Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1 Getting Started with Windows 11
Chapter 1 Introducing Windows 11
Taking Your First Look at Windows 11
Hardware and Software
Must You Run Windows?
Understanding Important Terminology
Buying a Windows 11 Computer
Looking inside your PC
Secure boot, TPM, and Windows 11
Tablets
Displays
Managing disks and drives
Connecting your PC to other devices
Video, sound, and multimedia
Ultrabooks and convertibles
What You Might Not Like about Windows 11
Chapter 2 Seeing What’s New in Windows 11
Rolling Back to Windows 10
Microsoft’s Design Philosophy behind Windows 11
Understanding the Types of Windows 11 Apps
Seeing What’s New for the Windows Crowd
A new Start menu and taskbar
Increased role for Settings
Improved performance
Better gaming
Improved Microsoft Edge
Less Cortana
Improved security
Fine-tuned virtual desktops
Improved window snapping and grouping
Widgets are back
Other apps and improvements
Chapter 3 Windows 11 Versions
Windows 11 Editions
Buying the right edition, the first time
Narrowing the choices
64-bit is the new normal
Which Version of Windows Are You Running?
Book 2 Personalizing Windows
Chapter 1 Getting Around in Windows
Navigating around the Desktop
Using Windows 11 on Tablets and Touchscreens
Shut Down, Sleep, Restart, Sign Out, Lock, Sleep
Taking Screen Shots
Keyboard Shortcuts
Chapter 2 Logging into Windows 11
Working with the Lock Screen
Signing in
Changing the picture for the lock screen
Adding and removing apps on the lock screen
Logging in without a Password
Creating a PIN
Windows Hello
Bypassing Passwords
Chapter 3 Handling Notifications and Quick Actions
What, Exactly, Is a Notification?
Using the Notification Center
Disabling Notifications
Enabling Focus Assist
Using Quick Actions
Chapter 4 Managing User Accounts
Understanding Why You Need Separate User Accounts
Choosing Account Types
What’s a standard account?
What’s an administrator account?
Choosing between standard and administrator accounts
Knowing What’s Good and Bad about Microsoft Accounts
Adding Accounts in Windows 11
Adding a user with a Microsoft account
Adding a local (offline) account
Adding a Child Account
Changing Other Users’ Settings
Setting a standard account as administrator
Modifying the settings of other accounts
Switching Users
Chapter 5 Understanding Microsoft Accounts
Realizing Which Accounts Are Microsoft Accounts
Deciding Whether You Want a Microsoft Account
Setting Up a Microsoft Account
Creating an Outlook.com account
Making any email address a Microsoft account
Discontinuing Your Microsoft Account
Taking Care of Your Microsoft Account
Controlling Which Windows 11 Settings Get Synchronized
Chapter 6 Protecting Your Privacy
Realizing Why You Should Care about Privacy
Handling Your Privacy in Windows 11
Limiting diagnostics and feedback data collection
Viewing the diagnostic data sent to Microsoft
Knowing What Connections Windows Prefers
Seeing Fewer Ads in Windows 11
Controlling Location Tracking
Blocking all location tracking in Windows 11
Blocking location tracking in an app
Minimizing Privacy Intrusion
Book 3 Working on the Desktop
Chapter 1 Running Your Desktop from Start to Finish
Working with the Desktop
Changing the background
Switching Windows 11 themes
Battling dark mode and light mode
Setting Up Your Display
Switching the night light on and off
Enabling HDR and auto HDR
Setting the screen resolution
Changing the size of text, apps, and other items
Adjusting the refresh rate
Using magnification
Working with a Mouse and a Touchpad
Snapping app windows
Configuring the mouse
Setting up the trackpad
Using Virtual Desktops
Moving apps between virtual desktops
Managing Icons and Shortcuts
Creating shortcuts
Arranging icons on the desktop
The Recycle Bin
Chapter 2 Personalizing the Start Menu
Touring the Start Menu
Modifying the Start Menu
Adding, moving and removing pinned apps
Changing your picture
Personalizing the Recommended section
Adding and removing Start menu folders
Moving the Start menu and taskbar to the left
Chapter 3 Exploring Search and the Taskbar
Searching in Windows 11
Searching is the fastest way to start apps
Filtering search results to find what you need
Starting apps as admin from a Windows search
Searching your entire PC
Touring the Windows 11 Taskbar
Using the taskbar
Using jump lists and other taskbar tricks
Pinning apps to the taskbar
Adding and removing taskbar items
Chapter 4 Working with Files and Folders
Using File Explorer
Navigating File Explorer
