The bestselling guide—now in a new edition A computer provides a great resource for learning new things and keeping in touch with family and friends, but it may seem intimidating at first. The bestselling Computers For Seniors For Dummies is here to help the 50+ set conquer and overcome any uncertainty with clear-cut, easy-to-understand guidance on how to confidently navigate your computer and the Windows 10 operating system. Featuring large text and images, it's never been easier for seniors to smoothly click their way around a new PC.
Even if you don't know a mouse from a megabyte, this book walks you through all the steps to choosing, setting up, and successfully using your new computer. Begin with learning how to turn the computer on and use the keyboard, and from there you'll progress to effortlessly finding your way around the new Windows 10 operating system. Explore all you can do with a computer:
- Research topics of interest
- Keep in touch with loved ones
- Shop securely online
- Find recipes and diet tips
If you've just purchased your first computer and need a plain-English introduction to getting started, Computers For Seniors For Dummies has you covered.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 1
Beyond the Book 2
Where to Go from Here 2
Part 1: Get Going! 3
Chapter 1: Buying a Computer 5
Understand All You Can Do with Computers 6
Get an Overview of Hardware 9
Appreciate Software 10
Pick a Desktop: Tower or All-in-One? 11
Choose a Laptop 12
Select a Version of Windows 13
Determine Your Price Range 14
Understand Displays 16
Explore Storage Options 17
Choose Features for Faster Performance 18
Determine How You’ll Connect to the Internet 19
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Computer 21
Connect the Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse 22
Log In to Windows 10 23
Use the Mouse 25
Work with a Touchscreen 26
Use Shortcuts 27
Set the Date and Time 27
Create a New User Account 29
Switch User Accounts 31
Shut Down Your Computer 31
Chapter 3: Getting Around Windows 10 33
Get an Overview of Windows 10 34
Work with the Desktop 36
Display the Start Menu 38
Use Task View to See Open Apps 39
Use the Snap Feature to Organize Apps on the Desktop 40
Search for Files and Web Content with Cortana 42
Explore the Action Center 43
Find a File or Open an Application with File Explorer 44
Work with Windows 10 Using a Touchscreen 45
Create Additional Desktops 46
View All Apps in the Start Menu 47
Empty the Recycle Bin 48
Add an App to the Start Menu 50
Create a Desktop Shortcut 50
Resize Windows 51
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Display 53
Customize the Appearance of Windows 54
Set Your Screen’s Resolution 55
Change the Desktop Background and Color 56
Change the Lock Screen Picture 58
Change Your Account Picture 59
Choose a Desktop Theme 62
Set Up a Screen Saver 63
Name Tile Groups 64
Rearrange Tiles in the Start Menu 65
Resize Tiles 65
Chapter 5: Getting Help with Vision, Hearing, and Dexterity Challenges 67
Use Tools for the Visually Challenged 68
Replace Sounds with Visual Cues 71
Make Text Larger or Smaller 72
Set Up Speech Recognition 73
Modify How Your Keyboard Works 76
Use the Onscreen Keyboard Feature 78
Set Up Keyboard Repeat Rates 79
Customize Mouse Behavior 81
Change the Cursor 82
Make Your Touch Visible 83
Chapter 6: Setting Up Printers and Scanners 85
Install a Printer 86
Add a Printer Manually 87
Set a Default Printer 90
Set Printer Preferences 92
View Currently Installed Printers 94
Remove a Printer 96
Modify Scanner Settings 97
Chapter 7: Connecting with Cortana 99
Get an Overview of Cortana 100
Set Up Cortana 101
Set Up Cortana’s Notebook 104
Interact with Cortana 105
Set Reminders 107
Search with Cortana 108
Identify Music with Cortana 110
Part 2: Getting Things Done with Software 111
Chapter 8: Working with Software Programs 113
Launch a Program 114
View Open Apps in Task View 116
Close an App 117
Move Information between Programs 117
Set Program Defaults 119
Uninstall a Program 121
Chapter 9: Working with Files and Folders 123
Understand How Windows Organizes Data 124
Access Recently Used Items 127
Locate Files and Folders on Your Computer with File Explorer 128
Work with the View Ribbon 130
Search with Cortana 131
Move a File or Folder 132
Rename a File or Folder 134
Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder 136
Delete a File or Folder 137
Create a Compressed File or Folder 138
Add a Folder to Your Quick Access List 140
Back Up Files 142
