Windows 7 Bible

1251 Pages·2009·45.48 MB·English

Boyce

The book you need to succeed!

Get the most out of Windows 7
with this complete guide

Whether you’re new to Windows or moving from XP
or Vista, this comprehensive book from a Microsoft
expert will get you thoroughly up to speed on the
much-anticipated new Windows 7. Covering all three
parts of the new platform—the core OS, Windows Live
Essentials, and Windows Live Services—this step-by-
step guide is packed with practical techniques and tips.
Get set up, manage files, blog, add Bluetooth, build a
home network, and more.

• Set up user accounts, security, parental controls, and printing

• Get quick access to your programs with new Jump lists

• Explore Windows Live Services such as Desktop Gadgets Gallery and Hotmail

• Make movies, play music, share photos, and more with Windows Live
Essentials

• Manage files, understand metadata, and conduct power searches

• Sync your hardware devices and performance tune everything

• Keep track of your favorite Internet content with Web Slices

• Create a home network or share files with HomeGroup

Jim Boyce

has been a Microsoft MVP, and has
authored or coauthored over 50 books
and hundreds of articles and white
papers on computer topics including
Windows, Windows Server, Office
applications, and programming. He
regularly contributes to several online
sites and publications.

Jim Boyce

Shelving Category:
COMPUTERS / Operating Systems /
Microsoft Windows
Reader Level:
Beginning to Advanced

$39.99 USA
$47.99 Canada

www.wiley.com/compbooks

Personalize your new
Windows 7 desktop

Manage all hardware
devices with one tool

Easily share media across
different computers

Windows
® 7

Windows

® 7

Windows
® 7
Bible

Jim Boyce

Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Windows® 7 Bible

Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46256
www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2009 by Jim Boyce

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-0-470-50909-8

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections
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be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201)
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Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties
with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties,
including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended
by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation.
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tioned in this book.

About the Author

Jim Boyce has authored and co-authored over 50 books on computers and technology covering
operating systems, applications, and programming topics. He has been a frequent contributor to
Microsoft.com, techrepublic.com, and other online publications. Jim has written for a
number of print publications including Windows IT Pro, WINDOWS Magazine, InfoWorld, and
others, and was a Contributing Editor and columnist for WINDOWS Magazine.

Today, Jim is a Sr. Practice Manager for ACS, a premier provider of business process outsourcing and
information technology services, where he leads a collaboration team providing collaboration services
and development for multiple customers and over 30,000 users.

Credits

Executive Editor
Carol Long

Project Editor
Kenyon Brown

Technical Editor
Todd Meister

Production Editor
Kathleen Wisor

Copy Editors
Susan Christophersen
Kim Cofer

Editorial Director
Robyn B. Siesky

Editorial Manager
Mary Beth Wakefield

Production Manager
Tim Tate

Vice President and Executive Group
Publisher
Richard Swadley

Vice President and Executive Publisher
Barry Pruett

Associate Publisher
Jim Minatel

Project Coordinator, Cover
Lynsey Stanford

Proofreaders
Kristy Eldredge, Word One
Scott Klemp, Word One
Jen Larsen, Word One

Indexer
Robert Swanson

Cover Image
Joyce Haughey

Cover Designer
Michael E. Trent

A

revision of an existing book is much different from a project started from scratch, in large part
because the final result builds on the work of the previous author. So, first and foremost, I’d
like to express my appreciation to Alan Simpson for all of his efforts in creating the body of
work that the Windows 7 Bible is built upon. With such a short project timeline, having a solid foun-
dation was critical.

I’d also like to thank Rob Tidrow, Nathan Kuhn, and Tyler Regas for their help, particularly at the last
minute, in pulling together content for the book so we could complete the project on time.

I also want to recognize Carol Long and Carole McClendon for bringing me this opportunity. Finally,
I offer my appreciation and thanks to the editorial team for their help in pulling together this project:
Kenyon Brown, Todd Meister, Kathleen Wisor, Susan Christophersen, and Kim Cofer. It was a great
experience.

v

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................xliii

Part I: Getting Started, Getting Secure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows 7 .............................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Getting Around .............................................................................................................17
Chapter 3: Sharing and Securing with User Accounts ...................................................................57
Chapter 4: Parental Controls and Family Safety ............................................................................89
Chapter 5: Help, Support, and Troubleshooting ............................................................................99
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Startup Problems .............................................................................111

