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The author would like to thank the following
Copyright © Mike Halsey 2009 people without whose help and support this
book might not have been possible.
The right of Mike Halsey to be identified as the
author of this work has been asserted by him in Duncan Buchanan
accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Rich Gilbane
Patents Act 1988. Richard Gough-Thomas
Larry Hall
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
James Halsey
may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into
Rachel Hymans
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or
Phil Smith
by any means, electronic, mechanical,
Jake Webster
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
Rory Webster
the prior written permission of the copyright
holder. And Martin and Everton at Windows 7 News.com
Windows®, Windows XP®, Windows Vista®, Finally a big thank you goes out to my mother,
Windows 7®, Office 2007® and Office 2010® are whose desire to find out more about how
Trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. Windows works was all the prompting I needed
to write this book.
Starting ....................................................................................... 5
About this book
Installing ..................................................................................... 7
Installing and getting started with Windows 7
Exploring ................................................................................... 19
Finding your way around
Working..................................................................................... 37
Get more done with Windows 7
Searching .................................................................................. 49
Searching for files and data
Connecting ................................................................................ 57
Communicating with our home and the outside world
Securing .................................................................................... 65
Keeping your PC and your files safe
Configuring................................................................................ 75
Get Windows 7 running at its best
Playing ...................................................................................... 91
Games and having fun and Windows 7
Communicating ....................................................................... 101
Connecting with your friends, family, work and home
Guaranteeing ........................................................................... 107
Helping make sure the worst never happens
Maintaining ............................................................................. 115
Keeping Windows 7 running quickly and smoothly
Diagnosing .............................................................................. 119
Problem-solving and fixing problems in Windows 7
Tweaking ................................................................................. 129
Tweaks and tips to get even more out of Windows 7
Upgrading................................................................................ 133
Improving your PC and upgrading Windows 7
Finishing ............................................................................................................... 138
Glossary and appendixes
Windows 7 Power Users Guide by Mike Halsey
www.thelongclimb.com 4
Part 1
Starting
INTRODUCTION WINDOWS 7
EDITIONS
Microsoft Windows 7 offers a
great many advanced features QUICK TIP
and is highly configurable. As with all editions of
There is a great deal you can Windows, Windows 7 comes
do to customise your system, in different product The benefits of
maintain it, simplify using it versions. The ones you‘ll
encounter will be Starter,
Windows 7
and make it a more
pleasurable experience all Home Premium, the most over XP and
round. common edition and Vista
Professional for advanced
This guide will take you systems and businesses.
Ultimate will contain every I have Windows
through everything you need
to know in easy steps with feature. XP : Windows 7 is
quick tips and step-by-step considerably more
guides. Not all features are
available in every product secure and safer to
edition. In this guide I will use on the internet
WHO IS THIS GUIDE display icons to show what than Windows XP.
versions features are
FOR? available in. For this reason
alone you should
This guide is for non- consider upgrading
technical, casual, users of
to Windows 7. Use
Windows. If you use a PC at
home for sending and the upgrade checker
receiving email, browsing the on the Microsoft
web and maybe odd jobs like website to see if
writing letters and editing WHY SHOULD I
digital photographs then this your PC will run it.
is the book for you. INSTALL WINDOWS 7?
I have Windows
Any features for Windows 7 makes great Vista : Windows 7
advanced users will leaps over previous versions
be highlighted with fixes almost all of
of Windows. It is
this logo. significantly more secure the performance
than Windows XP and issues that caused
Windows Vista. Windows Vista to
WHAT IS WINDOWS 7? run slowly. The
EASE OF ACCESS AND security system,
Windows 7 is the latest in a
long line of different versions User Account
of Microsoft‘s operating DISABILITIES HELP Control (UAC) is also
system. now considerably
Look for this icon
Windows 7 builds on the within this book for less annoying. Any
success of operating systems information on how PC running
such as Windows XP and fixes to use the ease of Windows Vista will
many of the problems access features.
happily run
associated with Windows
Vista. You can find out more These are here to help Windows 7.
at... people who may have
trouble using the Windows
www.windows7.com 7 and software because
they have trouble reading
small text, listening for
prompts or using a
keyboard and mouse.
Installing
INSTALLING
Windows 7 versions ................................................................................9
Will my PC run Windows 7? ......................................................................9
Clean install or Upgrade? .........................................................................9
Upgrading from Windows XP ............................................................9
Upgrading from Windows Vista ....................................................... 10
Upgrading from other versions ....................................................... 10
What is 64 bit Windows? ................................................................ 10
Upgrading from 32 to 64 bit ........................................................... 10
Clean install from upgrade only key ................................................ 10
Plug in and turn on your devices ............................................................. 11
Windows Easy Transfer.......................................................................... 11
Common Windows features by version .................................................... 12
Choosing a web browser (EU only) .......................................................... 13
Help .................................................................................................... 13
Getting Started .................................................................................... 13
Install anti-virus ................................................................................... 13
Step-by-step—Installing Windows 7 ................................................. 14-18
QUICK TIPS
9
UPGRADING FROM This is the best way to
ensure that all your
WINDOWS VISTA hardware and programs will
work properly.
You can perform an in-place
QUICK TIP
upgrade from Windows Vista.
The following versions will UPGRADING FROM 32 32 or 64 bit?
allow an upgrade depending
on what editions of Vista and TO 64 BIT
Windows 7 you are upgrading The difference
from and to... Windows won‘t allow you to between 32 and 64
upgrade in-place from a 32 bit software is the
bit version of Windows to a
64 bit version, nor will it size of the numbers
UPGRADING FROM allow you to perform an the PC can do
OTHER VERSIONS upgrade the other way calculations on.
around. To change
between these versions you
Windows 7 will not allow will have to perform a clean 64 bit operating
upgrading from other versions install. systems are slightly
of Windows. This includes all
versions before Windows XP faster because of
(Windows ME, Windows 98 this.
etc.) and all versions of CLEAN INSTALL FROM
Windows Server. Windows 7 also
UPGRADE ONLY
includes additional
PRODUCT KEY security
WHAT IS 64 BIT functionality that
WINDOWS? It is possible to perform a
makes the 64 bit
clean install of Windows 7
with a product key that will version of the
Each edition of Windows 7 only allow you to upgrade operating system
comes in two flavours, 32 bit it.
and 64 bit. The edition you more secure.
have will be printed on your To do this do a clean install
install DVD. Most new PCs Windows once without On the downside
now come with the 64 bit entering a product key, it older hardware and
version of the operating will allow you to do this. software might not
system pre-installed, however Now run the installer again
there can be a downside. and perform an upgrade be supported. For
over the clean install you best results run the
While the 64 bit versions of have just done. Your Windows 7 upgrade
Windows offer better security product key will now be
and stability, there is still accepted as valid for checker and check
hardware and software that installation. with a
won‘t run on it. manufacturer’s
If you have the Windows Vista Windows 7 website for your
choice of which hardware to see if
version to buy then Home Basic Home Basic, Home 64 bit drivers exist.
opt for the 32 bit Premium, Professional,
version. You should Ultimate
only buy the 64 bit
version of Windows 7 Home Premium Home Premium,
at this stage if it has Professional, Ultimate
been pre-installed on
your PC. Business Professional, Ultimate
Ultimate Ultimate
For information on
how to do this refer
to chapter
Guaranteeing.
11
COMMON WINDOWS FEATURES BY VERSION
Parental Controls
Wordpad
Windows Photo Viewer
Windows Media Player Remote Desktop
Windows Media Centre Remote Desktop Host
DVD Player Join a domain
Windows DVD Maker Connect to a projector
CHOOSING A WEB HELP
BROWSER (EU ONLY)
QUICK TIP If you live in the European
Help is always
available in
Union the Internet
Windows 7 by
Missing drivers? Explorer web browser is
selecting Help
not installed by default in
and Support
If the drivers for any Windows 7. The browser
from the Start
hardware have not ballot screen will let you
Menu.
been installed in choose and install a
Windows it’s easier browser.
that in previous
More information on this
GETTING STARTED
versions of
as and when the EU get
Windows to install You can open Getting Started
their fact together! from the Start Menu. Here
them.
you can personalise Windows,
Find out how to do transfer files from your old
computer or add users to your
this in the chapter PC.
Configuring.
INSTALL ANTI-VIRUS
The new Action Centre in the
system tray will highlight it‘s
warning flag with a red cross
to alert you that you will need
to install anti-virus software.
13
STEP BY STEP—INSTALLING WINDOWS 7
Your experience installing Windows 7 will change slightly depending on whether
you are upgrading or
performing a clean install.
Your install experience
therefore may not include all the steps
shown this guide.
