       1. Accessibility Wizard
          1. To run the Accessibility Wizard:
       2. Accessibility Options
          1. To set accessibility options for vision-impaired users:
          2. To set accessibility options for hearing-impaired users:
          3. To set accessibility options for mobility-impaired users:
          4. To set general accessibility options:
       3. Magnifier
          1. To open and configure Magnifier:
       4. Narrator
          1. To open and configure Narrator:
       5. On-Screen Keyboard
          1. To open and configure On-Screen Keyboard:
       6. Utility Manager
          1. To open and configure Utility Manager:
   13. Configuring Speech Recognition and Translation
       1. To configure speech recognition:
       2. To configure text-to-speech translation:
   14. Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
       1. To open items with a single click:
   15. Conserving Power
       1. To choose a power scheme:
       2. To use the computer’s power button to stand by or hibernate:
       3. To set a warning alarm for a low- or critical-battery condition:
   16. Managing Fonts
       1. To open the Fonts folder:
       2. To view a font:
       3. To install a new font:
       4. To remove a font:
   17. Managing Visual Effects and Performance
       1. To turn off visual effects:
   18. Restoring the Look of Previous Windows Versions
       1. To switch to the classic Start menu:
       2. To switch to classic Control Panel view:
       3. To hide the task pane in folder windows:
       4. To browse folders by using a single window:
       5. To switch to the classic visual style for windows and buttons:
       6. To show My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places on the desktop:
       7. To use earlier versions of desktop icons:
   19. Getting General System Information
       1. To display general system information:
8. 5. Organizing Files and Folders
   1. Exploring Your Computer
      1. To see what’s on your computer:
      2. To open Windows Explorer:
      3. To open Windows Explorer with a specific folder selected:
      4. To navigate folders in Windows Explorer:
   2. Displaying Links to Common Tasks
      1. To show or hide the task pane:
   3. Displaying Summary Information
      1. To show or hide the status bar:
   4. Using Windows Explorer Toolbars
      1. To show or hide a toolbar:
      2. To move or resize a toolbar:
      3. To lock or unlock the toolbars:
      4. To customize the Standard Buttons toolbar:
   5. Viewing Files and Folders in Different Ways
      1. To change the view of a folder’s items:
   6. Changing the File Details Displayed
      1. To choose details to display:
   7. Sorting Icons
      1. To sort icons:
      2. To sort icons in Details view:
   8. Grouping Icons
      1. To group icons:
   9. Customizing a Folder
      1. To customize a folder:
   10. Setting Folder Options
       1. To set folder options:
   11. Creating Folders
       1. To create a folder:
   12. Naming Files and Folders
       1. To rename a file or folder:
   13. Moving and Copying Files and Folders
       1. To move or copy items by choosing a destination:
       2. To move or copy items by using cut, copy, and paste:
       3. To move or copy items by dragging:
   14. Sending Files and Folders
       1. To send an item:
       2. To add a destination to the Send To menu:
   15. Deleting Files and Folders
       1. To delete items:
       2. To empty the Recycle Bin:
       3. To restore items from the Recycle Bin:
       4. To change the Recycle Bin’s capacity:
   16. Compressing Files and Folders
       1. NTFS compression
          1. To NTFS-compress a file, folder, or drive:
       2. Zipped folders
          1. To create a new zipped folder:
          2. To create a new zipped folder from existing files or folders:
          3. To add files or folders to a zipped folder:
          4. To password-protect a zipped folder:
          5. To extract files and folders from a zipped folder:
   17. Searching for Files and Folders
       1. To open Search Companion:
       2. To search for a file or folder:
       3. To enable Indexing Service:
   18. Copying Files and Folders to CDs
       1. To copy files and folders to a CD:
   19. Making Network Files and Folders Available Offline
       1. To enable offline files:
       2. To make a file or folder available offline:
9. 6. Installing and Running Programs
   1. Installing Programs
      1. To install a program from CD or floppy disk:
      2. To download and install software:
   2. Removing Programs
      1. To remove a program:
   3. Adding and Removing Windows Components
      1. To add or remove Windows components:
   4. Launching Programs
      1. To start a program:
   5. Launching Programs Automatically
      1. To open an item each time you start Windows:
   6. Running Older Programs
      1. To run a troublesome older program:
   7. Switching Programs
      1. To switch between running programs:
   8. Exiting Programs
      1. To exit a program:
   9. Killing Unresponsive Programs
      1. To kill an unresponsive program:
   10. Reporting Errors to Microsoft
       1. To configure error reporting:
   11. Using the Free Utility Programs
       1. Address Book
       2. Calculator
       3. Character Map
       4. Command Prompt