Viewing and opening your file and folders
Creating and managing files and folders
Searching for files
Sorting and grouping files and folders
Displaying file extensions
Viewing hidden files
Pinning items to and removing items from Quick Access
Enabling and disabling check boxes for files and folders
Sharing files
Working with ZIP Files
Creating a ZIP file
Extracting a ZIP file
Right-Clicking in Windows 11
Chapter 5 Connecting to the Internet and Browsing the Web
Connecting to the Internet
Connecting a desktop PC to the network
Connecting your laptop or tablet to Wi-Fi
Connecting to hidden Wi-Fi
Using Microsoft Edge
Familiarizing yourself with Microsoft Edge
Enabling vertical tabs in Microsoft Edge
InPrivate browsing with Microsoft Edge
Adding extensions to Microsoft Edge
Using Other Web Browsers
Changing the Default Browser in Windows 11
Chapter 6 Calling on Cortana
The Cortana Backstory
Setting up Cortana
Turning on Voice Activation for Cortana
Using Cortana
Exploring Cortana’s Settings
Useful or Fun Commands for Cortana
Chapter 7 Maintaining Your Drives
Using Maintenance Tools for Your Computer Drives
Formatting drives
Freeing up storage space with Storage Sense
Running an error check on a drive
Defragmenting a drive
Maintaining solid-state drives
Accessing the Health Report
Book 4 Using Windows Apps
Chapter 1 Using the Mail and Calendar Apps
Choosing Mail and Calendar Apps
Comparing email apps
Comparing calendar apps
Choosing the right package
Using the Mail App
Creating an email message
Searching for email in the Mail app
Mail Settings
Adding a new email account
Setting extra options
Avoiding Calendar App Collisions
Adding calendar items
Struggling with the Calendar app’s shortcomings
Chapter 2 Keeping Track of People
Alternatives to the People App
The Contact List in Windows 11
Adding Contacts in the People App
Adding accounts to People
Editing a contact
Adding a contact
Chapter 3 Working with Photos
Viewing Pictures with the Photos App
Adding Photos
Importing pictures from a camera or an external drive
Adding folders to the Photos app
Editing Photos
Switching to Light Mode in the Photos App
Working with Albums
Chapter 4 Note-Taking with OneNote
Getting Started in OneNote with or without a Pen
Adding Notebooks, Sections, and Pages
Adding Content to a OneNote Page
Sending Sites from Microsoft Edge to OneNote
Configuring OneNote’s Settings
Chapter 5 Storing in OneDrive
What Is OneDrive?
Setting Up a OneDrive Account
The Four States of OneDrive Data
Adding Files and Folders to OneDrive
Changing the States of OneDrive Data
Sharing OneDrive Files and Folders
Chapter 6 Communicating with Skype
Signing Up with Skype
Adding a Contact
Testing Your Skype Settings
Improving Skype’s Settings
Making Individual and Group Calls
Recording Calls
Chapter 7 Using Widgets
Working with Widgets
Customizing Widgets
Adding Widgets
Chapter 8 Handling Music, Movies, and Videos
Getting Your Groove Music On
Choosing where Groove Music looks for music
Creating playlists in Groove Music
Playing Videos and Music with Windows Media Player
Ripping Music from Your Old CDs
Setting Up Spotify
Creating Your Own Videos
Using the Movies & TV App
Chapter 9 Playing Games
Searching the Microsoft Store for Games
Enabling Game Mode
Using the Xbox Game Bar
Setting the Default Graphics Card
Bringing Back the Classics
Book 5 Managing Apps
Chapter 1 Navigating the Microsoft Store
Understanding What a Windows 11 App Can Do
Browsing the Microsoft Store
Installing Apps from the Microsoft Store
Uninstalling Windows 11 Apps
Chapter 2 Using Built-In Applications
Checking Out the New Clock App
Getting Weather Forecasts
Editing Text Files with Notepad
Writing with WordPad
Doing Math with Calculator
Checking Out the New Paint App
Creating Sticky Notes
Keeping Track of Tasks with Microsoft To Do
Navigating with Maps
Chapter 3 Getting Apps from the Web
Finding Safe Places to Download Desktop Apps
Checking Apps for Malware
Uninstalling Desktop Apps or Programs
Chapter 4 Keeping Apps and Drivers Up to Date
Updating Your Microsoft Store Apps
Updating Programs and Desktop Apps
Updating Drivers
Book 6 Sharing, Socializing, and Working Online
Chapter 1 Being Social on Facebook and Twitter
Getting Started with Facebook
Choosing the Facebook App or Facebook.com
Signing up for a Facebook account
Building a great Timeline
Downloading your Facebook data
Using the other Facebook apps for Windows
Getting Started with Twitter
Understanding Twitter
Setting up a Twitter account