15
You may want to wipe the drive or partition
before installing Windows. This deletes all
files and data on the disk so you can start
with a clean drive. You can click on Drive
options (advanced) to get to this feature
and then choose Format.
When installation is
complete you will be asked
for your name, this will be
the name for the main
administrator [master] account on
the PC and your name for the PC
itself.
17
Windows may now
ask you if you want
to set up a Home
Group. This will enable you
to share files, photos, music and
video with other PCs running
Windows 7 in your home.
We‘re finished!
You will now see
the Windows 7
desktop and can get
started using Windows.
Exploring
EXPLORING
The Windows 7 Desktop ........................................................................ 22
The taskbar ................................................................................. 22
The notification area ..................................................................... 22
The Start Menu .................................................................................... 23
Pinning start menu items ............................................................... 23
Getting started ............................................................................. 23
Using the taskbar ................................................................................. 24
Live thumbnails ............................................................................ 24
Show desktop .............................................................................. 24
Notification area ........................................................................... 24
Taskbar jumplists ......................................................................... 25
Pinning items to jumplists .............................................................. 25
Pinning programs to the taskbar ..................................................... 25
The action centre.......................................................................... 26
Windows Explorer ................................................................................. 27
Navigation Pane ........................................................................... 27
The Breadcrumb Bar ..................................................................... 28
Previous locations ......................................................................... 28
Choosing how to view files ............................................................. 28
Sorting and Grouping Files ............................................................. 29
Previewing Files ............................................................................ 29
Collapsing groups ......................................................................... 29
Working with folders ..................................................................... 29
The details pane ........................................................................... 30
The menu bar .............................................................................. 30
Hiding picture and photo names ............................................................. 31
Switching between windows................................................................... 31
Flip 3D ........................................................................................ 31
Step-by-step—Changing the default view in Windows Explorer ................. 32
Remembering windows sizes .................................................................. 33
Moving your files away from Windows ..................................................... 33
Step-by-step—Moving your files for data security .............................. 34-36
Part 1—Creating a new partition ..................................................... 34
Part 2—Moving your files ............................................................... 36
QUICK TIPS
23
USING THE TASKBAR SHOW DESKTOP
The new taskbar is the main
place from which to launch QUICK TIP
programs and manage running
programs.
At the very bottom right of
Using
You can pin programs to the your screen (the far right of thumbnails to
taskbar in the same way as the taskbar) is a small organise
pinning them to the Start button which will show you
Menu (see Pinning Start Menu your desktop. windows
Items) on the previous page.
If you have a lot of
windows open on
your desktop you
can use the live
thumbnails to
organise them.
Hovering over a
thumbnail on the
taskbar will make all
other windows
transparent and
show you the
Rolling your mouse over this selected window,
LIVE THUMBNAILS button will make all the
windows on your desktop go even if that window
transparent. Clicking it will is minimised.
minimise every window. If
you click this button again
every window will be
The live thumbnails have been restored to its full-size.
improved since Windows Vista.
Rolling over an icon on the
taskbar will show you NOTIFICATION AREA
thumbnails of the program. In
the case (above) there are two By default Windows 7 shows
tabs open in Internet Explorer three icons in the
and it will show you both tabs. notification area. The flag is
the new action centre, more
Rolling your mouse over a on that in a bit. Next is
thumbnail will show you the your network connection,
Window full size, making all either wired or wireless.
other windows transparent. The icon for wi-fi
This will also work for connections will show
minimised windows, it will connectivity and signal
restore them for you. strength. The final icon is
for sound. Clicking on it
will bring up the volume
control.
PINNING PROGRAMS
TO THE TASKBAR
If you want to pin a
program to the new
taskbar you can either
right click on it in the
Start Menu and select
Pin to Taskbar or right
click on it‘s icon when it is
running and do the same.
25
THE ACTION CENTRE The action centre is your
first port of call to diagnose
Clicking on the flag in the notification and fix problems with
area will bring up the action centre. Windows 7.
This is where all the alert messages,
informing you about things There are options here to
happening with your computer are to Troubleshoot problems
be found. with Windows or use QUICK TIP
Recovery tools if Windows
If there is a message this flag with needs repairing. Where have all
change from plain white to a flag the notification
with a red cross on it. Alerts will be colour-coded
red, yellow or green
area icons gone
The first alert you will see after depending how serious
installing Windows 7 is one advising Windows believes they are. Icons that the new
you to install anti-virus notification area
software. You can click on
the message to find out more hides by default can
about it or click on open be displayed by
action centre to see the action clicking a small up
centre full size.
It‘s in the full action centre arrow that appears
that you have control over next to the action
what alerts you choose to centre flag.
see. You can follow step-
though guides to fix common
problems and also view Clicking the
archived messages. customise link in the
window that
appears will allow
you to set
programs, such as
anti-virus software,
to always display in
the notification
area.
27
THE BREADCRUMB BAR CHOOSING HOW TO
As with Windows Vista the
VIEW FILES
breadcrumb bar is your main QUICK TIP
way of navigating Windows The default way of viewing
Explorer through the drives files and folders is by no
and folders on your PC. means the only way of doing
so. Change the
Each section (folder) is default
separated by an arrow. In the top explorer view
Clicking this arrow will display right of
a drop-down menu that will explorer
allow you to instantly move to windows By default,
any other branch in that point are two Windows Explorer
of the tree. icons to will just show you
an alphabetical list
of a folder’s
contents.
It’s worth
customising this
view to another
that is more helpful
and better suits
your personal
For instance, in the image needs.
(above) you can see we‘re on
the Windows 7 (C:) drive, in Follow my step-by-
the Users folder and then in step guide on how
the Mike and Contacts folders,
both sub-folders of that. to do this later in
this chapter.
PREVIOUS LOCATIONS
In the top left of explorer
windows are left and right
arrows to take you to back
and forward between the change the view you can see.
folders and disks you‘ve Clicking the first icon will
looked at. bring up a slider control you
can use to change the
You can also thumbnail and icon size
jump directly for files and folders in
to anywhere that explorer view. You
you‘ve can also select other
recently been views here including List,
by clicking Details and my personal
the down favourites, the very
arrow interesting and helpful
between Tiles and Content.
these buttons
and the
breadcrumb
bar.
29
THE DETAILS PANE You can change the size of
the details pane by right
clicking in it when
Along the bottom of explorer no file is selected
windows sits the details pane. and choosing how QUICK TIP
Clicking on a file will bring up big you want
information about that file from the size
here. This information could context menu Use the details
include the date the file was that appears. pane
created, it‘s size, tags or The bigger it is
ratings (for information on the more
tags and ratings see the information it will display. The details pane
chapter Searching). along the bottom of
explorer windows is
interactive, you can
use it to add and
update information
about a file, such as
its Tags or Rating
(see the chapter
Searching for ore
information on
these).
Want more
detail on files?
31
CHANGING THE DEFAULT VIEW IN WINDOWS EXP LORER
33
MOVING YOUR FILES FOR DATA SECURITY
Moving your documents away from the drive Windows 7 is installed on can remove any
chance that your files will be lost if there is a serious problem with the operating
system.
If you have two separate hard disks on your PC, or your hard disk is already partitioned
into separate drives you can ignore steps 1 to 9 and go straight to step 10.
35
You now have a fresh partition. The next step
is to move your document folders to it.
Working
WORKING
Managing windows ............................................................................... 40
Aero Snap ................................................................................... 40
Aero Shake .................................................................................. 40
Turning off Aero Snap and Shake ................................................... 40
Accessibility ......................................................................................... 41
Magnifier ..................................................................................... 41
Ease of Access Centre ................................................................... 41
Scaling your desktop screen........................................................... 42
More on Windows Accessibility ....................................................... 42
Desktop Gadgets .................................................................................. 43
Calculator ............................................................................................ 43
Paint ................................................................................................... 43
Snipping tool ....................................................................................... 43
XPS Viewer .......................................................................................... 43
WordPad ............................................................................................. 44
Sticky notes ......................................................................................... 44
Other tools .......................................................................................... 44
Touch control ....................................................................................... 44
Multi-Touch gestures ..................................................................... 44
Multi-touch software ..................................................................... 45
Tablet PC Input Panel .................................................................... 45
On-Screen Keyboard ..................................................................... 45
Windows Journal .......................................................................... 45
Maths Input Panel ......................................................................... 45
Speech Recognition .............................................................................. 45
Media Player and Photo Viewer ............................................................... 46
Windows Live Essentials ................................................................ 46
Zune Player ................................................................................. 46
Sideshow............................................................................................. 46
Windows Mobility Centre ....................................................................... 47
Using a projector .................................................................................. 47
Multiple displays ................................................................................... 47
Uninstalling and repairing programs ........................................................ 48
Windows components ........................................................................... 48
Compatibility mode ............................................................................... 48
QUICK TIPS
APPENDIXES
www.microsoft.com/enable
XPS VIEWER
Adobe‘s PDF may still
be the format of
choice for portable
documents but
Microsoft‘s XPS is still
with us. Windows 7
includes a built-in XPS
viewer so you can view
these files.
