The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

Discover how to do just about anything with your Windows 7 PC

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition shows you how to do practical and fun stuff with your PC, including…

Basics 

• Buy and set up a Windows 7 PC
• Navigate and personalize Windows 7
• Manage disks, files, and folders
• Install and uninstall programs
• Use office applications, including a word processor and spreadsheet
• Manage your personal finances
• Get up and running with email

Fun stuff

• Manage your digital photos and share them online
• Transform a collection of photos into a movie and burn it to a DVD
• Download music and transfer it to your MP3 player or CDs
• Get connected with friends, family, and old school chums on Facebook
• Tweet on Twitter
• Discover cool features on Google you never knew existed
• Watch and share video on YouTube
• Find deals on eBay and other shopping sites
• Create your own website or blog for free
• Make free or really cheap phone calls all over the world with Skype

For power users

• Set up a home or small-business network
• Protect your computer from viruses and other online threats
• Upgrade and troubleshoot your PC

Table of Contents

Part One: Getting Started
Chapter One: Buying the Right Computer for You
Chapter Two: Setting Up, Starting, and Turning Off Your PC
Chapter Three: Taking Control with Input Devices
Chapter Four: Getting Around in Windows 7
Chapter Five: Getting Help

Part Two: Taking Control of Your PC
Chapter Six: Changing the Look and Feel of Windows
Chapter Seven: Creating and Managing User Accounts
Chapter Eight: Managing Disks, Files, and Folders
Chapter Nine: Running, Installing, and Uninstalling Programs
Chapter Ten: Installing and Managing Additional Hardware Devices
Chapter Eleven: Networking Your PC at Home and on the Road

Part Three: Getting Down to Business
Chapter Twelve: Typing and Other Word Processing Chores
Chapter Thirteen: Working with Graphics
Chapter Fourteen: Crunching Numbers with Spreadsheets
Chapter Fifteen: Creating an Address Book and Printing Mailing Labels
Chapter Sixteen: Managing Your Finances
Chapter Seventeen: Printing Documents and Other Creations

Part Four: Tapping the Power of the Internet
Chapter Eighteen: Getting Wired to the Internet
Chapter Nineteen: Poking Around on the World Wide Web
Chapter Twenty: Searching the Web Google Style
Chapter Twenty-one: Sending and Receiving E-Mail
Chapter Twenty-two: Connecting with Friends and Family on Facebook
Chapter Twenty-three: Sharing Video on YouTube
Chapter Twenty-four: Passing Notes on Twitter
Chapter Twenty-five: Communicating One-on-One in Real Time
Chapter Twenty-six: Buying and Selling Stuff Online
Chapter Twenty-seven: Touring Message Boards, Mailing Lists, and More
Chapter Twenty-eight: Publishing Your Own Web Page or Blog
Chapter Twenty-nine: Protecting Your PC from Viruses and Other Online Threats

Part Five: Going Digital with Music, Photos, and Video
Chapter Thirty: Playing, Growing, and Managing Your Music Collection
Chapter Thirty-one: Snapping, Enhancing, and Sharing Digital Photos
Chapter Thirty-two: Playing and Making DVDs

Part Six: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Computer
Chapter Thirty-three: Keeping Your PC Clean
Chapter Thirty-four: Giving Your PC a Tune-Up
Chapter Thirty-five: PC Problems: Preparation and Troubleshooting