In this section:
Knowing how to use your Windows operating system features is key to a successful computing experience. With Windows 8, even those who have used Windows for years will find that they have quite a few new features and interface changes to get used to. This book is designed to give you a simple-to-use visual reference that has you using Windows 8 right away. This book will help you understand the new Windows 8 interface and its touchscreen capabilities, as well as directing you to some more traditional features so that you can use your existing knowledge of Windows to ease your learning curve.
Whether you’ve used Windows before or are just starting out, this easy-to-understand book takes you through tasks step by step with a friendly visual interface that makes learning intuitive.
“Windows 8 Plain & Simple” is divided into sections; each section has a specific focus with related tasks. To help you understand how to move around and use the book, you might want a quick overview of the book’s structure.
Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, provide an introduction to the Windows 8 interface and the basic skills you need to navigate its features. You discover how to start and shut down Windows, get help, and how to provide input with your mouse, keyboard, or fingers by using a touchscreen.
Chapter 4, covers commonly used Windows settings, such as setting the date and time, connecting to an available network, and adjusting screen brightness. Chapter 5, leads you through common tasks associated with personalizing your computer by modifying settings for colors, backgrounds, and more. You learn how to organize and customize tiles on the Start screen, as well.
Chapter 6, shows you how to work with user accounts and security tools such as Family Safety, Windows Firewall, and Windows Defender. Chapter 7, helps you understand how the Ease Of Access settings can make using your computer easier if you have vision, hearing, or dexterity challenges.
Chapter 8, covers all the tools Windows 8 offers for searching content both on your computer and online. In Chapter 9, you learn about using applications, such as finding and opening an app, zooming in and out, and entering text. You also discover the ins and outs of saving and printing files. Chapter 10, offers valuable steps for managing those files in Windows folders and libraries.
Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, get you online, connecting to the Internet and learning to use the new features of the Internet Explorer 10 browser to navigate the web. You also discover how to sync your computer settings and content so that you can access them from anywhere.
Chapter 13, covers how to use an email account and the pre-installed Messaging app. In Chapter 14, you learn how to shop at the Windows Store for apps and more.
Chapter 15, provides steps for managing your contacts and time by using the People, Calendar, and Weather apps. Chapter 16, introduces you to the useful Maps app to help you find your way. Chapter 17 and Chapter 18, are all about having fun playing music and videos, and even taking your own videos and photos.
Chapter 19 and Chapter 20, provide the practical content that helps you connect with a network, manage your security and privacy, and maintain Windows to keep it trouble-free.
Finally, Appendix A, provides a comparison of Windows 8 features with earlier versions of Windows that might help you in your transition to the newer operating system; Appendix B, gives you a handy list of keystroke shortcuts; and Appendix C, offers suggestions about how to get more help.
In writing any book, it’s important to make a few assumptions about your readers. I assume that you are basically computer literate, meaning that you have used a computer before and know how to turn it on and turn it off, how to use a mouse, and how to select text and objects such as drawn shapes or photos. I also assume that you have worked with some kind of software before and know what a menu, dialog box, and tool button are. I do not assume that you have used a touchscreen before because this is a relatively recent addition to computers.
I assume that you use computers either at work or at home, or both, and that you have access to an Internet connection and have experience using one browser or another. Other than that, I try to give you all the steps you need to get things done in an easy-to-understand way, no matter what your technical background.
The biggest changes in Windows 8 involve the way things appear in the Windows Start screen, as well as the ability to interact with Windows by using a touchscreen.
Windows 8 makes excellent use of online resources and third-party apps, somewhat akin to the way the average smartphone does. With an Internet connection, you’ll find that on-screen elements update you in real time about everything from stocks and weather to activity on your social networking sites. Because you’re probably connected with many people in a variety of ways, Windows 8 gives you the ability to share content with others easily. Also, Windows Live ID and Windows To Go features allow you to access your content from wherever you are.
If you’ve used File Explorer before, you’ll find that it now includes a ribbon, with tools similar to those you might have used in a recent version of Microsoft Office.
Your computer has become vital to your productivity and entertainment, so why shouldn’t your computing experience be pleasant and fun? In this book, I try to offer short tasks to get you working with Windows 8 quickly and painlessly. I keep the technical terminology and explanations to a minimum, all within a visually appealing book that immediately connects you to what you see on screen. My goal is to get you less focused on the tool and more focused on what you can do with it to make your life simpler.
I hope you find the structure and design of this book easy to navigate and helpful as you get up to speed with all the wonderful new features in Windows 8.