       5. Games
       6. HyperTerminal
       7. Notepad
       8. Paint
       9. WordPad
       10. PowerToys
   12. Saving Documents
       1. To save a document:
   13. Opening Documents
       1. To open a document:
   14. Associating Documents with Programs
       1. To show file extensions:
       2. To change the program associated with a file extension:
10. 7. Printing and Faxing
    1. Installing a Printer
       1. To install a local printer:
    2. Sharing a Network Printer
       1. To share a printer:
       2. To use a shared printer:
    3. Setting Printer Properties
       1. To change a printer’s default settings:
    4. Printing Documents
       1. To print a document:
    5. Controlling Printouts
       1. To manage the print queue:
    6. Faxing
       1. To install Fax:
       2. To configure Fax:
       3. To send a fax:
       4. To receive a fax manually:
       5. To manage and view faxes:
       6. To control fax-transmission behavior:
11. 8. Setting up Hardware
    1. Installing Plug and Play Devices
    2. Connecting Devices to Your Computer
       1. External devices
          1. To connect an external device:
       2. Internal devices
          1. To connect an expansion card:
    3. Installing a New Device
       1. To install a new device:
       2. To install a device driver from an installation CD or floppy:
       3. To install a device driver downloaded from the Internet:
       4. To install a device driver from a specific location:
    4. Installing Non-Plug and Play Hardware
       1. To install a non-Plug and Play device:
    5. Managing Device Drivers
       1. To open Device Manager:
       2. To show a device’s properties:
       3. To update a device driver:
       4. To roll back a device driver:
       5. To uninstall a device:
       6. To disable a device:
    6. Using Hardware Profiles
       1. To create a hardware profile:
12. 9. Cameras and Scanners
    1. Transferring Photos to Your Computer
       1. To transfer photos to your computer:
       2. To transfer photos to your computer automatically:
    2. Viewing and Managing Photos
       1. To view photos as a filmstrip:
       2. To start a slide show:
       3. To rotate a photo:
       4. To zoom in or zoom out on a photo:
    3. Printing Photos
       1. To print photos:
    4. Ordering Prints Online
       1. To order prints via the Internet:
    5. Emailing Photos
       1. To email photos:
    6. Publishing Photos on the Web
       1. To post photos on the Web:
    7. Using Scanners
13. 10. Windows Media Player
    1. Getting Started with Media Player
       1. To start Media Player:
       2. To summon the Media Player menu bar:
    2. Playing Music CDs
       1. To play a music CD:
       2. To change the AutoPlay behavior of a CD or DVD drive:
    3. Customizing the Now Playing Area
       1. To show the Now Playing area:
       2. To show or hide Now Playing panes:
    4. Viewing Visualizations
       1. To view a visualization:
    5. Changing Player Appearance with Skins
       1. To apply a skin:
       2. To switch modes:
    6. Finding Digital Media on the Internet
       1. To find digital media on the Internet:
       2. To find digital media by using a subscription service:
       3. To remove a subscription service:
    7. Listening to Radio Stations
       1. To listen to an Internet radio station:
       2. To add a radio station to a preset list:
    8. Copying CDs to Your Hard Drive
       1. To adjust the default quality settings for copying CDs:
       2. To copy tracks from a music CD:
    9. Organizing Your Media Library
       1. To show Media Library:
       2. To add media files to Media Library:
    10. Working with Playlists
        1. To create a playlist:
        2. To create an auto playlist:
        3. To add an item to an existing playlist:
        4. To play a playlist:
    11. Burning Music CDs
        1. To burn a music CD:
    12. Playing DVDs
        1. To play a DVD:
14. 11. Windows Movie Maker
    1. Getting Started with Movie Maker
       1. To start Movie Maker:
    2. Capturing and Importing Content
       1. To capture video:
       2. To import existing pictures, sounds, and video:
    3. Organizing Your Clips
       1. To create a collection:
       2. To arrange clips:
    4. Creating a Project
       1. To create a new project:
       2. To view a project’s properties:
    5. Editing a Project
       1. To switch between storyboard and timeline view:
       2. To add a clip to a project:
       3. To preview a project or clip:
       4. To create a movie automatically:
    6. Editing Clips
       1. To split a clip:
       2. To combine a split clip:
       3. To trim a clip:
    7. Adding Visual Content
       1. To add a video transition:
       2. To add a video effect:
       3. To add a title or credit:
    8. Adding Audio Tracks
       1. To add audio:
       2. To narrate the timeline:
    9. Saving a Movie
       1. To save a movie to your computer:
15. 12. Connecting to the Internet
    1. Understanding Connection Types
    2. Creating a New Internet Account
       1. To create a new Internet account:
    3. Setting up an Existing Internet Account
       1. Dial-up connections
          1. To set up a dial-up connection:
       2. High-speed connections
          1. To set up a dynamic IP connection:
