Synopses & Reviews
In their introduction, the authors of this book say that "with Windows 8, suddenly, everything is different." And they are rightwith a completely new interface presenting users with a completely new experience, Windows 8 and its device-based cousin Windows RT are arguably the biggest change in Windows ever. But bestselling authors Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera have you covered with Windows 8 Secrets, a completely new, written-from-scratch guide to the ins and outs of this new Windows experience. Covering topics both large and small, ranging from how the new immersive experiences and familiar Windows desktop interface coexist to the subtle differences in interacting with Windows 8 via touch, keyboard, or mouse, this book digs in to reveal helpful and advanced insight in all major Windows areas: application management, data backup and security, networking, and much more.
The Insider's Guide to:
Choosing the right Windows 8 or RT product version to fit your needs
Dealing with the completely new Start experience
Understanding how the familiar desktop and your legacy applications interact with the new immersive experiences
Exploring the differences between the two versions of Internet Explorer 10 that ship with Windows 8
Digging into the array of new productivity, media, and other apps included with Windows 8
Become a power user by mastering the storage, backup and recovery, accounts and security, networking, and business features in Windows 8
Insider Tips Expert advice to help you optimize performance
Valuable Insights Eye-opening descriptions of poorly documented or undocumented features and procedures
Unbeatable Advice Real-world workarounds and little-known tips and techniques
The Secrets series reveals:
Authoritative information in highlighted areas
Exceptional advice in the margin notes
Unique insight from years of author experience
Rarely revealed tips and techniques
Invaluable shortcuts and workarounds
Synopsis
Windows 8 Secrets cuts through the hype and explains how things work, what's new and different, and how you can best optimize the new OS for your needs and wants. Utilizing the time-tested Secrets formula,
Windows 8 Secrets goes where other Windows books fear to tread, and does so with witty, conversational language that doesn't speak down to the reader or waste time with basic computer use concepts. Put simply,
Windows 8 Secrets tells you what you need to know to go from Windows user to Windows expert.
Windows 8 Secrets will include never-before-published secrets, tips, tables, and illustrations. It will provide point-by-point comparisons of Windows 8 features and functionality to those in Windows 7, providing an invaluable resource for upgraders.
Windows 8 Secrets is written by two of the premier experts in the Windows community, both of whom have unfettered access to Microsoft internally. Unlike other general purposes Windows books, Windows 8 Secrets focuses only on what the reader needs to know: new features and functionality, the differences between previous versions of Windows and how you can modify the system to work the way that is best for the individual reader. This will be the ultimate insider's guide to Microsoft's Windows first-ever OS for tablets and touch screen devices.
Synopsis
Tips, tricks, treats, and secrets revealed on Windows 8Microsoft is introducing a major new release of its Windows operating system, Windows 8, and what better way to learn all its ins and outs than from two internationally recognized Windows experts and Microsoft insiders, authors Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera? They cut through the hype to get at useful information you'll not find anywhere else, including what role this new OS plays in a mobile and tablet world.
Regardless of your level of knowledge, you'll discover little-known facts about how things work, what's new and different, and how you can modify Windows 8 to meet what you need.
- Windows 8 is the exciting update to Microsoft's operating system
- Authors are internationally known Windows experts and Microsoft insiders
- Reveals tips, tricks, and secrets on the new features and functionality of
- Explains best practices for customizing the system to work for you
- Investigates the differences between Windows 8 and previous versions of Windows
- Helps you go from Windows user to Windows expert
Windows 8 Secrets is the ultimate insider's guide to Microsoft's most exciting Windows version in years.
About the Author
Paul Thurrott runs the popular Windows enthusiast website winsupersite.com. He is the author of more than 20 technology books and the co-host of the Windows Weekly podcast. Rafael Rivera is a software developer for a VAR 500 company, Telos Corporation, where he works on mission critical system software. He is also a certified reverse engineering analyst and takes Windows apart on his blog WithinWindows.com.