Part II: Batten Down the Security Hatches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Chapter 7: Blocking Hackers with Windows Firewall .................................................................117
Chapter 8: Conquering Malicious Software ..................................................................................131
Chapter 9: Automatic Updates as Security ...................................................................................145

Part III: Personalizing Windows 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Chapter 10: Personalizing Your Work Environment ...................................................................155
Chapter 11: Ease of Access, Speech, and Language .....................................................................209
Chapter 12: Transferring Files from Another Computer .............................................................249
Chapter 13: Customizing Startup Options ...................................................................................261
Chapter 14: Using Windows 7 Programs and Accessories ..........................................................275
Chapter 15: Troubleshooting Customization Problems ...............................................................307

Part IV: Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
Chapter 16: Using Internet Explorer ............................................................................................317
Chapter 17: Blogging with Writer ................................................................................................373
Chapter 18: Using Windows Live Mail ........................................................................................399
Chapter 19: Chatting and Texting with Windows Live Messenger .............................................489
Chapter 20: Beyond E-Mail and the Web ....................................................................................501
Chapter 21: Managing Names and Addresses ..............................................................................531
Chapter 22: Troubleshooting Internet Problems ..........................................................................543

Part V: Pictures, Music, and Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551
Chapter 23: Working with Pictures ..............................................................................................553
Chapter 24: Making Music with Media Player .............................................................................597
Chapter 25: DVD, Video, and More .............................................................................................647
Chapter 26: Fun with Media Center .............................................................................................661
Chapter 27: Troubleshooting Multimedia ....................................................................................679

vii

Contents at a Glance

Part VI: Managing Files and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 683
Chapter 28: Understanding Drives, Folders, and Files ................................................................685
Chapter 29: Managing Files and Folders ......................................................................................739
Chapter 30: Searching for Files and Messages on Your Computer .............................................767
Chapter 31: Metadata and Power Searches ..................................................................................783
Chapter 32: Using CDs and DVDs ...............................................................................................805
Chapter 33: Protecting Your Files .................................................................................................831
Chapter 34: Troubleshooting Files and Folders ...........................................................................851

Part VII: Printing, Faxing, and Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .857
Chapter 35: Installing and Managing Printers ..............................................................................859
Chapter 36: Printing Documents and Screenshots .......................................................................873
Chapter 37: Managing Print Jobs ..................................................................................................881
Chapter 38: Faxing and Scanning .................................................................................................891
Chapter 39: Troubleshooting Printing and Faxing .......................................................................909

Part VIII: Installing and Removing Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915
Chapter 40: Installing and Upgrading Programs ..........................................................................917
Chapter 41: Getting Older Programs to Run ................................................................................927
Chapter 42: Repairing and Removing Programs ..........................................................................937
Chapter 43: Setting Default Programs ..........................................................................................945
Chapter 44: Managing Programs and Processes ...........................................................................957
Chapter 45: Troubleshooting Software Problems .........................................................................971

Part IX: Hardware and Performance Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 983
Chapter 46: Installing and Removing Hardware ..........................................................................985
Chapter 47: Using Wireless Bluetooth Devices ..........................................................................1009
Chapter 48: Syncing Devices ......................................................................................................1023
Chapter 49: Performance Tuning Your System ..........................................................................1037
Chapter 50: Troubleshooting Hardware and Performance ........................................................1069

Part X: Networking and Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1077
Chapter 51: Creating a Home Network ......................................................................................1079
Chapter 52: Sharing Resources on a Network ...........................................................................1099
Chapter 53: Using Shared Resources ..........................................................................................1117
Chapter 54: Troubleshooting Networks .....................................................................................1131

Part XI: Appendixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1141
Appendix A: Upgrading to Windows 7 ......................................................................................1143
Appendix B: Installing Windows 7 on a New System ...............................................................1147
Appendix C: Universal Shortcut Keys ........................................................................................1151

Index ............................................................................................................................................1161

viii

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xliii

Part I: Getting Started, Getting Secure
1

Chapter 1: What’s New in Windows 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Taskbar and Full-Screen Improvements .................................................................................3
Jump Lists ................................................................................................................................5
New Ways to Work in Windows ............................................................................................5
Internet Explorer 8 ..................................................................................................................6
Instant search .................................................................................................................6
Web slices ......................................................................................................................6
Accelerators ....................................................................................................................6
Better navigation ............................................................................................................7
InPrivate browsing .........................................................................................................8
Other new IE features ...................................................................................................9
Windows Live ..........................................................................................................................9
Better Device Management ....................................................................................................10
Homegroup ............................................................................................................................11
Performance and Battery Life ................................................................................................12
Look and Feel ........................................................................................................................12
Troubleshooting and Alerts ...................................................................................................13
Music and Video Sharing ......................................................................................................14
. . . and More ..........................................................................................................................15
Wrap-Up ................................................................................................................................15

