New books: Windows 7 Annoyances, The Missing Manual

Windows 7 may be faster and more stable than Vista, but it’s a far cry from problem-free. David A. Karp comes to the rescue with the latest in his popular Windows Annoyances series. This thorough guide gives you the tools you need to fix the troublesome parts of this operating system, plus the solutions, hacks, and timesaving tips to make the most of your PC.

  • Streamline Windows Explorer, improve the Search tool, eliminate the Green Ribbon of Death, and tame User Account Control prompts
  • Explore powerful Registry tips and tools, and use them to customize every aspect of Windows and solve its shortcomings
  • Squeeze more performance from your hardware with solutions for your hard disk, laptop battery, CPU, printers, and more
  • Stop crashes, deal with stubborn hardware and drivers, fix video playback issues, and troubleshoot Windows when it won’t start
  • Protect your stuff with permissions, encryption, and shadow copies
  • Secure and speed up your wireless network, fix networking woes, make Bluetooth functional, and improve your Web experience
  • Get nearly all of the goodies in 7 Ultimate, no matter which edition you have.

In early reviews, geeks raved about Windows 7. But if you’re an ordinary mortal, learning what this new system is all about will be challenging. Fear not: David Pogue’s Windows 7: The Missing Manual comes to the rescue. Like its predecessors, this book illuminates its subject with reader-friendly insight, plenty of wit, and hardnosed objectivity for beginners as well as veteran PC users.

Windows 7 fixes many of Vista’s most painful shortcomings. It’s speedier, has fewer intrusive and nagging screens, and is more compatible with peripherals. Plus, Windows 7 introduces a slew of new features, including better organization tools, easier WiFi connections and home networking setup, and even touchscreen computing for those lucky enough to own the latest hardware.

With this book, you’ll learn how to:

  • Navigate the desktop, including the fast and powerful search function
  • Take advantage of Window’s apps and gadgets, and tap into 40 free programs
  • Breeze the Web with Internet Explorer 8, and learn the email, chat, and videoconferencing programs
  • Record TV and radio, display photos, play music, and record any of these to DVD using the Media Center
  • Use your printer, fax, laptop, tablet PC, or smartphone with Windows 7
  • Beef up your system and back up your files
  • Collaborate and share documents and other files by setting up a workgroup network.

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