43
WORDPAD
Wordpad has had a
significant update QUICK TIP
with Windows 7 and
now not only uses the
helpful ribbon
interface first seen in
Press and tap =
Microsoft Office 2007 right mouse
but also will open click
Word 2007 and open
document format
files. There is a
way to
MULTI-TOUCH simulate the
STICKY NOTES right mouse click
GESTURES
with Windows 7
Formerly a Windows Vista multi-touch.
Sidebar gadget (but still There are two types
available to download as a of single finger
desktop gadget if you want), gesture, a tap and a If you press the
Sticky Notes are now an flick. A tap will act as screen with one
application of their own. You a mouse click, so tapping a
button will press the button finger and then tap
can pin these to the desktop
and resize them to the size you and double tapping an icon it with the other,
require. will open it for you. this will bring up
Two finger gestures extend context menus in
to software such as the same way as a
OTHER TOOLS Windows Photo Viewer, right mouse click
Word, Internet Explorer and
would.
Additional tools such as Google Earth.
Notepad, Sound Recorder, Fax
and Scan and DVD Maker are Taking hold of a picture or
all still in Windows 7 and have document and dragging
all been improved with this your fingers apart will zoom
edition. inwards. Conversely,
moving your fingers closer
together will zoom out. You
can also rotate images by
TOUCH CONTROL rotating your fingers on the
screen.
ON SCREEN
KEYBOARD
Similar to
the Tablet
PC Input
Panel this
will enable you to
type directly onto the PC‘s
screen with your fingers or
mouse.
45
MEDIA PLAYER AND SIDESHOW
PHOTO VIEWER Windows sideshow is a
utility that allows QUICK TIP
Windows Media Player and compatible devices to
Windows Photo Viewer are still display interactive content
part of Windows 7, but I won‘t on an external screen (such Parental
go into these in too much as on the lid of a laptop) Controls and
detail because of the even when the PC is
availability of... sleeping. You can access Windows Live
Sideshow gadgets in the Essentials
WINDOWS LIVE Control Panel from the Start
Menu.
Under Windows 7
ESSENTIALS
you will not need to
Several programs download and
such as Windows install Family Safety
Mail and Windows with the Windows
Movie Maker have
Live Essentials suite,
been removed from
Windows 7 and are as Windows 7
now instead part of already has full
the separate parental controls
Windows Live
Essentials. You can built-in to the
download this operating system.
from...
download.live.com
ZUNE PLAYER
Microsoft‘s Zune MP3
player, sadly only
available in the US and
Canada (at the time of
Windows 7‘s launch) is
accompanied by an
excellent media player
that you don‘t need to
own a Zune to use. You can
download the Zune media
player from...
download.zune.net
47
UNINSTALLING AND COMPATIBILITY
REPAIRING PROGRAMS MODE
Accessed from the Control Some programs won‘t run
QUICK TIP
Panel or a Start Menu search, normally because they were
Programs and Features is your designed for an earlier
central location to remove and version of Windows and are Repair your
repair programs. incompatible with Windows programs
7.
WINDOWS
COMPONENTS
Clicking on Turn Windows
features on or off in the left
pane of this window will bring
up a full list of Windows 7‘s
components that can be
switch on or off.
Searching
SEARCHING
Search is everywhere ............................................................................ 51
Searching in context ..................................................................... 51
Start Menu search ........................................................................ 51
Explorer search ............................................................................ 51
Other programs ............................................................................ 51
Indexing.............................................................................................. 52
Saved Searches ................................................................................... 52
Advanced searching .............................................................................. 53
Search filters ....................................................................................... 53
Basic search terms ....................................................................... 53
Libraries .............................................................................................. 54
Organising libraries ....................................................................... 54
Creating a library..................................................................... 54-55
Tags ................................................................................................... 56
Ratings ............................................................................................... 56
QUICK TIPS
APPENDIXES
If a folder is missing
SAVED SEARCHES form the index you
can add it by
When you perform a pressing the Modify
search you have the button then Show
option to save it. When
you save a search it will all Locations.
be automatically saved
to a Searches folder in Finally you just tick
your Documents and untick the
however you have the folder locations you
option to save it
elsewhere if you wish. do and don’t want
included.
Reopening a save
search will automatically
update it with the latest
information, so your
saved searches will
always be up to date.
53
LIBRARIES ORGANISING
A new feature in Windows is
LIBRARIES
called Libraries and opening an QUICK TIP
explorer window will display In the top right of every
your libraries by default. library is an Arrange by:
option. This will give you Build yourself
Libraries are, in essence, the option to sort the files in
aggregated storage for all your the library by a variety of custom
files, regardless of what folder methods depending on the libraries
or disk drive they are located content.
in. Libraries are an
extremely useful
way of finding files
that are scattered
across your hard
disk.
Adding and
removing folder
locations in
Libraries is easy, just
click the Includes: 1
location (the
number may be
different) to bring
up a wizard that will
easily help you add
and remove folder
locations.
55
TAGS The Import Photos and
Videos wizard will also allow
you add tags when you plug
One way to make search easier in your digital camera of
is to add tags to your files. camcorder. QUICK TIP
Tags are words that are
related to the file, a good
example is the information
RATINGS Add tags and
accompanying music files. Ratings
Each music files will contain Many file types, including
the following information, music, photos and video will This can be a chore
Track name, Artist, Supporting allow you to add Ratings. the first time
Artist, Album, Track number, These are star ratings from
around but it’s one
Composer among many others. zero to five stars.
of those jobs that
only ever needs
doing once.
Connecting
CONNECTING
Getting online ...................................................................................... 59
Network and Sharing Centre .................................................................. 59
Sharing files, folders and media ............................................................. 60
Homegroups ........................................................................................ 61
Windows Mobile Device Centre ............................................................... 62
Device Stage ....................................................................................... 62
Location-aware printing......................................................................... 63
Connecting across a network ................................................................. 63
Maintaining network devices .................................................................. 63
QUICK TIPS
59
SHARING FILES,
FOLDERS AND
MEDIA QUICK TIP
The Network and Sharing
Centre also allows you to Sharing
control what you share
with other computers
security
and how you share it.
If you want to share
You can share you documents, photos,
internet connection,
printer(s) and files. The video and music
settings here allow you within your home
to set what‘s shared and use the Network
who can see it.
and Sharing Centre
You can also share to check your
folders by Right Clicking security settings are
on one or more in Windows
set right.
Explorer and selecting Share
with in the context menu that
appears. The security options
are clear and easy
You can choose from users on to understand with
your PC and network who the
folder is shared with, or you plain English
can share a folder with your descriptions
Homegroup. throughout.
Better home
sharing
Homegroups are an
excellent way to
share documents,
photos, music and
video around your
home, offering
much better
security than simple
file and folder
sharing.
61
WINDOWS MOBILE
DEVICE CENTRE
Any device running Windows
QUICK TIP
Mobile, which includes many
mobile phones, now has much
better integration with Device Stage
Windows 7. notes
63
Windows 7 Power Users Guide by Mike Halsey
www.thelongclimb.com 64
Part 7
Securing
SECURING
How secure is Windows 7? ..................................................................... 67
Anti-virus software ............................................................................... 67
Windows Firewall .................................................................................. 68
Third-party firewall ....................................................................... 68
Windows Defender ................................................................................ 68
User Account Control ............................................................................ 69
Phishing and Spam ............................................................................... 69
Internet threats ................................................................................... 70
Domain highlighting .............................................................................. 70
In-Private browsing .............................................................................. 70
Credential Manager............................................................................... 71
Windows Update .................................................................................. 71
Security glossary .................................................................................. 71
Advanced Firewall................................................................................. 72
Firewall Exceptions ....................................................................... 72
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security ........................................ 72
Bitlocker .............................................................................................. 73
Bitlocker to go .............................................................................. 73
QUICK TIPS
GLOSSARY
Downloads............................................................................... Appendix E
HOW SECURE IS
WINDOWS 7?
QUICK TIP Microsoft Windows has
come under fire over the
Worst case years for being insecure.
The simple fact is that
scenario Windows is now one of the
most secure operating
Many things can systems you can buy.
happen if you do
For example, if the first
not have up to date year and a half after the
anti-virus software launch of Windows XP
from your files there were six or so major
security flaws highlighted
being deleted and by the world‘s press. In
lost to your PC the same period after
becoming unusable Windows Vista launched,
there was only one,
as chips on your compared to two for Apple
motherboard are Mac OS X in the same
rewritten. period.
