Course outline for
Microsoft Windows 8 - Expert

Introduction

Prerequisites

Section 1: Making Windows 8 Work for You

Lesson 1.1: Adding Administrative Icons to the Start Screen

Hiding and Showing Administrative Icons on the Start Screen

Running Tools as an Administrator

Pinning Tools to the Desktop Taskbar

Unpinning Tools from the Start Screen

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 1.2: Meet the Control Panel

Opening the Control Panel

Control Panel Overview

Navigation Basics

Changing the View

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 1.3: Personalizing Your Desktop

Changing Your Theme

Changing the Desktop Background

Customizing Screen Colors

Changing Sound Effects

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 1.4: Changing Display Options

Changing Item Size

Changing Your Screen Resolution

Working with Multiple Monitors

Projecting to a Second Screen

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 1.5: Changing Regional Options

Changing the Date and Time

Changing the Time Zone

Setting Your Language

Changing Location Settings

Changing Your Region

Changing Date, Time, and Number Formats

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 1.6: Advanced Customization Techniques

Customizing Mouse Behavior

Changing System Volume

Customizing the Taskbar

Customizing the System Tray

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 1: Case Study

Section 1: Review Questions

Section 2: Windows 8 and Accessibility

Lesson 2.1: Setting Accessibility Options

Opening the Ease of Access Center

Changing Mouse Options

Optimizing Your Display

Changing Input Methods

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 2.2: Using Ease of Access Tools

Using the Magnifier

Using the On-Screen Keyboard

Using the Narrator

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 2.3: Using Speech Recognition

Opening Speech Recognition

Setting up Speech Recognition

Training Your Computer

Using Speech Recognition

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 2: Case Study

Section 2: Review Questions

Section 3: Maintaining and Optimizing Your Computer

Lesson 3.1: Customizing User Accounts with the Control Panel

Viewing User Accounts

Adding a User Account

Changing the Account Type

Changing User Account Control Settings

Removing a User Account

Using PC Settings to Modify an Account

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 3.2: Monitoring System Performance

Viewing Performance Information

Viewing System Information

Opening the Event Viewer

Using the Performance Monitor

Using the Resource Monitor

Generating System Health Reports

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 3.3: Maintaining Your Computer

Cleaning Up Your Hard Drive

Understanding Defragmentation

Defragmenting and Optimizing Your Hard Drive

Repairing Hard Drive Errors

Setting Power Options

Changing Mobility Settings

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 3.4: Optimizing Your Computer

Using Windows Update in PC Settings

Using Windows Update in Control Panel

Clearing Temporary Internet Files and Cookies

Using the Task Scheduler

Creating Custom Tasks

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 3.5: Using Task Manager, Part One

Starting Task Manager

Interface Overview

Viewing Processes

Analyzing Performance

Viewing Resource History

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 3.6: Using Task Manager, Part Two

Changing Startup Items

Viewing Usage by User

Viewing Process Details

Viewing Service Details

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 3: Case Study

Section 3: Review Questions

Section 4: Hardware and Software

Lesson 4.1: The Basics of Managing Software

Opening Programs and Features

Installing Software Packages

Removing Software Packages

Setting Program Compatibility Options

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 4.2: Advanced Program Management Tools

Enabling or Disabling Windows Features

Changing Default Applications

Changing AutoPlay Options

Associating File Types

Setting Program Access

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 4.3: Managing Hardware

Opening Device Manager

Viewing Hardware and Devices

Viewing Device Properties

Updating Device Drivers

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 4.4: Advanced Hardware Management

Opening Disk Management

Viewing and Managing Drives

Creating a Partition

Formatting a Partition

Deleting a Partition

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 4.5: Improving System Performance

Disabling Visual Elements

Disabling Startup Items

Running Disk Cleanup

Defragmenting Your Hard Drive

About Hardware Upgrades

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 4: Case Study

Section 4: Review Questions

Section 5: Networking with Windows 8

Lesson 5.1: Overview of Networking

Networking Terms

Hardware Requirements

Using the Networking and Sharing Center

Setting Up a Dial-Up Internet Connection

Setting Up a High-Speed Internet Connection

Connecting to a Wireless Network

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 5.2: Using the Homegroup

Setting up a Homegroup

Joining a Homegroup

Sharing Files, Libraries, and Devices

Viewing Shared Files

Viewing the Homegroup Password

Troubleshooting a Homegroup

Leaving a Homegroup

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 5.3: Other Networking Tasks

Changing Networking Sharing and Discovery

Sharing Drives, Folders, and Resources

Browsing the Network

Basic Network Troubleshooting

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 5.4: Advanced Networking Tasks

Mapping a Network Drive

Connecting to a Network Printer

Connecting to a Domain or Workgroup

Managing Network Connections and Protocols

Using a Static IP Address

Using Credential Manager

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 5.5: Wireless Networking

Types of Wireless Networks

Wireless Networking Hardware and Terms

Connecting to a Wireless Network

Wireless Networking Troubleshooting

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 5: Case Study

Section 5: Review Questions

Section 6: Troubleshooting Your Computer

Lesson 6.1: Using Remote Desktop

Preparing to Use Remote Desktop

Opening Remote Desktop

Configuring Remote Desktop

Accessing a Computer Using Remote Desktop

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 6.2: Troubleshooting Your Computer with the Action Center

Opening the Action Center

Action Center Overview

Troubleshooting Your Computer

Using the Windows Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Using the Steps Recorder

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 6.3: Using System Configuration

Opening System Configuration

Using Preset Startup Options

Manually Modifying Services

Manually Modifying Startup Programs

Using System Configuration Tools

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 6.4: Refreshing and Resetting Your Computer

Refreshing Your Computer

Resetting Your Computer

Using Advanced Startup

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Lesson 6.5: Using System Restore

Creating a System Restore Point

Restoring Your Computer to an Earlier Time

Undoing a System Restore

Changing System Restore Settings

Step-By-Step

Skill Sharpener

Section 6: Case Study

Section 6: Review Questions

Index