How to Use Microsoft Windows Xp (2001)

From the Book:
Introduction Let's face it. Most of you have better things to do than become a computer expert; a complex operating system such as Windows XP can be pretty intimidating when your boss or administrator plops it on your desk and says, is what you'll be using from now on. Fortunately, Windows XP is designed to be easy to use, and this book is designed to make it even easier. Whether you are completely new to Windows, or feel at home clicking your way through all those dialog boxes, you are likely to have questions: 
How do you search for a file when you don't know its name? How do you install a network printer? How do you manage documents that are waiting to print? How do you work with files on the network? How do you make a movie? How do you set permissions on a file? How do you change the way your mouse works?
How to Use Windows XP provides easy-to-follow, stepby-step, and visual instructions for performing all of these common (and some not-so-common) tasks. This book uses actual pictures of the Windows XP screens to show you what you'll see at each step of a task. With each picture, a written explanation shows you the details of performing the task in simple, jargon-free language. Using the pictures with the text is a great way to learn and accomplish the tasks the first time. Later, you can refresh your memory simply by scanning the pictures.
Windows XP comes in two different editions: Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional (actually, there is a third edition-Windows XP 64-bit Editionwhich will debut later and is for high-end technical workstations). You can find out which edition you have by looking at your Windows XP CD-ROM. If you have already installed Windows XP, you can find out which edition you have by watching the screen when Windows is starting. You can also find out by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously while Windows is running; the window that opens tells you which edition you have. For the most part, Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional are identical. They look and feel the same and come with all the same functionality and programs. Windows XP Professional does include a few extra features that Windows XP Home Edition does not; these features are intended to make Windows XP Professional more suited to a corporate environment: 
Windows XP Professional supports computers with multiple processors (CPUs) for higher performance. Windows XP Home Edition supports only one processor. Windows XP Professional supports extra security measures, such as the ability to assign detailed permissions to files and folders. These permissions, which specify the rights other people on a network have to use your files, are covered in Part 9 of this book, Your Files. Windows XP Professional is designed to work more efficiently on a domain-based network that uses powerful server computers running Windows 2000 or 2002 Server.
If you use Windows XP at home or in a small business (and maybe on a small network), these extra features provided by Windows XP Professional will have little added value.
This book is primarily intended for the home or small business user, although the tasks are equally wellsuited for the professional user. For the most part, all the tasks in this book can be applied to both editions of Windows XP. The few instances where this is not . true, or where subtitle differences might trip you up, are prominently printed out.
Each task described in this book is a specific action you will use in Windows XP, such as changing the volume on your computer or backing up files. Most tasks are described in no more than seven steps. Many tasks also include special How-To Hints that provide information related to the task. Finally, tasks are arranged in the following groups, making it easy to learn related sets of skills without hunting through the book: 
Using the Windows XP Desktop Working with Files and Folders Printing Working on the Internet Using Internet E-Mail and Newsgroups Working on a Network Working Away from the Network Having Fun with Windows XP Protecting Your Files Changing Windows XP Settings Using the System Tools Installing New Software and Hardware Installing Windows XP
Whatever your level of expertise and for whatever reason you use Windows XP, you will find this book a useful tool. Whether you read it cover to cover, or set it aside for reference when you come across a specific task with which you need help, this book provides you with the information you need to complete the task and get on with your work. Enjoy!