67
WINDOWS FIREWALL WINDOWS DEFENDER
Built into Windows 7 is the The first line of defence in
firewall. This is much Windows 7 against spyware QUICK TIP
improved from previous and Trojans, though not
versions and, if you‘re careful viruses, is Windows
with your PC security, should Defender. Accessed through Protect your
be adequate for day to day the Start Menu, this
use. program will alert you PC from
through the Action Centre spyware
By default it will be set to when it needs updating or
provide the protection you when a scan should be run.
need. Windows Defender
should not be the
only software pack-
age on your PC pro-
tecting you from
Spyware, Trojans
and other internet
nasties.
In the appendices,
you will find my
recommendations
for the best free
and paid-for inter-
net protection soft-
ware available.
69
INTERNET THREATS DOMAIN
Internet threats come in
HIGHLIGHTING
many forms but modern QUICK TIP
browsers all contain security Another common feature of
features to help defend modern browsers is they
against them. will highlight the main
domain name you are
Look for the
Your web browser will warn visiting in the address bar. padlock
you one of three ways to a As in the example below
possible threat. this makes it easy to see if
the domain you are visiting When you’re shop-
Changing the colour of the matches with what you
think it will be. ping, banking or
address bar, the place you
performing any ac-
tivity online where
your privacy or se-
curity could be com-
promised always
look for the pad-
type web addresses in, will lock.
change to either yellow or red IN-PRIVATE
to warn you of the possible This will appear in
threat. BROWSING
the address bar
A pop-up warning box will Internet Explorer 8 and (left) or, in older
appear in either yellow or red later include a feature browsers, in the
to warn you of a possible called in-private browsing status bar at the
threat. (this will have different
bottom of the win-
names in other browsers).
The entire web page will This feature allow you to dow.
change to a warning in surf the web completely
either yellow or red. anonymously, with no You can click on this
information about to see who owns
the websites you
have visited or any the security certifi-
passwords or cate for this website
usernames you have and judge for your-
typed, stored on
your PC. self if you think it is
valid and whether
you want to trust it.
71
ADVANCED FIREWALL WINDOWS FIREWALL
By default the Windows
WITH ADVANCED
Firewall will provide adequate SECURITY QUICK TIP
protection against hackers and
malicious websites. However
there are times when you Typing Firewall Get safe online
require additional control. into the search
box in the Start
For information on
Menu will bring
up the Control the threats when
FIREWALL EXCEPTIONS Panel option you’re online and
Windows how to avoid them
Typing Firewall into the search Firewall with Advanced
box in the Start Menu will Security. This is for the British
bring up the Control Panel advanced users or those government, in
option Allow a program with complex network association with
through Windows Firewall. security requirements.
Here you can control every companies
This is a useful tool if a
program has been blocked aspect of the Windows including Microsoft
accidentally, or if something Firewall, allowing specific have a website you
like a game requires additional ports to be open and for
specific applications, or to can visit at...
internet access permissions to
work smoothly. overcome problems with
network access. getsafeonline.org
These drives
will then only
be readable on
other
computers
running
Windows 7 or
Windows Vista
Enterprise or
Ultimate
editions.
73
Windows 7 Power Users Guide by Mike Halsey
www.thelongclimb.com 74
Part 8
Configuring
CONFIGURING
Personalisation ..................................................................................... 78
Themes ............................................................................................... 78
Creating a custom theme ...................................................................... 79
Making things easier to read .................................................................. 79
Adding wallpapers to Windows ............................................................... 80
Displaying hidden themes ...................................................................... 80
Where are the Ultimate Extras ............................................................... 80
Windows 7 optimum configuration .......................................................... 81
Virtual Memory............................................................................. 81
Visual effects ............................................................................... 82
Startup and Recovery ................................................................... 82
Computer name ........................................................................... 82
System protection ........................................................................ 82
Control Panel ....................................................................................... 83
Autoplay ...................................................................................... 83
Date and Time ............................................................................. 83
Default programs.......................................................................... 84
Folder options .............................................................................. 84
Navigation pane ................................................................... 84
Folder views ......................................................................... 84
Search options ..................................................................... 84
Notification area icons ................................................................... 84
Power options .............................................................................. 85
Region and Language options ......................................................... 86
Configuring the Start Menu and Jumplists ................................................ 87
Putting names back on the Taskbar ........................................................ 87
The Recycle Bin .................................................................................... 88
Pinning the Recycle Bin to the Taskbar ............................................ 88
Gadgets .............................................................................................. 89
Installing missing drivers ....................................................................... 89
Step-by-Step—Installing Device Drivers ................................................ 90
QUICK TIPS
79
Open the
ADDING WALLPAPERS drive that
TO WINDOWS Windows
7 is in-
In the Personalisation window
stalled on QUICK TIP
from
you can add wallpapers from Within
any location on your hard Computer
disk. But you can also make and navigate to the fol-
RSS powered
sure these are always availa- lowing folder Windows > wallpapers
ble to Windows, just in case Winsxs. Once there in
they‘re moved for example. the search box in the top More advanced
right of that window
In Computer, open the disk search for *.theme. users might want a
containing your Windows 7 random wallpaper
Installation. This will probably This will bring up a list of scheme powered
be called ―local disk‖ and can all the available themes,
be identified by the Windows many of which will already by the RSS web
logo on the picture of the hard be installed. However publishing stand-
disk. there will be other geo- ard.
graphical theme packs
Navigate here that you can install
to... This can be quite
simply by double clicking
them. complex but blog-
Windows ger Long Zheng
> Web >
Wallpaper and here you can wrote an excellent
copy images, or folders con- article about how
taining images that will then WHERE ARE THE to get started with
appear by default in the Per- ULTIMATE EXTRAS?
sonalisation view. this feature.
81
In the Virtual Memory sec-
tion press the Change button.
COMPUTER NAME
A third window will appear.
You should untick the Auto- If you have only a single PC
matically manage paging in your home then chang- QUICK TIP
file size for all drives and ing its name won‘t benefit
select Custom size. At the you. However if you have
bottom of this window will be several on a home network Switch on
the minimum and recommend- it can help to identify which
ed sizes for your virtual computer, for instance, you system
memory. Type the Recom- are sharing files or a printer protection
mended figure into both the with.
Initial size (MB) and Maximum If you have moved
size (MB) boxes and press the You are asked to name
your documents,
Set button. Making sure both your computer when you
these numbers are the same install Windows 7, but it pictures and music
will maintain a constant size can be checked and away from the hard
for the virtual memory file. changed at any time disk or partition
through the Computer
name tab in the System Windows 7 is stored
VISUAL EFFECTS Properties window. on, you will need to
turn on System
In the same window under the Protection for the
Visual Effects tab you can
SYSTEM PROTECTION new location for
choose some of the custom those files.
effects you see on your Win- Windows 7 includes a clev-
dows desktop. er system that quietly
backs up older copies of This is a facility that
A common one to change, be- your files as you work on can allow you to
cause many people, including them so that if you need recover a previous
myself, think it gives the Win- restore an earlier version of
dows desktop a cleaner look is that file you can. By de- version of a file if
to untick the option to Show fault this feature only pro- you need to.
shadows under windows.
In the Start Menu
There are a great many op- search box type
tions here you can play with
without upsetting Windows. Advanced settings
and open View
advanced system
STARTUP AND settings when it
RECOVERY tects your Windows drive or
appears in the
partition. If you have search results. Click
For people run- moved your files away from on the System
ning Windows 7 in a here (as described in Part Protection tab and
dual-boot configu- 3 : Exploring) you will need
ration, where you to turn the feature on for turn on system
have more than that drive. You can do this protection for the
one operating system installed under the System protec- drive you have
on your PC, you can change tion tab in the System
properties window. stored your files on.
the boot order and boot menu
time in the Startup and Recov-
ery section of the System Set it to only restore previ-
Properties window. ous versions of files. You
can also specify how much
disk space is reserved for
this.
83
DEFAULT PROGRAMS HIDE DRIVE LETTERS
This Control panel item does In the Advanced settings un-
much more than its name sug- der the View menu you can QUICK TIP
gests. Here you can choose also untick Show drive let-
the default programs for cer- ters.
tain actions, such as playing a File association
DVD, but you can change the There is no real reason why
file association options. This we still need to be looking at by drag and
means you can select what drives with the C: or D: drop
files are opened by what pro- moniker attached to them.
grams. For instance you can This can make navigating
change all your music and vid- through your drives look If you have a
eo files to open with the Zune cleaner. program open or
Player (if you have installed it) pinned to the
instead of Windows media You can right click on any
taskbar you can
Player.
drag and drop any
file onto the icon to
FOLDER OPTIONS associate that file
type with that
The Folder options section in disk and select program.
the Control panel has several Rename if it is
options that you might find just called Local
From then on, any
helpful. disk.
files of that type will
open with the
NAVIGATION PANE SEARCH OPTIONS program you’ve
selected.
