Course outline for
Upgrading to Windows Vista

Section 1: Getting Started

Lesson 1.1: The Basics of Windows Vista

What's new in Windows Vista?

Why Upgrade?

Our Favorite Features

Vista Versions

Logging On

The Vista Screen

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 1.2: A Quick Look at Vista

Using the Welcome Center

Viewing the Demos

The Vista File Structure

Using the Desktop

Using the Start Menu

Using the System Tray

Using the Taskbar and Quick Launch

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 1.3: Using Search

Using the Search Box

Launching the Search Tool

Search Tool Overview

Searching for Files

Tips and Tricks

Setting Search Options

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 1.4: The Default Folders

Using the Personal Folder

Using the Documents Folder

Using the Pictures Folder

Using the Music Folder

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 1.5: The Basics of Help

Launching Help from the Start Menu

Launching Help from within a Vista Application

Overview of the Help and Support Window

Find an Answer

Ask Someone

Information from Microsoft

Step-By-Step

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Section 1: Case Study

Section 1: Review Questions

Section 2: The Vista Features

Lesson 2.1: Using the Sidebar

Launching the Sidebar

Sidebar Overview

Setting Sidebar Properties

Closing the Sidebar

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 2.2: Using Gadgets

What are Gadgets?

Modifying Gadgets

Adding Gadgets to the Sidebar

Removing Gadgets from the Sidebar

Downloading Extra Gadgets

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 2.3: Windows Photo Gallery

Opening the Gallery

Interface Overview

Adding Photos

Sorting Photos

Navigating Through Photos

Closing the Gallery

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 2.4: Windows Calendar

Opening the Calendar

Calendar Overview

Adding Appointments

Creating New Calendars

Working with Multiple Calendars

Closing the Calendar

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 2.5: Windows Contacts

Opening Contacts

Contacts Overview

Adding Contacts

Using Contact Views

Closing Contacts

Step-By-Step

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Section 2: Case Study

Section 2: Review Questions

Section 3: The Vista Applications

Lesson 3.1: Windows Media Center

Setting up Windows Media Center

Navigating Through Windows Media Center

Using Tasks

Using TV and Movies

Using Pictures and Videos

Using Online Media

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 3.2: Windows Media Player

Opening Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player Overview

Playing a File

Ripping a CD

Burning a CD

Closing Windows Media Player

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 3.3: Windows DVD Maker

Opening Windows DVD Maker

Adding Content to your DVD

Adding and Customizing Menus

Burning the DVD

Closing Windows DVD Maker

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 3.4: Windows Fax and Scan

Opening Windows Fax and Scan

Fax and Scan Overview

Setting up a Fax Account

Using Fax

Using Scan

Closing Fax and Scan

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 3.5: Using Windows Defender

Opening Windows Defender

Interface Overview

Performing a Scan

Removing Malicious Objects

Step-By-Step

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Section 3: Case Study

Section 3: Review Questions

Section 4: Advanced Tasks

Lesson 4.1: Common Customization Tasks

Changing Your Color Scheme

Modifying Screen Resolution

Changing your Sound Scheme

Changing the Date and Time

Setting the Volume

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 4.2: Setting Accessibility Options

Opening Ease of Access Center

Changing Mouse Options

Optimizing Your Display

Changing Input Methods

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 4.3: Overview of Networking

Networking Terms

Using the Networking and Sharing Center

Hardware Requirements

Setting up an Internet Connection

Setting up a Simple Network

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 4.4: Basic Networking Tasks

Viewing your Network Map

Using Sharing and Discovery

Sharing Drives, Folders, & Resources

Browsing the Network

Basic Network Troubleshooting

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 4.5: Staying Safe

Opening the Security Center

Security Center Overview

The Security Essentials

Modifying Security Settings

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 4.6: Keeping your Family Safe

Opening the Parental Controls Center

Setting Games Ratings

Setting Time Limits

Restricting Applications

Viewing Activity Reports

Step-By-Step

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Section 4: Case Study

Section 4: Review Questions

Section 5: Hardware and Software

Lesson 5.1: The Basics of Managing Software

Installing Software Packages

Removing Software Packages

Changing Startup Programs

Setting Program Compatibility Options

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 5.2: Managing Hardware

Viewing System Information

Checking your System's Score

Using Device Manager

Viewing Hardware and Devices

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 5.3: People Near Me

What is People Near Me?

Opening People Near Me

Setting Your Sign-In Options

Using People Near Me

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 5.4: Windows Live Messenger

Downloading and Installing Windows Live Messenger

Signing into Windows Live Messenger

Interface Overview

Sending Messages

Signing Out

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 5.5: Windows Meeting Space

Opening Windows Meeting Space

Setting up a Windows Meeting Space

Starting a Meeting

In the Meeting Room

Step-By-Step

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Section 5: Case Study

Section 5: Review Questions

Section 6: Troubleshooting your Computer

Lesson 6.1: Backing up your Computer

Launching the Backup and Restore Center

Backing Up Your Files

Backing Up Your Computer

Restoring Files

Using Easy Transfer

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 6.2: Troubleshooting your Computer

Opening the Problem Reports and Solutions Center

Viewing Problems

Checking for Solutions

Implementing Solutions

Changing Settings

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 6.3: Using System Restore

Opening System Restore

Creating a System Restore Point

Restoring your Computer to an Earlier Time

Undo a System Restore Point

Changing System Restore Settings

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 6.4: Vista's Hard Disk Management Utilities

Enabling ReadyBoost

Using BitLocker

Using the Encrypting File System

About Windows ReadyDisk

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 6.5: Advanced Computer Management

About Windows Services Hardening and Security

Using Data Execution Prevention

Setting up Access Control Lists

About Network Access Protection

About User Account Control

Step-By-Step

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Lesson 6.6: Vista Mobility Features

Introducing Windows Sideshow

Using the Mobility Center

Setting Power Options

Setting Tablet PC Options

Step-By-Step

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Section 6: Case Study

Section 6: Review Questions

Index