Table of Contents
Read This First xv
Chapter 1 3 Choosing Windows 8 Versions, PCs and Devices, and Hardware 1
Picking a Windows 8 Product Edition 2
Picking a Windows 8 PC or Tablet 10
Summary 24
Chapter 2 3 Installing and Upgrading to Windows 8 25
That Was Then, This Is Now: How Setup Has Changed 26
Using the Windows 8 Web Installer 28
Advanced Setup: Using the Old-School Installer 45
Post-Setup: Now What? 48
Advanced Windows 8 Setup Configurations 51
Summary 61
Chapter 3 3 Metro: The New User Experience 63
Times They Are A-Changin’: The New Windows Shell 65
Lock Screen: A New Way to Sign In 67
Start Screen: A New User Experience for Modern Apps 69
Using the System-Wide Metro User Experiences 76
Summary 101
Chapter 4 3 (Still) Alive and Kicking: The Windows Desktop 103
What’s New on the Windows Desktop? 104
Where New Meets Old: Metro Features You Get in the Desktop, Too 109
Managing Files and Folders 123
Managing Classic Windows Applications 136
To the Cloud: Using the SkyDrive Desktop App 143
Summary 144
Chapter 5 3 Make It Yours: Personalizing Windows 8 145
Customizing Metro 146
Customizing Settings and Settings Sync 163
Customizing the Desktop 165
Power User Customization Tips and Tricks 177
Summary 181
Chapter 6 3 Windows Store: Finding, Acquiring, and Managing Your Apps 183
What Is an App Store . . . and Why Does Windows 8 Need One? 184
First Rule of Windows Store: There Are Rules to Windows Store 186
Launching Windows Store 189
Using Windows Store 189
Configuring Accounts and Preferences 212
Summary 214
Chapter 7 3 Browsing the Web with Internet Explorer 10 215
Two Browsers, One Brain: Understanding Internet Explorer 10 216
Internet Explorer 10 for Metro 218
Using the Desktop Version of Internet Explorer 10 239
Configuring IE 10 Desktop 241
Where IE Metro and Desktop Meet . . . and Don't 242
IE 10 and Default Browser Selection 243
Summary 245
Chapter 8 3 Get It Done with Windows 8's Productivity Apps 247
A Note About the Windows Productivity Apps and Your Microsoft Account 248
People 250
Mail 262
Calendar 272
Messaging 281
SkyDrive 287
Windows Reader 292
The Bing Apps 293
Microsoft Office Comes to Windows . . . Sort Of 300
Summary 303
Chapter 9 3 Relaxing with Windows 8's Photo and Entertainment Apps 305
A Note About the Windows 8 Entertainment Apps and Your Microsoft Account 307
Enjoying Photos 308
Buying, Managing, and Playing Music 324
Buying, Managing, and Playing Movies and TV Shows 339
Summary 348
Chapter 10 3 Xbox Games with Windows 8 349
Games and the Metro Environment 350
Finding and Acquiring Games for Windows 8 355
Finding and Acquiring Desktop Games 358
Xbox LIVE and Windows 8 359
Summary 375
Chapter 11 3 Storage, Backup, and Recovery 377
Storage Basics: NTFS Today, ReFS Tomorrow 378
Storage Spaces 379
File History 394
Using the Windows 8 Recovery Tools 400
Accessing System Image Backup and Recovery
Functionality with Windows Backup 407
What's Missing: Cloud Backup 409
Summary 411
Chapter 12 3 Accounts and Security 413
User Accounts 414
Security and Windows 8: Keeping Your PC Safe 431
Summary 440
Chapter 13 3 Networking and Connectivity 441
What Was Old Is New Again 442
Connecting to and Managing Wired and Wireless Networks 443
Connecting to Cellular Data Networks 448
Sharing Files, Media, and Printers at Home with HomeGroup 456
Summary 460
Chapter 14 3 Windows 8 for Business 463
Domain Join and Group Policy 464
Disk Encryption 470
Virtualization 475
Features Exclusive to Windows 8 Enterprise 486
Windows RT and Business: A Tablet for All Seasons 488
Summary 489
Appendix 3 Windows Key Keyboard Shortcuts 491
Index 495