If you are missing the old tree- In the Search panel there
folder view from previous ver- are options such as use nat-
sions of Windows fear not, you ural language search that
can restore it here. This re- you can switch on.
stores this functionality to the
Navigation pane in Explorer
windows. NOTIFICATION AREA
ICONS
ADVANCED FOLDER
Also available by pressing
VIEWS customise when opening the
hidden icons on the taskbar
There are some options under you can change what icons
the View tab you might like to will notify you of events and
change. what can
appear
Hide empty drives on all the
your computer time. It
Hide extensions for can be
known file types useful to
Show encrypted or com- set your
pressed files in colour anti-virus
software
to always
appear.
85
REGION AND
LANGUAGE OPTIONS
This control panel applet
QUICK TIP
gives you control over
your location in the world, Modify your
your display formats for
times, dates and numbers time and date
and your keyboard lay- settings
out.
87
THE RECYCLE BIN %userprofile%
\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Inte
By default the only icon on the rnet Explorer
Windows 7 desktop is the QUICK TIP
recycle bin. It‘s helpfully …if it doesn‘t automatically
labelled Recycle go there. Select your
Bin which you don‘t System Launch folder and Pin the Recycle
need. You can press the Select Folder
remove this name button. Bin to the
by right clicking on Taskbar
it and selecting Once this new toolbar
Rename. You can appears you can unlock the
just put a single Full instructions can
taskbar and drag it to
[space] instead of a where you want and drag be found (left) but
name and you will now only and drop any icons you pinning the recycle
see the icon. want in it. You can also bin to the Taskbar
right click in it and untick
the options Show Text and cleans up your
PINNING THE RECYCLE Show Title and change the desktop and makes
icon size from small to it easy to access the
BIN TO THE TASKBAR large. Note these options
won‘t appear if the taskbar Recycle Bin at all
times.
It is possible to pin
the Recycle Bin to the
Taskbar, which This is a little
Windows 7 won‘t technical but any
allow you to do. user, no matter how
Open an explorer window and inexperienced, can
in the navigation pane type… do this. It’s a real
is locked. time-saver.
%userprofile%
\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Interne You will also now
t Explorer need to remove
the Recycle bin
icon from the
Note the Space between
desktop. Right
Internet and Explorer. You‘ll
click anywhere in
probably need to change the
blank desktop
view options so if you do, in
space and select
the same explorer
Personalise from the menu.
window press the Alt button on
In the top right of the
your keyboard and in the View
window that appears click
menu temporarily change the
Change desktop icons.
settings for Show hidden files…
Here you can untick the
and Hide Protected Operating
Recycle Bin, preventing it
System files.
89
INSTALLING DEVICE DRIVERS
From the Control
Panel open
Hardware and
Sound then in the
Devices and Printers section
open Device Manager if you are looking at
the standard ‗category view‘ control panel.
If you are looking at all Control Panel items
you will see Device Manager in the list.
Playing
PLAYING
Games ................................................................................................ 93
My game won‘t run ............................................................................... 93
Gaming mode? ..................................................................................... 94
Share music and video .......................................................................... 94
Windows Experience Index .................................................................... 95
Windows Media Centre .......................................................................... 95
Step-by-Step—Setting up a Homegroup ................................................ 96
Step-by-Step—Connecting to a Homegroup ........................................... 96
Parental controls .................................................................................. 97
Live Family Safety ................................................................................ 97
Step-by-Step—Setting up parental controls ...................................... 98-99
Video, DVD and Blu-Ray support .......................................................... 100
Burning discs ..................................................................................... 100
QUICK TIPS
Hiding games ....................................................................................... 93
Boost performance for games ................................................................ 94
Your PC as a TV ................................................................................... 95
Keep yourself and your family safe ......................................................... 97
Movies on the move ............................................................................ 100
GAMES MY GAME WON’T RUN
First introduced with Some games are blocked by a
QUICK TIP Windows Vista, Windows 7 feature called Data Execution
has a Games panel Prevention. This is designed
available form the Start to stop viruses and trojans but
Hiding games Menu. can also affect some games.
93
GAMING MODE? SHARE MUSIC AND
One of the biggest criticisms
VIDEO
levelled against Windows Vista QUICK TIP
was that there was so much Available in the Network
running in the background and Sharing Centre from
that doing anything felt the Control Panel and also Boost
sluggish, this was doubly so from Windows Media Player
for intensive processes like are the media streaming performance
gaming. options. for games
Windows still doesn‘t have a
Some third-party
‗gaming mode‘ however
Windows 7 is much fitter and programs exist for
considerably faster than Vista. boosting game
performance
during gaming.
95
SETTING UP A HOMEGROUP
Homegroups are new to Windows 7 and they‘re an excellent way to share
Music, Pictures, Photos, Videos and Printers with other PCs running Windows 7
on your home network. This feature, as of the time of writing, will only work
on PCs running Windows 7, though Microsoft may decide to back port it to
Windows Vista and Windows XP later via a service pack.
CONNECTING TO A HOMEGROUP
On another PC you want to connect to
the Homegroup open Homegroup in the
ways described above. The system will
show all available Homegroups
(remember the host PC must be switched on).
You will be asked for the password and then
what files and documents you want shared
from the new PC.
97
SETTING UP PARENTAL CONTROLS
99
VIDEO, DVD AND BURNING DISCS
BLU-RAY SUPPORT Windows 7 has native
support for burning data QUICK TIP
CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray
discs.
Movies on the
Right clicking on a file, or a
Windows 7 comes pre-
selection of several files will move
configured with a wide range
give you an option to Send
of popular video codecs. This
to... And your optical drive Windows 7 will
means the videos you‘ve
will appear in the list.
recorded from your camcorder natively play both
in DivX or XviD formats will DVD and Blu-ray
play straight away without
movies, making it a
any hassle. This is a huge
improvement over previous viable option for
versions of Windows where watching movies
finding the right codec on the move and
pack could be fiddly.
while travelling.
Windows 7 will also
natively play DVDs and Check your power-
Blu-Ray movies so if usage settings in
your PC or laptop comes
fitted by a Blu-Ray the Control Panel
player, you can watch to get the best out
high definition movies at of your battery as
home or on the go.
the constant spin-
Because the support for this is Windows 7 also now ning and reading of
built into Windows itself, any natively supports burning the movie disc
media player that uses this ISO disc images, should
you have any. Right could drain your
support can play your movies.
This includes Windows Media clicking on an image will power before the
Player and Windows Media bring up a Burn disc image credits roll.
Centre. The latter is designed option.
to be used from
a distance by
remote control
and, if your PC
came with a
remote control
and has a big
enough screen,
this is certainly
the way to
watch movies
full-screen.
Communicating
COMMUNICATING
Windows Live ..................................................................................... 103
Photo Viewer ..................................................................................... 103
Widows DVD Maker ............................................................................ 103
Contacts ............................................................................................ 104
Moving to Windows Live Mail ................................................................ 104
Importing your calendar into Windows Live Mail ..................................... 105
XPS documents .................................................................................. 105
Sideshow........................................................................................... 105
QUICK TIPS
Microsoft Powertoys ............................................................................ 103
Backup your email before installing Windows 7 ...................................... 104
XPS vs PDF ........................................................................................ 105
WINDOWS LIVE PHOTO VIEWER
Many of the programs we Windows Photo Viewer is one
QUICK TIP used in previous versions of of only two applications to
Windows, like Mail, remain in Windows 7, the
Calendar and Movie Maker other being Windows DVD
Microsoft have been removed in Maker. It is a stripped down
Windows 7 and ported to version of Windows Live
Powertoys the separate Windows Live Photo Gallery and, frankly, I‘d
Essentials Suite. recommend installing that
version from the Windows
Microsoft have This makes a lot of sense Live Essentials Suite and
released powertoys because it means they will using that instead.
be updated more regularly,
for previous and the features in them
versions and will be much better than if WINDOWS DVD MAKER
additional software they were bundles with
Windows itself.
including the Windows DVD maker is a
excellent SyncToy You can download Windows useful tool for creating DVDs
backup program Live Essentials Suite from... on your PC from photo
libraries or home videos.
and a utility to allow
download.live.com
you to view and edit It is entirely wizard driven
all the additional The suite also includes and extremely easy to use.
tags added by Messenger, the Live
Internet Explorer Toolbar
digital cameras to
and the useful Family
give extra Safety software, which
information about provides internet content
your photos. filtering for the Windows 7
Parental Controls.