Chapter 10: Working with Windows Apps 145
Get Up to Speed with the News App 146
Display Weather Views 150
Specify a Place in Weather 152
Add a Contact 153
Edit Contact Information 156
Send Email to Contacts 157
Add an Event to Your Calendar 159
Invite People to an Event 162
Use the Maps App 163
Set Your Location 163
Show Traffic 164
Get Directions 166
Work with Paint 168
Discover Paint 3D 170
Part 3: Going Online 173
Chapter 11: Understanding Internet Basics 175
Understand What the Internet Is 176
Explore Different Types of Internet Connections 178
Set Up a Wi-Fi Internet Connection 181
Practice Navigation Basics with the Microsoft Edge App 183
Use Other Browsers 184
Understand Tabs in Browsers 186
Understand Start and Home Pages 187
Set Up a Home Page in Microsoft Edge 188
Chapter 12: Browsing the Web 191
Learn More about Microsoft Edge 192
Search the Web 194
Search the Web with Cortana 196
Use Reading View 198
Find Content on a Web Page 199
Add Your Own Notes to a Web Page 200
Add a Web Page to the Reading List 201
Pin a Tab 202
Add a Website to Favorites and Create a Folder 203
Use Favorites 204
View Your Browsing History 205
View Your Reading List 207
Print a Web Page 208
Adjust Microsoft Edge Settings 209
Chapter 13: Staying Safe While Online 213
Understand Technology Risks on the Internet 214
Use Suggested Content 217
Download Files Safely 219
Use InPrivate Browsing 221
Use SmartScreen Filter 222
Change Privacy Settings 223
Understand Information Exposure 224
Keep Your Information Private 227
Spot Phishing Scams and Other Email Fraud 229
Create Strong Passwords 231
Chapter 14: Keeping in Touch with Mail 235
Sign Up for an Internet-Based Email Account 236
Set Up Accounts in the Mail App 238
Get to Know Mail 241
Open Mail and Receive Messages 243
Create and Send Email 245
Send an Attachment 247
Read a Message 248
Reply to a Message 250
Forward Email 252
Make Account Settings in Mail 253
Chapter 15: Working in the Cloud 257
Use Applications Online 258
Understand How OneDrive Works with the Cloud 260
Add Files to OneDrive Online 262
Share a Folder or File Using OneDrive 264
Create a New OneDrive Folder 265
Turn On the Sync Feature 266
Choose Which Settings You Want to Sync 268
Chapter 16: Connecting with People Online 269
Use Discussion Boards and Blogs 270
Participate in a Chat 273
Understand Instant Messages 274
Explore Skype and Add Contacts 276
Send and Receive Instant Messages in Skype 278
Make a Call 279
Use a Webcam 281
Get an Overview of Collaborative and Social Networking Sites 283
Sign Up for a Social Networking Service 284
Understand How Online Dating Works 287
Select a Dating Service 288
Play Games Online 289
Part 4: Having Fun 291
Chapter 17: Getting Visual: Using the Video, Photos, and Camera Apps 293
Get an Overview of Media Apps 294
Find Movies and TV Shows in the Store 296
Play Movies and TV Shows 298
Stream Videos from Other Sources 301
Upload Photos and Videos from Your Digital Camera or Smartphone 302
Take Photos with the Camera App 303
Retrieve Photos from a Phone 304
Record Videos with the Camera App 305
View Photos in the Photos App 307
Edit Photos 309
Share a Photo 311
Run a Slide Show in the Photos App 312
Chapter 18: Playing Music in Windows 10 315
Set Up Speakers 316
Adjust System Volume 318
Use Windows Media Player to Rip Music 319
Find Music in the Store 321
Buy Music 323
Search for Music with Cortana 324
Create a Playlist 325
Play Music 328
Part 5: Windows Toolkit 331
Chapter 19: Working with Networks 333
Join a Homegroup 334
Make a Connection to a Network 335
Specify What You Want to Share over a Network 336
Set Up a Wireless Network 338
Make Your Computer Discoverable via Bluetooth 340
Connect to Bluetooth Devices 341
Go Online Using Your Cellular Network 342
Chapter 20: Protecting Windows 345
Understand Computer Security 346
Use Other Software Protection 347
Understand Windows Update Options 348
Check for Windows Updates 349
Enable Windows Firewall 351
Run a Scan with Windows Defender 353
Change Your Password 354
Allow Firewall Exceptions 356
Chapter 21: Maintaining Windows 359
Shut Down a Nonresponsive Application 360
Create a System Restore Point 361
Restore Your PC 363
Reset Your PC 365
Optimize a Hard Drive 367
Free Disk Space 368
Index 371
About the Author :
Nancy C. Muir is the owner of a writing and consulting company that specializes in business and technology topics. She is the author of over 100 books on technology and business topics, and has taught technical writing and online safety at the college level.