Tweeting for beginners
Chapter 2 Mastering Tools for Remote Work
Getting Started with LinkedIn
Signing up for LinkedIn
Understanding LinkedIn basics
Using LinkedIn apps for Windows and mobile devices
Video Conferencing with Zoom
Downloading and installing Zoom
Setting up a Zoom account
Signing into Zoom cloud meetings
Scheduling a Zoom meeting
Joining a Zoom meeting
Contacting Others through Teams
Getting started with Microsoft Teams
Chatting from Windows 11
Starting a meeting from Windows 11
Accessing the full Microsoft Teams experience
Working Remotely with Windows 11
Enabling remote desktop connections
Connecting with Remote Desktop Connection
Connecting a second monitor
Installing a webcam
Adding clocks to the taskbar
Book 7 Controlling Your System
Chapter 1 Navigating Windows Settings and Languages
Understanding the Settings App
Exploring the Control Panel
Putting Shortcuts to Settings on Your Desktop
God Mode (Still) Works in Windows 11
Using Search to Quickly Find Settings
Installing New Languages in Windows 11
Chapter 2 Managing Windows Updates
Understanding the Terminology
Installing Updates for Windows 11
Postponing Windows 11 Updates
Getting Updates for Office
Stopping Updates from Rebooting Your PC
Getting Information about and Removing Updates
The Case against Windows Automatic Update
Blocking Windows 11 updates
When is it a good time to unblock updates?
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting and Getting Help
Troubleshooting the Easy Way
Troubleshooting the Hard Way
Tackling installation problems
Problems with installing updates
Using Windows Terminal
Experimenting with Windows Sandbox
Tricks to Using Microsoft Support
The problems with Windows Help & Learning
Managing your expectations of Windows Help & Learning
Snapping Your Problems
Recording a Video of Your Problems
Connecting to Remote Assistance
Understanding the interaction
Making the connection
Troubleshooting Remote Assistance
Getting Better Help Online
Chapter 4 Storing in Storage Spaces
Understanding the Virtualization of Storage
Setting Up Storage Spaces
Working with Storage Spaces
Storage Space Strategies
Chapter 5 Working with Printers
Installing a Printer
Attaching a local printer
Installing a network printer
Using the Print Queue
Displaying a print queue
Pausing and resuming a print queue
Pausing, restarting, and resuming a document
Canceling a document
Troubleshooting Printing
Removing a printer
Stopping a print job you’ve sent by mistake
Chapter 6 Working with USB and Bluetooth Devices
Connecting USB Devices
Configuring AutoPlay for removable devices
Removing USB devices
Connecting Bluetooth Devices
Unpairing Bluetooth Devices
Book 8 Maintaining Windows
Chapter 1 Backing Up Data
Finding Windows 7’s Backup Options in Windows 11
The Future of Reliable Storage Is in the Cloud
Backing Up and Restoring Files with File History
Setting up File History
Checking whether File History backed up your data
Restoring data from File History
Changing File History settings
Storing to and through the Cloud
Considering cloud storage privacy concerns
Reaping the benefits of backup and storage in the cloud
Choosing an online backup and sharing service
Chapter 2 Resetting Windows to a Working State
Resuscitating Malfunctioning Windows 11 PCs
Resetting Your Windows 11 PC
Resetting Your PC to Factory Settings
Restoring to an Earlier Point
Enabling System Protection
Creating a restore point
Rolling back to a restore point
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting with Safe Mode
Working in Safe Mode
Accessing safe mode
Using safe mode for troubleshooting
Entering the Windows Recovery Environment
Chapter 4 Monitoring Windows
Viewing Events
Using Event Viewer
Events worthy — and not worthy — of viewing
Gauging System Reliability
Chapter 5 Managing Running Apps, Processes, and Startup Apps
Using Task Manager
Starting Task Manager
Viewing running apps and processes
Dealing with Misbehaving Apps
Killing apps that don’t respond
Keeping an eye on performance
Getting More Info from Task Manager
Viewing App History
Managing startup programs
Checking out details and services
Managing Startup Apps from Settings
Book 9 Securing Windows
Chapter 1 Spies, Spams, and Scams Are Out to Get You
Understanding the Hazards — and the Hoaxes
The primary infection vectors
Zombies and botnets
Phishing
419 scams
I’m from Microsoft, and I’m here to help
0day exploits
Staying Informed
Relying on reliable sources
Ditching the hoaxes
Is My Computer Infected?