It’s worth visiting
the Microsoft
website occasionally
to look for anything
new.
103
CONTACTS On your Windows 7 PC, you
will need to import mail and
contacts separately. The
The old Windows Address procedure is the same for
Book is alive and kicking both. QUICK TIP
though it‘s no longer a very
good option because nothing Press the Alt key on your
seems to use it. Windows keyboard to bring up the Back up your
Live, Gmail and Yahoo! mail menu and select Import
all use their own address email before
from the File menu. Here
books and the Windows Live you can point Windows Live installing
Essentials Suite also has it‘s Mail at your mail and con- Windows 7
own contacts file. tacts backup and import
them.
You can open these contact
by clicking on your name in If you store your
If you are using a Hotmail
the top right of the Start account there will be no email in a program
Menu. need to do this as your like Outlook Express
email and contacts will be in XP or Windows
automatically downloaded
MOVING TO WINDOWS and synchronised with your Mail in Vista you
webmail when you set up should use that
LIVE MAIL your email account in Win- program to back up
dows Live Mail.
your email to
If you are moving from
storage such as an
Windows Mail on Windows
Vista or Outlook Express 6 on external hard disk
Windows XP it‘s simple to before installing
import your contacts and Windows 7.
email into Windows Live Mail.
105
Windows 7 Power Users Guide by Mike Halsey
www.thelongclimb.com 106
Part 11
Guaranteeing
GUARANTEEING
Previous Versions ............................................................................... 109
System Restore .................................................................................. 109
Windows Backup ................................................................................ 110
Backing up files and documents.................................................... 110
Create a system image................................................................ 110
System rescue disc ..................................................................... 111
Restoring files from a backup ....................................................... 111
Restoring Windows from a system image ....................................... 111
Step-by-Step—Backing up files and documents .................................... 112
Step-by-Step—Creating a system image backup ................................... 113
Windows Startup repair ....................................................................... 114
Recovery ........................................................................................... 114
QUICK TIPS
Previous Versions vs Backup ................................................................ 109
System Images .................................................................................. 110
Restoring Windows ............................................................................. 111
Recovery Options ............................................................................... 114
PREVIOUS VERSIONS or a new piece of software is
installed. You can manually
create a restore point however
Windows 7 includes a by typing create a restore
QUICK TIP feature called Previous point into the Start Menu
Versions that can keep search box.
copies of your documents as
Previous they change, enabling you
to revert to a previous copy
Versions vs if you make a change you
Backup later want to undo.
109
WINDOWS BACKUP CREATE A SYSTEM
Backup has been streamlined
IMAGE
and simplified in Windows 7. QUICK TIP
It is now available in the Windows Vista included the
Control Panel or the Start ability to create a full
Menu as Backup and Restore. system-image of your System Images
Windows installation, so
that if something went
wrong you could restore it When you have
BACKING UP FILES AND and within 15 or 20 minutes installed Windows
DOCUMENTS you‘d have a fully working
7, configured it how
copy of Windows again.
This invaluable inclusion you want and
You can easily back up your was dampened by only installed all your
files, documents, music, being available in Vista
photos, pictures and video software you
Business and Vista
with the wizard-based backup Ultimate. should create a
system. Click Set up Backup backup image.
in the Backup and Restore The good news is that this
Centre to start this process. feature is now available in This is a snapshot
every single edition of
You can set automatic backs Windows 7. There is a of your PC, the
to another hard disk or Step-by-Step guide later drive or partition
partition in your computer. in this chapter on how to containing
There is a Step-by-Step use this facility but I do
guide in this chapter on how to thoroughly recommend Windows 7 anyway,
do this in detail. that, after you have at that moment in
installed Windows and your time.
111
BACKING UP FILES AND DOCUMENTS
Open the Backup and Restore
centre from the Start Menu or the
Control Panel and click the link Set
up Backup.
113
WINDOWS STARTUP RECOVERY
REPAIR In the Control Panel is an
item called Recovery. Here QUICK TIP
If disaster strikes and are links to help you use
Windows 7 won‘t start then it System Restore or to restore
has a clever trick up its your files form a backup.
sleeve. Startup Repair will
Recovery
detect that you can‘t get Clicking Advanced Recovery Options
Windows to work and it will Methods will help you restore
automatically kick in to try your PC from a System Im-
and solve the problem. age or, if required, reinstall Opening the
Windows 7 from scratch us- Control Panel and
This is a series of programs on ing your original installation
your hard disk that are DVD. selecting Recovery
automatically run at start-up if gives you a great
Windows cannot start.
many ways to
In the unlikely event that even recover a faulty
Startup repair won‘t start, it‘s Windows 7
also contained on your installation or lost
Windows 7
install DVD documents.
and on any
System repair This should be your
discs that you first port of call if
create.
Popping one something is
of these into wrong with your
your DVD copy of Windows 7.
drive and
booting from
You can start with
it will have
the same running System
effect. Restore to try and
restore your copy
It is a very
efficient and of Windows 7 to a
helpful way to time before the
fix Windows. error or problem
If Startup
repair can‘t occurred.
fix the
problem then
only restoring
from a
System image
or reinstalling
Windows from
scratch will
get you
working
again.
Maintaining
MAINTAINING
Cleaning Windows .............................................................................. 117
Disk Clean-up .................................................................................... 117
Disk Defragmenter ............................................................................. 117
Windows Update ................................................................................ 118
Windows Defender .............................................................................. 118
QUICK TIPS
Third-party cleaning tools .................................................................... 117
Keep Windows up-to-date ................................................................... 118
CLEANING WINDOWS DISK DEFRAGMENTER
It‘s the case with every Also located in the Start Menu
QUICK TIP operating system that over by searching for clean or in
a period of time it will get Accessories and then System
clogged up with temporarily Tools is the Disk
Third-party files and other stuff that will Defragmenter.
ultimately slow it down.
cleaning tools Keeping Windows
lean is relatively
simple and should be
Appendix E done every month or
two to keep Windows
contains my
7 running smoothly
recommendations and efficiently.
for third-party
software. This
includes tools for DISK CLEAN-UP
cleaning and
Located in the Start
maintaining
Menu by searching
Windows 7. for clean or in
Accessories and then
Cleaning out System Tools is the
Disk Clean-up tool.
temporary files and Over time, as your hard disk
This wizard will walk you
cleaning the or partition fills up with
through removing any old,
temporary files, documents,
registry can have a temporary and unwanted
music, photos and other files
files on your PC.
tremendous effect you save can become
on keeping fragmented. This means there
There are better third-party
isn‘t enough space for
Windows 7 running tools on the market, see
Windows to store the file
smoothly. Appendix E, but this is a
where it wants to so, instead,
good, useful tool.
it breaks the file into smaller
chunks and scatters it around.
117
WINDOWS UPDATE WINDOWS DEFENDER
Windows Update is the system Windows Defender is the
intended to keep your copy of anti-spyware software that QUICK TIP
Windows up to date with the comes with Windows 7.
latest updates and patches. You can set it to run on a
You should have it switched schedule you specify but Keep Windows
on and can set it to download should also use other anti-
and install new updates at a spyware software as well. up-to-date
schedule to suit you.
Diagnosing
DIAGNOSING
Action Centre ..................................................................................... 121
Performance Information and Tools ...................................................... 121
Event Log .................................................................................. 121
Performance Monitor ................................................................... 122
Resource Monitor ........................................................................ 122
Task manager ............................................................................ 122
System Information .................................................................... 123
System Health Report ................................................................. 123
Step-by-Step—Installing a Device Driver ............................................. 124
Step-by-Step—Removing and Reinstalling Drivers ................................ 125
Step-by-Step—Rolling back a driver .................................................... 125
Step-by-Step—Seeking Remote Assistance .......................................... 126
System Restore .................................................................................. 127
The System File Checker ..................................................................... 127
Startup Repair ................................................................................... 127
Program compatibility ......................................................................... 128
XP Mode ............................................................................................ 128
QUICK TIPS
Keep and eye on the flag ..................................................................... 121
Use the Task Manager ......................................................................... 122
Health Reports ................................................................................... 123
System File Checker ........................................................................... 127
Program Compatibility Trouble-shooter ................................................. 128
ACTION CENTRE
The first place to check for
QUICK TIP solutions to problems your
computer might be having
is the Action Centre,
Keep and eye accessed from the flag on
the Taskbar or through the
on the flag Control Panel.
Clicking the
Advanced link in
the left-hand pane
will bring up
options you can use
to help diagnose
and fix problems with your
PC. You may see some
critical errors.
Clicking on the
error will bring up more
EVENT LOG information in the pane below
about the error. You may see
There is a great a clue, such as details of a
deal of technical piece of hardware or a driver
information stored name that will tell you if, for
by Windows in the instance you have an unstable
Event Log. This driver for your graphics card
can be extremely useful or if a .dll file is
when tracking down a malfunctioning. See the
problem. section Fixing Problems later.
121
PERFORMANCE
MONITOR
For
QUICK TIP
experienced
technical
users and Use the Task
system Manager
TASK MANAGER
Also available by
right clicking on the
Taskbar, the Task
Manager is your
main view into the
world of your PC.
It will tell you
what‘s running, how much
processor time and memory
programs are taking up and
this is where you can shut-
down hung programs.
123
INSTALLING A DEVICE DRIVER
Windows 7 is excellent at
finding drivers for hardware
but occasionally, as new
hardware is released after
your Windows DVD was created, or after
a fresh install, it may file to find installers
for new hardware.
Right-click on the
hardware and from the
context menu that
appears click Update Driver
Software.
Select if you
want Windows
to search for
the driver, which won‘t be
worth it if Windows has
failed previously, for
instance when it was
installed or if it‘s the
network hardware you
need to get online so
Windows can search
Windows Update, or if you
want to browse for the
driver on your hard disk
or an a supplied DVD.
125
SEEKING REMOTE ASSISTANCE
Windows 7 offers you the ability to let a friend or technical support person
(make sure you know they‘re trustworthy) to take remote control of your PC
over the internet.
Type assist in the Start Menu search box and run Windows Remote
Assistance.
The system
will ask how
you want to
send the invitation.
Choose the option that‘s
best for you and press
Next.
Once the
invitation
is sent a
window
will pop up and you
should wait for your
friend to connect to
your PC.
You will be prompted to give them full control and it can be useful to tick the
box that allows them to deal with any UAC User Account Control prompts too.
127
PROGRAM
COMPATIBILITY
Windows 7 is far
QUICK TIP
better able to run
older software than Program
Windows Vista was.
In addition to this Compatibility
there are some Trouble-
useful tools built into
the operating
shooter
system.
Tweaking
TWEAKING
MSConfig ........................................................................................... 131
Services ............................................................................................ 131
Third-party tweaking software ............................................................. 132
Readyboost ....................................................................................... 132
QUICK TIPS
MSConfig ........................................................................................... 131
Be careful of tweaking software ............................................................ 132
MSCONFIG This operating system runs
far fewer services than
previous editions of Windows.
Search in the It was the number of running
QUICK TIP Start Menu for services that was largely
MSConfig and this responsible for Windows Vista
useful little utility being very slow.
MSConfig will appear.
SERVICES
Typing
services
into the
Start Menu
search box
will find this utility
with its cogs icon
that enables you to
start, stop and
switch off services
that are running in
Windows 7.
131
THIRD-PARTY The only one I can
recommend at this time is
TWEAKING SOFTWARE Windows 7 Manager from
Yamicsoft
With every version
QUICK TIP
www.yamicsoft.com/
of Windows there
are always a great windows7manager
Be careful of
number of
third-party tweaking
tools that will software
enable you to tweak the
settings in Windows to
help you get the best
Third-party
from it.
tweaking software
Using third-party can be an excellent
tweaking software does tool to help you get
include risks that
changing some Windows the best out of
settings could cause Windows 7.
Windows 7 to become
unstable or even unable Sometimes
to boot, so caution
should always be exercised I have used Yamicsoft however, a badly
when using these tools. tweaking utilities myself written or
before and found them to incompatible tool
Just some of the Windows 7 be very professionally
tweaking utilities available written, sensibly laid out can render your
include... and stable. copy of Windows
unusable.
EnhanceMySe7en
READYBOOST You should always
www.seriousbit.com/
make sure you have
tweak_windows_7 If you have a spare USB a backup of your
pen drive, you can use this
Ultimate Windows Tweaker to speed up your system. Windows 7
installation you can
www.winvistaclub.com/ Plug the drive in and when reinstall if there is a
Ultimate_Windows_Tweaker.html the autoplay window
appears select Speed up problem.
my system to use the pen
XdN Tweaker drive as additional memory.
www.tweaknow.com/powerPack.html
windows7news.com/2009/05/27/
customise-windows-7-with-windows-
7-little-tweaker
Upgrading
UPGRADING
Windows Anytime Upgrade .................................................................. 135
Upgrading to Windows 8...................................................................... 135
Adding memory .................................................................................. 136
Upgrading your Graphics card .............................................................. 136
Adding a hard disk.............................................................................. 137
Tips for upgrading your PC .................................................................. 137
QUICK TIPS
135
UPGRADING YOUR UPGRADING YOUR
MEMORY GRAPHICS CARD
The easiest and quickest way The other common way to
QUICK TIP
to upgrade your PC and upgrade a PC is to change
improve performance is to the graphics card to enable The 32 bit
install extra memory (RAM). you to play the latest
Windows 7 and your programs games. barrier
run from memory so the more
you have the more your PC There are two types of 32 bit operating
can do. If your PC runs out of interface, AGP and PCI-
systems cannot
memory it uses space on the Express. In the image
hard disk as virtual memory below the AGP socket is ‘see’ a total amount
instead, which is much slower. yellow on the left and the of memory over
long orange socket is on the 4Gb.
Memory cards sit behind your right.
DVD/Blu-Ray drives in your
computer and poke out This includes the
vertically from the memory on your
motherboard. graphics card which
is typically between
256Mb and 1Gb.
To take advantage
of more than 4Gb of
memory you will
need to be running
the 64 bit version of
Windows 7.
If you do not
already have this
version running it
They should have a label on will require a
them telling you what type of
memory they are. They will Any complete reinstall
usually be DDR, DDR2 or compatible as upgrading is not
DDR3 and this will be followed graphics possible.
by a speed. The label above card should
says DDR PC2700 which you work in
your PC, You should be able
can match up with an online
shop. It will also tell you how though some may require to get a 64 bit install
big the card is, in this case additional power so you DVD from your PC
1Gb. should check the power
supply in your PC has a supplier.
If you do not have this spare power cable, usually a
information, look for a model small white one.
number you can search online
for. Again, always make sure
you have discharged any
Always make sure the PC is static electricity from
switched off and you replace yourself and replace any
memory carefully, having parts in your computer
discharged any static- carefully.
electricity from yourself first.
137
Part 16
Finishing
APPENDICES
Appendix A : Glossary ......................................................................... 140
Appendix B : Keyboard shortcuts .......................................................... 146
Appendix C : Advanced searching ......................................................... 148
Appendix D : Windows features by edition ............................................. 155
Appendix E : Downloads ...................................................................... 160
Appendix F : Virtual Hard Disks ............................................................ 167
Appendix G : Office 2010 Quick guide ................................................... 169
Appendix H : About the author ............................................................. 172
Appendix A
Glossary
32 BIT BOOTING
An older type of computer processor Starting up your computer to use
capable of processing up to 32 bits of Windows.
binary data (0 or 1) at a time. They can
handle up to 4Gb of installed memory.
DEFRAGMENT
64 BIT Files on your hard drive can become
fragmented over time. This means that
Much newer processor designs capable Windows looks for the next best place to
of handling 64 binary bits at a time and save your file. However as you delete
memory in excess of 4Gb. They offer files this space might not be big enough
significant stability and security benefits for it. So it splits the file over the
over 32 bit processors. available free space.
NETWORKING
QUAD CORE
Connecting your computer to a network
of others, either in your home or A processor that has four physical cores
onwards to the internet. on a single chip. Thus it can operate
far faster than a single or dual core
machine. These are commonly used for
PARTITION high-end tasks such as gaming, graphics
intensive work, mathematical
calculations and running a different
Your hard drive can be split into operating system on each core (see
separate partitions. Each of these Virtual Machine)
becomes its own hard drive in the
available space. For instance a 400Gb
hard drive can be split into a 100Gb
partition followed by two 250Gb READYBOOST
partitions. This is useful for keeping
your data and files away from your A way of increasing the amount of
Windows installation. memory in Windows Vista by plugging in
a compatible USB pen drive.
PCI-E
REMOTE ASSISTANCE
PCI Express, the new format for
graphics cards on a PC, replacing the A feature in Windows that allows remote
older AGP standard. control of your PC over the internet
when you give permission, so that
someone not in front of your PC can
solve problems on it.
PDF
Adobe‘s Portable Document Format is an
excellent way to transfer documents
between people, being operating system
independent.
VERSIONS
SYSTEM RESTORE
Automatic backup of previous versions of
files performed by Windows Vista. A feature that takes a snapshot of your
These previous copies of files can be PC‘s operating system at certain periods
restored by right clicking on the file and so you can restore the system to that
selecting its properties point in the event of a problem.
