About the Author

Curmudgeon, critic, and fiercely independent “Windows victim,” Woody Leonhard has dished up the truth about Microsoft products since his first Windows book two decades ago. Windows 8.1 All-in-One For Dummies, his 41st and most ambitious computer book, takes on both sides of the Windows 8.1 interface, and then branches out to cover the ways Windows interacts with all sorts of products — iPads to Google Apps, Facebook to Mac networks, VPNs to Android. Woody’s unique reader-first approach ensures that you get the best advice about solving your problems — whether Microsoft likes it or not.

Woody is best known online as a senior contributing editor for InfoWorld, and Contributing Editor of Windows Secrets Newsletter. He also runs AskWoody.com, the web's leading source of news about Microsoft updates. He tweets frequently on tech topics from @woodyleonhard.

He’s a Microsoft MVP, one of the first Microsoft Consulting Partners, and a charter member of the Microsoft Solutions Provider organization. He delights in being a constant thorn in Microsoft’s side. Along with several coauthors and editors, Woody has won an unprecedented six Computer Press Association awards and two American Business Press awards.

Woody moved to Phuket, Thailand, in 2000, married a southern Thai lady — yes, they met in Starbucks — and they now have a toddler who keeps life running a mile a minute.

Dedication

To George L. Leonhard, Jr., 1924–2012. And to Add and Andy and Justin, the lights of my life.

Author’s Acknowledgments

I’m very lucky to have an outstanding editorial dream team at Wiley, once again. This book is by far the most challenging book I’ve ever written, covering a topic that’s enormously complex, and the Wiley crew led the charge to keep it accurate, timely, and directed squarely at the features Windows users need most.

Thanks, also, to Claudette Moore at Moore Literary Agency, the best agent in the biz.

I also want to thank the people at TechSmith for keeping their screen-capture program, Snagit, working through the Windows 8 and 8.1 betas. I’ve used Snagit for all the screen shots in all my books, going back as far as I can remember. Snagit is a workhorse — one of the most reliable pieces of software I’ve ever encountered.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

Executive Editor: Steve Hayes

Project Editor: Linda Morris

Copy Editor: Linda Morris

Technical Editor: Ryan Williams

Editorial Assistant: Annie Sullivan

Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case

Project Coordinator: Sheree Montgomery

Cover Image: ©iStockphoto.com/nyul