Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows XP in 24 Hours

By Greg Perry

• Table of Contents
  • Copyright
  • About the Author
  • Acknowledgments
  • Tell Us What You Think!
  • Introduction
  • Part I: Wake Up with Windows XP
  • Hour 1. Taking a Bird's-Eye Look at Windows XP
  • Hour 2. Getting Started with Windows XP
  • Hour 3. Managing the Windows XP Interface
  • Part II: Morning Windows Desktop Exploration
  • Hour 4. Working with the My Computer Window
  • Hour 5. Navigating Files with Windows Explorer
  • Hour 6. Calling for Help
  • Hour 7. Improving Your Windows Desktop Experience
  • Part III: Early Afternoon Windows Exploration
  • Hour 8. Installing Programs with Windows XP
  • Hour 9. Finding Files, Folders, and Friends
  • Hour 10. Using the Desktop Accessories
  • Part IV: Late Afternoon Internet Integration
  • Hour 11. Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer
  • Hour 12. Tying Windows into the Web
    • To Do: Listening to Internet Audio
    • Customizing the Explorer Bar
    • Instant Messaging with MSN Messenger
    • Using Messenger
    • MSN Messenger Is Flexible
    • Introducing the Internet Connection Firewall
    • Summary
    • Q&A
    • Workshop
  • Hour 13. Networking with Windows XP
  • Hour 14. Managing E-mail and Newsgroups with Outlook Express
  • Part V: An Evening with Advanced Windows
  • Hour 15. Exploring Your Hardware Interface
  • Hour 16. Understanding Printing and Fonts
  • Hour 17. Using Windows on the Road
  • Hour 18. Giving Windows XP a Tune-Up
  • Hour 19. Managing Your Hard Drives
  • Hour 20. Tinkering with the Advanced System Tools
  • Part VI: Having Fun at Nighttime
  • Hour 21. Using Media Player
  • Hour 22. Picturing Windows XP Graphics
  • Hour 23. Making Movies with Windows XP
  • Hour 24. Advanced Windows XP Tips
  • Part VII: Appendixes
  • Appendix A. Differences Between the Windows Home and Professional Edition
  • Appendix B. Glossary
  • Appendix C. Answers to Quizzes

Q&A

1. Do I need a Microsoft Passport to use MSN Messenger?

   Yes. By signing up for a free Microsoft Passport, you gain access to a free Hotmail account, instant messaging with MSN Messenger, and even computer-to-telephone communications. (Hour 14, "Managing E-mail and Newsgroups with Outlook Express," explains how to send and retrieve your Hotmail e-mail without using Internet Explorer so that you can more easily manage your messages.) Microsoft hopes to use Passport accounts in other ways as well. In the future, if you want to purchase a product directly from Microsoft or any other Passport-enabled vendor, you will be able to give the vendor your Passport sign-in name without having to type your mailing information because the Passport, with your permission, will supply it.

2. What is a firewall?

   A firewall helps guard your Internet connection from unauthorized access. Firewalls are not perfect, but for always-on Internet connections, they greatly hinder hacker attacks. The settings can be tedious, but you can fine-tune them so that, over time, you provide a customized interface between your computer and the rest of the world. That way, your computer has full access to others, but others do not have full access to your computer.

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