Evaluating telltale signs
Where did that message come from?
What to do next
Shunning scareware
Getting Protected
Protecting against malware
Stop using Java and Flash
Using your credit card safely online
Defending your privacy
Reducing spam
Dealing with Data Breaches
Chapter 2 Fighting Viruses and Other Malware
Basic Windows Security Do’s and Don’ts
Making Sense of Malware
Deciphering Browsers’ Inscrutable Warnings
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Chapter 3 Running Built-In Security Programs
Working with Windows Security
Adjusting Windows Security
Running Windows Security manually
Controlling Folder Access
Judging SmartScreen
Booting Securely with UEFI
A brief history of BIOS
How UEFI is different from and better than BIOS
How Windows 11 uses UEFI
Controlling User Account Control
Poking at Windows Defender Firewall
Understanding Defender Firewall basic features
Speaking your firewall’s lingo
Peeking into your firewall
Making inbound exceptions
Chapter 4 Enhancing Your Security
Encrypting Your PC with BitLocker
Managing Your Passwords
Using password managers
My recommendations
Rockin’ RoboForm
Liking Bitwarden
Fighting Back at Tough Scumware
Securing Your Communication with VPN
What’s a VPN?
Setting up a VPN in Windows 11
Which paid VPN services should you consider?
Book 10 Enhancing Windows
Chapter 1 Linking Android to Windows
Making Windows Talk to Your Android Device
Trying Samsung DeX
Linking an Android Smartphone to a PC
Using the Your Phone app
Removing your Android device from the Your Phone app
Turning a Smartphone into a PC Webcam
Chapter 2 Using Your iPhone with Windows
Installing iTunes on Windows 11
Setting up iTunes
Synchronizing the iPhone with Windows 11
Installing iCloud on Windows 11
Controlling Windows from an iPhone or iPad
Chapter 3 Wrangling E-Book Files
Working with E-Book Files
Introducing popular e-book formats
Reading e-book files on your PC
Organizing your e-book files with calibre
Getting e-Books from Your PC to Your Kindle
Emailing books from your PC to your Kindle
Receiving emailed books from a friend
Chapter 4 Getting Started with Gmail and Other Google Apps
Introducing Google’s Ecosystem
Setting Up Gmail
Sending and Reading Emails from Gmail
Moving an Existing Account to Gmail
Adding Google Drive to File Explorer
Using Google Apps to View and Edit Files
Chapter 5 Using Outlook.com and Microsoft 365
Using Outlook.com
Sweeping emails in Outlook.com
Bringing some sanity to your Outlook.com inbox
Handling Outlook.com Failures
The Office App and Microsoft 365
Using the Free Office Web Apps
Chapter 6 Discovering the Best Free Windows Add-Ons
Windows Apps You Absolutely Must Have
VLC Media Player
Bitwarden
Recuva
The Best of the Rest — All Free
Ninite
Revo Uninstaller
Paint.NET
7-Zip
qBittorrent
Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or . . .
Other interesting free software
You may not need to buy Microsoft Office
Don’t Pay for Software You Don’t Need!
Windows 11 has all the antivirus software you need
Windows 11 doesn’t need a disk defragger
Windows 11 doesn’t need a disk partitioner
Windows 11 doesn’t need a registry cleaner
Windows 11 doesn’t need a backup program
Don’t turn off services or hack your registry
Index
EULA