Chapter 2: Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Terminology for Things You Do ...........................................................................................17
Mouse terminology ......................................................................................................18
Point ..................................................................................................................18
Click ..................................................................................................................18
Double-click ......................................................................................................18
Right-click ..........................................................................................................18
Drag ...................................................................................................................19
Keyboard terminology .................................................................................................19
Tab, Enter, and Spacebar ..................................................................................19
If in doubt, Escape key out ...............................................................................20

ix

Contents

The Help key (F1) .............................................................................................20
The
Key ......................................................................................................20
Shift, Ctrl, and Alt .............................................................................................20
Shortcut keys .....................................................................................................20
Logging In ..............................................................................................................................21
What’s on the Desktop ..........................................................................................................22
Using the Start Menu ............................................................................................................23
The right side of the Start menu .................................................................................24
The Start menu Search box .........................................................................................26
The Power button ........................................................................................................27
Using Jump Lists ...................................................................................................................29
Using the Windows Desktop ................................................................................................30
About desktop icons ....................................................................................................30
Arranging desktop icons .............................................................................................32
Running Programs .................................................................................................................33
The active window ......................................................................................................35
Switching among open programs ...............................................................................35
Switching with taskbar buttons ........................................................................35
Switching with the keyboard ............................................................................35
Switching with Flip 3D .....................................................................................36
Arranging program windows ......................................................................................37
Sizing program windows .............................................................................................39
Maximize a program window ...........................................................................39
Minimize a program window ............................................................................41
Size at will .........................................................................................................41
Moving a program window .........................................................................................44
Moving and sizing from the keyboard ........................................................................44
Closing a Program .................................................................................................................45
Using the Notification Area ...................................................................................................46
Showing/hiding notification icons ..............................................................................47
Responding to notification messages ..........................................................................48
Using scroll bars ..........................................................................................................49
Using Back and Forward buttons ...............................................................................50
The Getting Started Item .......................................................................................................52
Quick Help for Getting Started .............................................................................................53
Logging Off, Shutting Down .................................................................................................54
Stuff You Can Do with a Computer .....................................................................................54
Wrap-Up ................................................................................................................................55

Chapter 3: Sharing and Securing with User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Logging In and Out of User Accounts ..................................................................................57
Where am I now? ........................................................................................................58
Logging out of an account ..........................................................................................58
Creating Strong Passwords ....................................................................................................60
Remembering passwords .............................................................................................61

x

Contents

Devising a password hint ............................................................................................62
Types of User Accounts .........................................................................................................62
The built-in Administrator account ............................................................................62
Administrative user accounts ......................................................................................63
Standard accounts .......................................................................................................63
Guest account ..............................................................................................................63
Creating and Managing User Accounts .................................................................................64
Creating a user account ...............................................................................................65
Changing user accounts ..............................................................................................66
Changing a user account type .....................................................................................67
Password-protecting an account .................................................................................67
Changing the account picture .....................................................................................69
Changing the account name .......................................................................................69
Enabling or disabling the Guest account ....................................................................70
Navigating through user account pages ......................................................................70
Creating a Password Reset Disk ............................................................................................71
Using the password reset disk ....................................................................................72
Cracking into standard user accounts ........................................................................72
Deleting User Accounts .........................................................................................................73
Using User Accounts .............................................................................................................74
Understanding User Account Control (UAC) .............................................................75
Privilege escalation in administrative accounts ...........................................................77
Turning UAC on and off .............................................................................................78
Running Programs as Administrator .....................................................................................80
Add the Built-in Administrator Account to the Login Screen ..............................................81
Stop Entering Password on Lockout .....................................................................................81
Advanced Security Tools .......................................................................................................82
About Windows CardSpace ..................................................................................................82
Using Credential Manager .....................................................................................................83
Managing Profile Properties and Environment Variables .....................................................86
Linking Online IDs with Windows Accounts .......................................................................86
Wrap-Up ................................................................................................................................88