          2. To set up a static IP connection:
16. 13. Browsing the Web with Internet Explorer
    1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer
       1. To start Internet Explorer:
    2. Navigating the Web
       1. To visit a Web page by typing a URL:
       2. To visit a Web page via navigation buttons or links:
       3. To move around a Web page:
    3. Searching the Web
       1. To search the Web:
    4. Bookmarking Pages
       1. To add a page to your Favorites list:
       2. To add a page to your Links bar:
       3. To change your home page:
    5. Browsing Tips
17. 14. Outlook Express—Email and News
    1. Getting Started with Outlook Express
       1. To start Outlook Express:
    2. Setting up an Email Account
       1. To set up an email account:
    3. Sending Email
       1. To compose and send a message:
    4. Reading Email
       1. To check immediately for new messages:
       2. To read messages:
       3. To print a message:
       4. To delete a message:
       5. To reply to a message:
       6. To forward a message:
       7. To open an attachment:
       8. To save an attachment:
    5. Applying Message Rules
       1. To set up message rules:
    6. Configuring Outlook Express
    7. Using Newsgroups
       1. To set up and use a news account:
18. 15. Chatting Online with Windows Messenger
    1. Getting a .NET Passport
       1. To get a .NET Passport:
    2. Signing in to Messenger
       1. To open Messenger and sign in:
       2. To sign out:
    3. Creating a Contact List
       1. To add a contact:
    4. Chatting Online
       1. To send an instant message:
    5. Chatting Tips
19. 16. Managing User Accounts
    1. Setting up User Accounts
       1. To see existing accounts:
       2. To create an account:
       3. To edit an account:
       4. To create a password reset disk:
       5. To delete an account:
    2. Controlling the Logon Process
       1. To control how users log on:
    3. Logging on to a Domain
       1. To log on to a workgroup or stand-alone computer:
       2. To log on to a domain:
    4. Managing User Profiles
       1. To change the Default User profile:
20. 17. Setting up a Small Network
    1. Understanding Network Types
       1. Ethernet
       2. Wireless
       3. Telephone wires
       4. Electrical wires
    2. Sharing an Internet Connection
    3. Running the Network Setup Wizard
       1. To run the Network Setup Wizard:
    4. Joining a Domain
       1. To join a domain:
    5. Navigating the Network
       1. To explore the network:
    6. Sharing Files
       1. To switch between Simple and Classic file sharing:
       2. Simple file sharing
       3. To share a disk or folder:
       4. Classic file sharing
          1. To share a disk or folder:
21. 18. Working Remotely
    1. Dialing Direct
       1. To set up the remote computer:
       2. To set up the local computer:
       3. To make a call:
    2. Connecting to a Virtual Private Network Server
       1. To set up the remote computer as a VPN server:
       2. To set up the local computer:
       3. To connect to a VPN server:
    3. Controlling a Computer with Remote Desktop
       1. To set up a non-XP local computer:
       2. To set up the remote computer:
       3. To connect to a remote desktop:
22. 19. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
    1. Updating Windows XP
       1. To set up automatic updating:
       2. To update Windows manually:
    2. Getting System Information
       1. To display system data:
    3. Managing Tasks
       1. To start Task Manager:
    4. Restoring Your System
       1. To create a restore point manually:
       2. To configure System Restore:
       3. To restore your system:
    5. Cleaning up a Disk
       1. To remove unneeded files:
    6. Defragmenting a Disk
       1. To defragment a disk:
    7. Checking for Disk Errors
       1. To detect and repair disk errors:
    8. Managing Disks
       1. To open Disk Management:
    9. Backing up Your Files
       1. To install Backup on a Windows XP Home edition computer:
       2. To back up files:
       3. To restore backed-up files:
    10. Scheduling Tasks
        1. To schedule a new task:
    11. Recovering After a Crash
        1. To use the startup menu:
    12. Editing the Registry
        1. To edit the Registry:
23. A. Installing Windows XP
    1. Getting Ready to Install Windows XP
       1. Check system requirements
       2. Check system compatibility
          1. To check system compatibility:
       3. Choose an installation type
       4. Choose a file system
          1. To convert a FAT drive to NTFS:
       5. Back up your data files
       6. Plug in and switch on devices
       7. Get Internet settings
       8. Get network settings
       9. Turn off background programs
    2. Upgrading to Windows XP
       1. To upgrade to Windows XP:
    3. Performing a Clean Install or a Dual-Boot Install
       1. To perform a clean install or a dual-boot install:
    4. Using the Setup Wizard
    5. Activating Windows XP
    6. Transferring Existing Files and Settings
       1. To collect the files and settings from the old computer:
       2. To transfer the files and settings to the new computer:
    7. Uninstalling Windows XP
       1. To reinstate Windows 98/Me:
       2. To delete Windows 98/Me’s files: