Windows 7: The Missing Manual

Windows 7 David PogueBeijing  •  Cambridge  •  Farnham  •  Köln  •  Sebastopol  •  Taipei  •  Tokyo

Windows 7: The Missing Manualby David PogueCopyright © 2010 David Pogue. All rights reserved.Printed in the United States of America.Published by O’Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North,Sebastopol, CA 95472.O’Reilly Media books may be purchased for educational, business, or salespromotional use. Online editions are also available for most titles: safari.oreilly.com. For more information, contact our corporate/institutional sales department:800-998-9938 or [email protected] 2010: First Edition.The Missing Manual is a registered trademark of O’Reilly Media, Inc. The MissingManual logo, and “The book that should have been in the box” are trademarks ofO’Reilly Media, Inc. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellersto distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designationsappear in this book, and O’Reilly Media is aware of a trademark claim, thedesignations are capitalized.While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, thepublisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damagesresulting from the use of the information contained in it.ISBN: 978-0-596-80639-2 [03/10]

Table of Contents vThe Missing Credits...................................................................................xiiIntroduction.................................................................................................1 What’s New......................................................................................................................................... 3 About This Book.................................................................................................................................. 7 The Very Basics................................................................................................................................... 9Part One: The Windows 7 DesktopChapter 1: Getting Started, Desktop, & Start Menu...............................21 Getting Started.................................................................................................................................... 21 The Windows Desktop—Now with Aero!......................................................................................... 23 The Start Menu.................................................................................................................................... 26 The All Programs List.......................................................................................................................... 30 Start Menu: The Right Side................................................................................................................ 33 StartÆShut down (Sleep, Restart, Log Off…)............................................................................... 36 Customizing the Start Menu.............................................................................................................. 41 Jump Lists............................................................................................................................................ 51 The Run Command............................................................................................................................ 55Chapter 2: Explorer, Windows, & the Taskbar...................................... 59 Universal Window Controls.............................................................................................................. 59 New Window Tricks in Windows 7................................................................................................... 64 Windows Flip (Alt+Tab)..................................................................................................................... 69 Windows Flip 3D................................................................................................................................. 70 Explorer Window Controls................................................................................................................ 71 Optional Window Panes.................................................................................................................... 75 Libraries............................................................................................................................................... 81 Tags, Metadata, and Properties........................................................................................................ 86 Icon and List Views............................................................................................................................. 88 Sorting, Grouping, and Filtering....................................................................................................... 92 Uni-Window vs. Multi-Window......................................................................................................... 96 Immortalizing Your Tweaks............................................................................................................... 97 The “Folder Options” Options.......................................................................................................... 97 Taskbar 2.0........................................................................................................................................... 101 Three Ways to Get the Taskbar Out of Your Hair........................................................................... 114 Taskbar Toolbars................................................................................................................................. 115 table of contents

Chapter 3: Searching & Organizing Your Files..................................... 121 Meet Windows Search....................................................................................................................... 121 Search from the Start Menu.............................................................................................................. 122 Explorer-Window Searches............................................................................................................... 130 The Search Index................................................................................................................................ 132 Saved Searches................................................................................................................................... 138 The Folders of Windows 7................................................................................................................. 140 Life with Icons..................................................................................................................................... 144 Selecting Icons..................................................................................................................................... 150 Copying and Moving Folders and Files........................................................................................... 153 The Recycle Bin................................................................................................................................... 156 Shortcut Icons...................................................................................................................................... 160 Compressing Files and Folders......................................................................................................... 163 Burning CDs and DVDs from the Desktop...................................................................................... 166 Chapter 4: Interior Decorating Windows..............................................173 Aero or Not.......................................................................................................................................... 173 A Gallery of Themes........................................................................................................................... 176 Desktop Background (Wallpaper).................................................................................................... 179 Window Color..................................................................................................................................... 182 Sounds.................................................................................................................................................. 184 Screen Savers...................................................................................................................................... 184 Desktop Icons...................................................................................................................................... 187 Mouse Makeover................................................................................................................................ 188 Preserving Your Tweaks for Posterity............................................................................................... 190 Monitor Settings.................................................................................................................................. 192 Chapter 5: Getting Help..........................................................................199 Navigating the Help System.............................................................................................................. 199 Remote Assistance.............................................................................................................................. 202 Getting Help from Microsoft............................................................................................................. 209 Part Two: Windows 7 Software Chapter 6: Programs, Documents, & Gadgets...................................... 213 Opening Programs.............................................................................................................................. 213 Exiting Programs................................................................................................................................. 214 When Programs Die: The Task Manager......................................................................................... 215 Saving Documents.............................................................................................................................. 217 Closing Documents............................................................................................................................. 221 The Open Dialog Box......................................................................................................................... 221 Moving Data Between Documents................................................................................................... 222 Speech Recognition............................................................................................................................ 225 Gadgets................................................................................................................................................ 234 Filename Extensions and File Associations..................................................................................... 242 Installing Software.............................................................................................................................. 250vi table of contents

Uninstalling Software......................................................................................................................... 255 vii Program Compatibility Modes.......................................................................................................... 257 Windows XP Mode............................................................................................................................. 260Chapter 7: The Freebie Apps................................................................. 265 Windows Live Essentials.................................................................................................................... 265 Default Programs................................................................................................................................ 267 Desktop Gadget Gallery..................................................................................................................... 267 Internet Explorer................................................................................................................................. 267 Windows Anytime Upgrade.............................................................................................................. 268 Windows DVD Maker......................................................................................................................... 269 Windows Fax and Scan...................................................................................................................... 269 Windows Media Center..................................................................................................................... 269 Windows Media Player...................................................................................................................... 269 Windows Live Movie Maker.............................................................................................................. 269 Windows Update................................................................................................................................ 269 XPS Viewer........................................................................................................................................... 270 Accessories.......................................................................................................................................... 270 Connect to a Network Projector....................................................................................................... 273 Games.................................................................................................................................................. 294 Maintenance........................................................................................................................................ 300 Startup.................................................................................................................................................. 300 Windows Live...................................................................................................................................... 300Chapter 8: The Control Panel................................................................. 311 Many Roads to Control Panel........................................................................................................... 311 The Control Panel, Applet by Applet................................................................................................ 315Part Three: Windows 7 OnlineChapter 9: Hooking Up to the Internet................................................ 343 Your New Network Neighborhood.................................................................................................. 344 Wired Connections............................................................................................................................. 345 WiFi Hot Spots..................................................................................................................................... 346 Cellular Modems................................................................................................................................. 351 Dial-Up Connections.......................................................................................................................... 352 Connection Management.................................................................................................................. 354Chapter 10: Internet Security................................................................ 357 Microsoft Security Essentials............................................................................................................. 359 Action Center....................................................................................................................................... 361 Windows Firewall............................................................................................................................... 363 Windows Defender............................................................................................................................. 367 SmartScreen Filter.............................................................................................................................. 373 Privacy and Cookies........................................................................................................................... 375 History: Erasing Your Tracks.............................................................................................................. 379 table of contents