Microsoft Windows Vista In Simple Steps

Top 10 Vista Tips

1. Change the desktop background and screen saver
2. Locate and start a program
3. Send an email
4. Find information on the Internet
5. Upload pictures from a digital camera
6. Watch a DVD
7. Listen to a music CD
8. Backup data to a USB drive
9. Play a game
10. Write a letter

Chapter 1 – Getting Started with Windows Vista

· Start Windows Vista

· Activate Windows Vista

· View computer details

· Empty the Recycle Bin

· Restore data using the recycle bin

· Change the desktop background

· Change the screen saver

· Add desktop icons

· Create a shortcut on the desktop for a program or application

· Remove icons and shortcuts from the desktop

· Open your personal folder

· Close a folder or window

· Open an application or program

· Search for a program

· Enable the Sidebar

· Set the time on the clock gadget

· Add or remove a Sidebar gadget

· Close the Sidebar

· Shut down Windows safely

Chapter 2 – Computing essentials

· Change the view in the Pictures window

· Minimise a window

· Restore a window

· Maximise a window

· Move a window

· Resize a window

· Enable Aero

· Use Flip

· Use Flip 3D

· Use Help and Support

· Watch demonstration videos

Chapter 3- Perform tasks with Windows Vista

· Write a letter with Notepad

· Save a letter with Notepad

· Print a letter with Notepad

· Use the calculator

· Take a screen shot

· Email a screen shot

· Play Solitaire

· Record a sound clip

· Create an appointment in Windows Calendar

· Use Disk Cleanup

· Use Disk Defragmenter

Chapter 4- Files and folders

· Create a folder

· Create a subfolder

· Copy a file

· Move a file

· Delete a file

· Copy a folder

· Move a folder

· Delete a folder

· Open a saved file

· Search for a file

· Browse for a file

· Explore for a file

· Perform an advanced search

· Save search results

· Back up a folder to an external drive

Chapter 5 – Connecting to and surfing the Internet

· Select an ISP

· Check for a wireless network card

· Obtain the proper settings

· Create a connection

· Enable Network Discovery

· Diagnose connection problems

· Join a network

· Connect to a free hotspot

· Open a website in Internet Explorer

· Open a website in a new tab

· Set a home page

· Mark a favourite

· Change the zoom level of a webpage

· Print a webpage

· Clear history

· Stay safe online

Chapter 6 – Working with email

· Set up an email account in Windows Mail

· View an email

· Change how often Mail checks for email

· View an attachment

· Recover email from the Junk E-mail folder

· Reply to an email

· Forward an email

· Compose and send a new email

· Attach a picture to an email using Insert

· Attach a picture to an email using right-click

· Add a contact

· Print an email

· Apply a junk email filter

· Create a foldebsp; Scan for viruses with Windows Defender

· Enable the firewall

· View and resolve Security Center warnings

· Create a basic backup

Chapter 8 – Install hardware

· Install a digital camera or webcam

· Install a printer

· Install other hardware

· Locate a driver

· Download and install a driver

· Using ReadyBoost

· Install software

Chapter 9 – Windows Media Player

· Open Media Player and locate music

· Listen to a song

· Edit a song title and other information

· Copy a CD to your hard drive

· Create a playlist

· Copy music files to a CD

· Watch a DVD

Chapter 10 – Windows Picture Gallery

· View pictures

· Import pictures from a digital camera

· Import pictures from a media card

· Play a slideshow of picture

· Auto adjust picture quality

· Fix red eye

· Crop a picture

· Add information to a picture

· Email a picture

· Print a picture

Chapter 11– Windows Media Center

· Open Media Center

· Set up Media Center

· Restart Setup

· Watch, pause, and rewind live TV

· Record a future TV show

· Record a future TV series

· Watch a recorded TV show

· View your pictures

· Watch a DVD

· Listen to music

Chapter 12 – Change system defaults

· Change AutoPlay settings

· Change the date and time

· Change language settings

· Change folder options

· Change mouse settings

· Change when the computer sleeps

· Change what happens when you press the Power button

Chapter 13 – Share data and printers

· Open the Network and Sharing Center

· Turn on file sharing

· Turn on printer sharing

· Share a printer

· Turn on Public folder sharing

· Turn on password-protected sharing

· Turn on media sharing

· Save data to the Public folder

· Access the Public folder

Chapter 14 – Fix problems

· Enable System Restore

· Use System Restore

· Disable unwanted start-up items

· Resolve Internet connectivity problems

· Use Device Driver Rollback

· Reconnect loose cables

· View available hard drive space

· Delete unnecessary Media Center media

· Uninstall unwanted programs

Top 10 Vista Problems Solved

1. I saved a file and now I can’t find it. I don’t remember where it’s saved

2. I’m physically connected to an Ethernet network or I am within range of a wireless one but I cannot access the network

3. My computer is running slower than normal
4. I think I might have a virus. How do I find out?
5. I want to watch TV on my computer but I can’t. Why not?
6. When I insert a CD, DVD, or other media, I am either not prompted regarding what I’d like to do or I don’t like the program or window that opens when the media is inserted
7. I can’t see, hear, or navigate the computer the way I’d like to due to a disability
8. I have shared a printer but it still can’t be accessed by other computers on my network
9. My computer is acting up. It was fine yesterday, but today I can’t open my favourite program or access the Internet, or I have another problem
10. I can’t connect to the Internet