Introduction xix
Chapter 1 Windows Operating Systems Overview 1
Discovering the History of Windows 1
DOS—The Precursor 2
Windows 3.1—The GUI 4
Windows Evolution 7
Understanding the OS Architecture 8
The Layers in Windows 8
Windows Compared to Other Systems 13
Identifying Windows Interfaces 14
Using the GUI Interface 14
Using the Command Prompt Interface 17
Using Windows PowerShell 18
The Essentials and Beyond 19
Chapter 2 Installing Windows 23
Exploring OS Editions 23
Comparing Windows Editions 23
Defining System Requirements 26
Using the PC Upgrade Advisor 27
Planning Clean Installs vs. Upgrades 28
Understanding Upgrade Paths 29
Considering Application Compatibility 30
Planning for Upgrades 32
Planning for Clean Installs 32
Understanding Installation Types 33
Installing from Removable Media 33
Performing Network-Based Installations 37
Managing Product Identification Keys 37
Using Virtualized Installations 38
Introducing Virtualization 38
Application Virtualization 40
Using Windows Virtual PC 40
Using Third-Party Virtualization Software 42
Understanding Windows XP Mode 43
The Essentials and Beyond 43
Chapter 3 Managing the Desktop 45
Understanding Desktop Features 45
Exploring the Desktop 45
Using the Desktop Configuration Interfaces 48
Start Menu Settings 48
Taskbar Settings 50
Notification Area Settings 53
Understanding User Profiles and Desktop Relationships 55
Working with Gadgets 56
Adding Gadgets to the Desktop 56
Configuring Gadgets 57
Installing and Removing Gadgets 58
Changing Display Settings 59
Configuring the Screen Resolution 59
Configuring Screen Magnification 60
Using Multiple Display Devices 61
Creating Shortcuts 61
Creating a New Desktop Shortcut 61
Modifying a Shortcut 63
Adding System Icons to the Desktop 64
Configuring the Aero Interface 65
Understanding the Aero Features 65
Using Aero Themes 66
Configuring Aero Settings 67
The Essentials and Beyond 68
Chapter 4 Using Native Applications 71
Using the Traditional Tools 71
Editing Text 71
Working with Images 78
Performing Calculations 79
Working with Internet Explorer 80
Exploring the Browser Interface 80
Using the Tools Menu 82
Creating Screenshots 83
Using the Print Screen Button 84
Working with the Snipping Tool 84
Using Media Applications 85
Understanding Media Applications 85
Configuring Windows Media Player 86
Viewing Configuration Settings 87
Using MSCONFIG 88
Using System Information 89
PowerShell and Command Prompt Information Gathering 90
The Essentials and Beyond 90
Chapter 5 Managing with the Control Panel 93
Understanding Applets . 93
Defining a Control Panel Applet . 93
Exploring the Available Applets 94
Configuring Administrative Tools 99
Understanding the Administrative Tools Applet 99
Working with the Administrative Tools 100
Configuring Accessibility 105
Windows Accessibility Features 105
Using the Ease of Access Center 106
Using Important Applets 107
Configuring Default Programs 107
Using the Power Management Tools 110
Understanding the System Applet 112
The Essentials and Beyond 113
Chapter 6 Mobility and Remote Management 115
Understanding Mobility 115
Using the Sync Center 115
Using Windows Mobility Center 116
Using Remote Desktop 118
Enabling Remote Desktop 118
Connecting to Remote Desktop 118
Using Remote Assistance 119
Enabling and Configuring Remote Assistance 119
Requesting Assistance 120
Responding to a Request 120
Understanding the MMC 121
Exploring the MMC Interface 121
Creating Custom Consoles 122
Working with Windows PowerShell 123
Understanding Cmdlets 124
Executing Remote Commands 125
The Essentials and Beyond 126
Chapter 7 Managing Applications 129
Planning for Local and Network Applications 129
Using Localized Applications 129
Using Networked Applications 130
Installing, Configuring, and Removing Applications 131
Understanding Installation Methods 132
Configuring Applications 133
Removing Applications 134
Using Group Policy for Application Control 136
Restricting Application Installation 136
Disabling Access to Removable Media 139
Deploying Applications with Group Policy 140
Understanding Application Virtualization 142
Understanding Med-V 142
Understanding VDI 144
The Difference between Services and Standard Applications 145
Defining Services 145
Configuring Service Settings 150
Managing Service Accounts 152
Understanding Service Dependencies 154
Stopping, Starting, and Restarting Services 155
The Essentials and Beyond 157
Chapter 8 Controlling Malware 159
Understanding Malware Types 159
Understanding Viruses and Worms 159
Defining Trojans and Backdoors 161
Avoiding Phishing Attacks 161
Planning for Malware Protection 162
Security Defined 163
Configuring and Using UAC 167