SPAM TAGS
Unwanted, unsolicited email. Named Key words to describe the contents of
after a pre-cooked tinned meat your files, music or photographs.
commonly eaten in the UK during the
Second World War, and usually despised
by all who ate it. TASKBAR
The bar that typically runs along the
SPYWARE bottom of your screen containing the
Windows Orb Button, icons and the
Unwanted files that collect on your PC as clock.
you browse the internet. Many are
innocuous but some can have malicious
purposes. They are removed by UAC
software such as Windows Defender.
User Account Control (UAC) is the
security system in Windows Vista to
guard against virus and other attack.
User Interface, a term to describe the Wireless internet access, also called
look and feel of an application or 802.11. There are four speeds a, b, g
Operating System. and n with a being the slowest, n being
the fastest and g currently being the
most common.
USERS FOLDER
WINDOWS KEY
The location where your Documents and
other personal files are stored. This can The key between CTRL and ALT at the
be moved away from the drive or bottom left of your keyboard, also
partition on which you have installed known as the Windows Orb (formerly
Windows Vista. the Start Button) on the taskbar.
WEBDAV XPS
A way to store calendars online so that Microsoft‘s answer to Adobe‘s PDF
they can be shared with other people. format, the Cross Platform Support
document format offers the same
advantages that PDFs offer but is
WEP relatively new.
Keyboard Shortcuts
WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
It‘s also possible to control many aspects of Windows 7 using just the keyboard. Below
is a complete list of Keyboard controls, most of which will involve pressing the Windows
key (start button on the keyboard).
Additionally you can use the following keyboard and mouse combinations.
*Win+ and *Any number (1, 2, .., 0)+ ............. Open the corresponding taskbar pinned program
*Ctrl+ and *Click a pinned taskbar icon+ ................ Cycle through the program’s open windows
*Shift+ and *Click a pinned taskbar icon+ ............................. Run a new instance of the program
*Ctrl+ and *Shift+ and *Click a pinned taskbar icon+............... New instance as an administrator
*Shift+ and *Right-click on icon+ ................................................................. Show window menu
*Shift+ and *Right-click on grouped icon+ ................................................... Show window menu
Appendix C
Advanced Search
ADVANCED SEARCH QUERY SYNTAX
When typing dates you can use several methods. The one above is an example but to
search between a range of dates you can use from:mike
sent:27/03/08..22/10/09 as Windows search will recognise all relevant date
formats.
Multi-word relative dates: week, next month, last week, past month, coming year,
or contracted as thisweek, nextmonth, lastweek, pastmonth and comingyear
Size:>50KB <70KB Searches for files with a file size between 50Kb and
70Kb
Size:>=50KB <=70KB Searches for files with a size between 50Kb and
70Kb including the end values
Size:50KB..70KB The same as size:>=50KB <=70KB
Video Calendar
Windows Features
By version
USER INTERFACE
Windows Basic
Windows Standard
Windows Aero
Aero Peek
Aero Snap
Aero Shake
Windows Flip
Windows Flip 3D
Live Taskbar Preview
Jumplists
Windows Search
BUNDLED APPLICATIONS
Internet Explorer 8 *
Windows Desktop gadgets
Basic Games
Premium Games
Calculator
Paint
Snipping Tool
Sticky Notes
Windows Journal
Windows Fax and Scan
Windows PowerShell
WordPad
XPS Viewer
SECURITY
Action Centre
Windows Defender
Windows Firewall
IE 8 Protected Mode and DEP Support
User Account Control
Windows Update
Fast User Switching
Parental Controls
PERFORMANCE
Windows ReadyDrive
Windows ReadyBoost
SuperFetch
64-bit Processor Support
Physical Processors Supported 1 2 2 2
Processor Core Support Unlimited
Maximum RAM (32-bit) 4Gb* 4Gb* 4Gb* 4Gb*
Maximum RAM (64-bit) 16Gb 192Gb 192Gb
RELIABILITY
Windows Backup
System Image
Backup to Network
Encrypting File System
Bitlocker
Bitlocker to Go
Automatic Hard Disk Defragmenting
Previous Versions (Shadow Copies)
Create and Attach Virtual Hard Disks
NETWORKING
Join a domain
XP Mode (via download)
Applocker
Boot from Virtual Hard Disk
BranchCache
DirectAccess
Federated Search
Multi-lingual User Interface Language Packs
Location-Aware Printing
Subsystem for UNIX Applications
Downloads
ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
My choices for the best anti-virus downloads are.
MICROSOFT SECURITY
ESSENTIALS
A free basic anti-virus solution that has
advantages over the competition
including only scanning your PC when
you‘re not using it.
www.microsoft.com/security_essential
AVG ANTI-VIRUS
For years the anti-virus of choice for
internet professionals.
www.avg.com
KASPERSKY AVIRA
One of the longest-standing anti-virus A relative newcomer to anti-virus but the
vendors. Avira security suite is an excellent all-
rounder with a
Kaspersky is fantastic
either a paid for record.
anti-virus or a
security suite. www.avira.com
www.kaspersky.com
FIREWALLS
My choices for the best firewall downloads are.
ZONEALARM
Available as both a free basic firewall and
a full security suite, ZoneAlarm is one of
the best and longest-standing firewalls.
www.zonealarm.com
www.avg.com
COMODO AVIRA
Comodo offers an excellent free firewall A relative newcomer but the Avira security
as well as an upgraded paid-for edition. suite is an excellent all-rounder with a
fantastic record.
www.comodo.com
www.avira.com
ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE
My choices for the best anti-spyware downloads are.
SPYWARE TERMINATOR
Completely free but a little complex in
parts. Should be installed by an
experienced user but fire-and-forget after
that time. Spyware Terminator provides
excellent spyware and trojan protection.
www.spywareterminator.com
www.avg.com
KASPERSKY AVIRA
Kaspersky offers an excellent anti- A relative newcomer but the Avira security
spyware package as part of it‘s paid for suite is an excellent all-rounder with a
security suite. fantastic record.
www.kaspersky.com www.avira.com
PC MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE
My choices for the best PC maintenance downloads are.
GLARY UTILITIES
One of the best and simplest to use
Windows optimisations tools available,
and even better it‘s completely free.
www.glarysoft.com
ASHAMPOO WINOPTIMISER
A paid for package but well worth the
small price. An excellent Windows
optimisation tool.
www.ashampoo.com
CCLEANER
Another free Windows optimisation utility
and an excellent one at that, but only
recommended for more advanced users.
www.ccleaner.com
download.live.com
ZUNE PLAYER
Far superior to any other media player on
the market today, and you don‘t have to
own a Microsoft Zune MP3 player to use
the software.
www.zune.net/software
SHARK007 CODECS
A complete codec package for Windows
7, ensuring you can listen to and view
the widest range of music and video files.
www.shark007.net
ESSENTIAL WEBSITES
My choices for the best websites to bookmark are.
MICROSOFT FIX IT
A new service from Microsoft, helping you
diagnose and fix common Windows
problems, with downloadable fixes and
patches. This is an essential bookmark for
any Windows user.
support.microsoft.com/fixit
GIBSON RESEARCH
The website of one of the internet‘s foremost
security experts. A goldmine of free tools
and utilities for finding and fixing security
problems on your PC.
www.grc.com
www.thelongclimb.com
http://blogs.msdn.com/
cesardelatorre/
archive/2009/01/11/windows-7-
natively-booting-from-a-vhd-
virtual-pc-image-file.aspx
Office 2010
Quick Guide
THE RIBBON BACKSTAGE
Microsoft Office 2007 caused Clicking the new coloured
some considerable debate Office tab will bring up a QUICK TIP
because of the inclusion of the new feature called
new ribbon interface. This was backstage. From here you
introduced because the can open and save files, Customise the
standard menu system had print and print-preview
become unwieldy, and unable them and perform Ribbon
to cope with the sheer number additional actions such as
of features within the Office changing the default
programs. options. Many people find
the Ribbon in
Office confusing.
The oft-confusing Office Orb Click the coloured Office You can add your
has been removed and button and then the own tabs and add
replaced by a more prominent options link on the left side
or remove features
coloured Office tab at the far of the backstage window
left of the ribbon. Also at the and you will see in the from the existing
far right, next to the help options controls for ones.
button is a quick button that customising the ribbon,
will minimise and maximise including creating custom You can create
the ribbon for you. tabs for yourself.
your own tabs with
the Office features
you use most
regularly.
171
Appendix H
The Author
ABOUT MIKE HALSEY
Mike Halsey grew up in Camberley, Surrey
(UK). He is currently based in Sheffield.
www.TheLongClimb.com