Chapter 4: Parental Controls and Family Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Before You Get Started ..........................................................................................................89
Using the Built-In Parental Controls .....................................................................................90
Getting to the Parental Controls Page .........................................................................90
Setting time limits .......................................................................................................90
Controlling game play .................................................................................................91
Blocking and allowing programs ................................................................................93
Using Parental Controls from Windows Live .......................................................................94
Defining Web restrictions ...........................................................................................95
Get Web sites working ................................................................................................96
Viewing User Activity Reports ..............................................................................................97
Wrap-Up ................................................................................................................................98

xi

Contents

Chapter 5: Help, Support, and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Introducing Help and Support ..............................................................................................99
Navigating Help .........................................................................................................101
Using the Search box ................................................................................................103
Online Help and Offline Help ..................................................................................103
Help from People ................................................................................................................104
Remote assistance ......................................................................................................105
Windows communities .............................................................................................105
Microsoft customer support ......................................................................................107
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................108
Wrap-Up ..............................................................................................................................109

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Startup Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

The Computer Won’t Start ..................................................................................................111
Non-System Disk or Disk Error message .................................................................111
Computer starts but mouse and keyboard don’t work ............................................112
Computer keeps trying to start but never gets there ...............................................112
Screen turns blue during startup and then stops .....................................................112
Computer Takes Too Long to Start ....................................................................................112
Restore system files to an earlier time ......................................................................113
Repair Install Windows 7 ..........................................................................................113
The instruction manual that came with your computer ..........................................113
Resources in this book ..............................................................................................113
Resources in Windows Help .....................................................................................114
Online resources ........................................................................................................114
Programs Won’t Start ..........................................................................................................114

Part II: Batten Down the Security Hatches
115

Chapter 7: Blocking Hackers with Windows Firewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

How Firewalls Work ...........................................................................................................117
What a firewall doesn’t protect against ....................................................................118
Introducing Action Center ..................................................................................................119
Turning Windows Firewall on or off ........................................................................119
Making Exceptions to Firewall Protection ..........................................................................121
Manually configuring firewall exceptions (allowed programs) ................................121
Adding a program exception ....................................................................................123
Disabling, changing, and deleting exceptions ..........................................................124
Advanced Firewall Configuration .......................................................................................125
Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security icon .....................................125
Changing Firewall Profile Properties ........................................................................126
Firewall alerts, unicast responses, local administrator control ......................126
Security Logging ..............................................................................................126
Customizing IPsec settings ..............................................................................127

xii

Contents

Inbound and Outbound Rules ..................................................................................128
Wrap-Up ..............................................................................................................................129
Chapter 8: Conquering Malicious Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Types of Malware ................................................................................................................131
Viruses and worms ....................................................................................................131
Spyware and adware .................................................................................................132
Trojan horses and rootkits ........................................................................................132
Conquering Spyware with Windows Defender ..................................................................132
Opening Windows Defender ....................................................................................133
Removing spyware from your computer ..................................................................133
Doing a quick scan ..........................................................................................135
Doing a custom scan .......................................................................................135
Automatic scanning .........................................................................................135
Preventing spyware .........................................................................................137
Excluding files and folders ..............................................................................138
Advanced and Administrator configuration options ......................................138
Disallowing allowed programs ..................................................................................138
Joining the SpyNet community .................................................................................139
Windows Defender Web site ....................................................................................139
Using Antivirus Software .....................................................................................................140
Virus protection .........................................................................................................141
Antivirus and Action Center .....................................................................................142
User Account Control and Malware ...................................................................................143
The Malicious Software Removal Tool ...............................................................................143
Wrap-Up ..............................................................................................................................144

Chapter 9: Automatic Updates as Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Understanding Automatic Updates .....................................................................................145
Updates versus upgrades ...........................................................................................146
Why updates are important ......................................................................................146
Enabling Automatic Updates ...............................................................................................146
Managing Updates ...............................................................................................................147
Managing optional updates .......................................................................................147
Change how updates work .......................................................................................149
Reviewing and removing updates .............................................................................150
Thwarting Exploits with DEP .............................................................................................150
Wrap-Up ..............................................................................................................................152

Part III: Personalizing Windows 7
153

Chapter 10: Personalizing Your Work Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Using the Personalization Page ...........................................................................................155
Choosing a theme ......................................................................................................156
Personalizing your desktop background ..................................................................159

xiii