1449326641 wind8 465

Windows 8: Out of the Box

Mike Halsey

Beijing • Cambridge • Farnham • Kưln • Sebastopol • Tokyo


Windows 8: Out of the Box
by Mike Halsey
Copyright © 2012 Mike Halsey. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Published by O’Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol,
CA 95472.
O’Reilly books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional
use. Online editions are also available for most titles (aribookson
line.com). For more information, contact our corporate/institutional sales department: 800-998-9938 or

Editor: Rachel Roumeliotis
Production Editor: Rachel Steely
Copyeditor:
Proofreader: FIX ME!
September 2012:

Indexer:
Cover Designer: Karen Montgomery
Interior Designer: David Futato
Illustrator: Robert Romano

First Edition.

Revision History for the First Edition:
2012-09-04
First release
See for release details.

Nutshell Handbook, the Nutshell Handbook logo, and the O’Reilly logo are registered trademarks of O’Reilly Media, Inc. !!FILL THIS IN!! and related trade dress
are trademarks of O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their
products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book,
and O’Reilly Media, Inc., was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have
been printed in caps or initial caps.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher
and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

ISBN: 978-1-449-32664-7
[?]
1346784529


Table of Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
1. Using Windows 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Top Tips from This Chapter
The Start Screen vs The Desktop: What You Need to Know
Starting Windows 8
Finding Your Way Around the New Start Screen
Using the Charms Menu
Using the App Bar
Finding All the Apps in Windows 8

Switching Between Running Apps in Windows 8
Docking Apps to the Left or Right of the Screen
Logging Out Of and Locking Windows 8
Using Touch Gestures in Windows 8
Using Windows 8 with a Keyboard and Mouse
Using the On-Screen Keyboard
Shutting Down and Restarting Windows 8
Summary

1
2
2
3
5
6
7
8
8
9
11
11
11
12
12

2. Using Email and the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Top Tips from This Chapter
Getting Online with Windows 8
Step by Step: Connecting to a Wireless Network
Getting Quick Access to Your Email

Using the Internet Explorer 10 App
Saving Your Favorite Websites to the Start Screen
Internet Explorer on the Desktop
Using Windows Live Mail
Step by Step: Setting Up Email in Windows Live Mail
Summary

15
15
16
18
18
21
22
22
23
24

iii


3. Sharing Your Files, Photos, Music, and Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Top Tips from This Chapter
The Windows 8 Sharing Tool
Sharing with Other People in Your Home
Sharing with Other Media Devices
Creating and Joining HomeGroups
Connecting Windows 8 and Your Xbox 360
Connecting to Your Xbox 360 Using the Xbox Companion App
Connecting to Other Devices in Your Home

Connecting to Devices from the Charms Menu
Connecting to Devices from File Explorer
Summary

27
28
29
30
30
30
31
33
33
34
35

4. Downloading and Using Apps and Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Top Tips from This Chapter
Using the Windows Store
Updating Apps in Windows 8
Making Tiles Smaller and Larger
Organizing App Icons on the Start Screen
Arranging the Start Screen Step by Step
Arranging Groups of Tiles
Viewing All Your Installed Apps and Programs
Switching Between Running Apps and Programs
Viewing Two Apps Side by Side
Viewing Two Desktop Windows Side by Side
Uninstalling Apps and Programs in Windows 8
Summary

37
38
39
39
41
41
41
42
44
45
46
47
47

5. Watching and Listening to Your Videos and Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Top Tips from This Chapter
Watching Your Videos in Windows 8
Playing Your Music in Windows 8
Using Windows Media Player
Summary

49
49
51
53
55

6. Importing, Viewing, and Editing Your Digital Photographs and Videos . .
57

Top Tips from This Chapter
Importing Photos and Video from Your Digital Camera
Advanced Photo and Video Import Using Windows Photo Gallery
Review, Organize, and Group Items to Import

iv | Table of Contents

57
57
59
60


About the Author
Mike Halsey is the author of several Windows books including Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out and the Windows 8 Power Users Guide. He is a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) awardee and a recognized Windows
expert. He regularly makes help, how to, and troubleshooting videos and holds
live webcasts on the first Thursday of every month for O’Reilly. Other previous
roles have included spending several years as a club singer and working as a
photographer. Mike has an open mailbag and always welcomes questions and
comments from readers. He sincerely hopes you have enjoyed this book and
that you will consider reviewing it online. He lives in an eco-home in Sheffield
(Yorkshire, UK) with his rescue border collie, Jed.