Selecting Anti-Malware Solutions 171
Protecting the Windows Registry 172
Understanding Microsoft Protection Methods 173
Working with the Action Center 174
Understanding the Malicious Software Removal Tool 175
Using Windows Defender 176
Using Microsoft Security Essentials 177
Understanding Microsoft Forefront 178
The Essentials and Beyond 179
Chapter 9 File Management 181
Understanding Filesystems 181
Exploring the Purpose of a Filesystem 181
Comparing Windows Filesystems 182
Contrasting 32-Bit and 64-Bit Systems 184
Working with Encryption 185
Encrypting Files and Folders 185
Understanding BitLocker Encryption 189
Managing Encryption Keys 190
Using Compression 190
Using Libraries 191
Library Features and Functionality 192
Organizing with Libraries 193
Creating a New Library 195
Configuring Library Properties 196
The Essentials and Beyond 198
Chapter 10 Network Shares 201
Planning for File Sharing 201
Understanding Network Hardware 201
Understanding TCP/IP 202
Working with Network Types 205
Participating in a Workgroup 207
Creating a New Homegroup 208
Joining a Windows Domain 211
Creating File Shares 212
Creating Share Types 212
Mapping Drives 215
Understanding NTFS and Share Permissions 217
Understanding Authentication and Authorization 217
Comparing NTFS and Share Permissions 219
Creating Share Permissions 222
Creating NTFS Permissions 222
Sharing Printers 223
Creating Printer Shares 223
Managing Printer Shares 224
Providing Printer Drivers 225
The Essentials and Beyond 226
Chapter 11 Device Management 229
Understanding Device Drivers 229
Defining Device Drivers 229
Locating and Downloading Drivers 230
Installing Third-Party Software 233
Using the Device Manager 234
Exploring Plug-and-Play Operations 237
Understanding Plug-and-Play Features 237
Defining the Plug-and-Play Process 239
Connecting and Managing Devices 240
Initial Device Installation 240
Updating Drivers 241
Creating a Driver List 242
Printers 243
Comparing Local and Network Printers 243
Connecting and Disconnecting Printers 243
Using Print Queues 245
Printing to a File 246
Internet Printing 248
System Devices 248
Understanding Multimedia Devices 248
Using Input Devices 249
Exploring System Board Chipsets 250
The Essentials and Beyond 251
Chapter 12 Storage Management 255
Data Storage Concepts 255
Selecting Hard Drives for Your Computers 256
Choosing a Filesystem 259
Understanding Networked Storage 260
Using DFS 261
Understanding RAID 263
Identifying Storage Technologies 267
Understanding Disk Types 268
Basic and Dynamic Disks 268
Virtual Hard Disks 270
Optical Media 271
Using Online Storage 271
Microsoft Online Storage Solutions 272
Third-Party Online Storage Solutions 273
The Essentials and Beyond 274
Chapter 13 Windows Troubleshooting 277
Troubleshooting Processes 277
REACT 278
OSI Model 283
The Hardware/Software Model 288
Symptom, Diagnosis, and Solution 289
Systems Thinking 290
Using Disk Defragmenter 292
Working with the Defragmenter GUI 292
Using the DEFRAG Command Prompt Tool 292
Using Defraggler 294
Performing a Disk Cleanup 295
Using the Disk Cleanup Tool 295
Searching for Large Files 296
Scheduling Tasks 297
Accessing Additional Troubleshooting Tools 298
Using Event Viewer 299
Task Manager 301
Resource Monitor 303
The Essentials and Beyond 305
Chapter 14 Backup and Recovery 307
Planning for Backups 307
Comparing Backup Methods and Tools 308
Understanding Backup Options 314
The Backup Planning Process 315
Testing Recovery Processes 316
Documenting the Recovery Process 316
Performing Periodic Tests 316
Updating the Recovery Process 317
Working with System Restore 317
Understanding System Restore 317
Creating Restore Points 319
Reverting to a Restore Point 320
Selecting Third-Party Backup Software 321
Determining Backup Needs 321
Evaluating and Selecting Solutions 322
Using Recovery Boot Options 323
Understanding the Boot Menu 323
Booting to the Last Known Good Configuration 324
Using Safe Mode Options 325
The Essentials and Beyond 325
Chapter 15 Windows Update 327
Understanding Hotfixes and Service Packs 327
Microsoft’s Recommended Update Life Cycle 327
Hotfixes, Service Packs, and Update Terminology 329
Planning for Windows Update and Microsoft Update 330
Updating with Windows Update 332
Using Windows Server Update Service 336
The Essentials and Beyond 341
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 343
Chapter 1 343
Chapter 2 344
Chapter 3 344
Chapter 4 345
Chapter 5 345
Chapter 6 346
Chapter 7 347
Chapter 8 348
Chapter 9 348
Chapter 10 349
Chapter 11 350
Chapter 12 350
Chapter 13 351
Chapter 14 352
Chapter 15 352
Appendix B Microsoft's Certif ication Program 355
Certification Objectives Map 356
Index 361