Windows 8 For Dummies

by Andy Rathbone

The bestselling tech book of all time, now updated for Windows 8 Microsoft Windows is the operating system that runs nearly 90 percent of the world's computers. Windows 8 will offer new interface updates, cloud-based services, and much more. This update of Andy Rathbone's bestselling Windows guide covers all the basics, plus the enhancements unique to Windows 8. Whether you're meeting Windows for the first time or upgrading from an earlier version, this book shows you how to navigate the interface, work with files, browse the Internet, set up e-mail, manage media, and more.

Combined editions of this book, all by Microsoft MVP Andy Rathbone, have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, making Windows For Dummies the #1 bestselling technology book of all time Covers all the basics of using Windows 8--core desktop components, managing files and folders, saving files, using Windows search, printing, and working in the cloud Shows how to get online, set up and use e-mail, use the latest version of Internet Explorer, set up security and virus protection, add music to the media player, organize photos, and edit media Includes coverage on using Windows 8's new start screen on both a desktop computer and a touchscreen device Windows 8 For Dummies has what all Windows newbies need to know as well as complete coverage of the new version's bells and whistles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Technology, How To

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Born in San Diego, California, Andy Rathbone began writing for newspapers in the early 80s. He started freelancing articles to computer magazines soon after, then began writing the "Windows For Dummies" series in 1992. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages worldwide.

He's since written more than 50 books, with more than 15 million copies in print. Recent books include Windows 8.1 For Dummies, Surface For Dummies, and Windows 8 Tablets For Dummies.

His latest book, the second edition of Windows 10 For Dummies, is available as of November 2016.

Reviews

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since our computer that ran my beloved Windows 7 died on Sunday, we had to go out on Monday and make an emergency purchase of a new computer because I work online and I am taking grad school classes while my daughter takes classes online too. The new computer has Windows 8 and I am still reeling from the shock of this new OS. Help! I'm drowning. Help!

My husband and daughter let me set things up on our computers (thanks, guys) so it was me versus Windows 8 and it looked like Windows 8 was going to take me down. It certainly had me cursing like a sailor which I ordinarily don't do. My husband was so shocked he rushed out and bought this for me.

Now, this is the portable edition but it was all he could find in Staples so I did some serious power reading and learned quite a bit and have actually got things set up pretty well though it was a mighty struggle. This book is not complete so I have ordered a lot of Windows 8 books from the library as well as some Office 2013/Word 2013 books because I had been using Word/Office 2007 for years and they don't sell it anymore so I now also have Office/Word 2013 to learn as well.

This is a good place to start if you are desperate and hysterical like I was and confronted with needing to do things on a new computer right now without knowing how to operate the new system but you will want additional resources as this is not complete.

[Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good idea to consult a book like this to get used to Windows 8, but there are a lot of questions it doesn't answer. Still, go get you started, it's not a bad resource.

[James Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that you can find a solution to most any Windows 8 issue on line or under "help" within the program, but sometimes I just like to take the book and sit down and look up the subject and perhaps browse some other related topics. That is why I think it is a crime that Microsoft and others sell you a disk for more than a hundred dollars (it costs them pennies to make it) and don't provide a comprehensive manual with it. I know you can also get you-tube tutorials for Windows 8 on line, but at the risk of being old fashion, I just think seeing it in print and underlining something you think is important and rereading it. For me knowing you can pull the book down from your library at any time and review it is more satisfying.
I find this book a good reference. An attempt to make it easy to read is obvious, and the index is comprehensive. Now that later additions of Windows is out you should be able to get this book used at a fair price.
If you are upgrading to Windows 8 it can be traumatic without a manual like this one because of all the arbitrary changes MS made in the basic platform. I said I finished this book, but it is really an on-going process since it is a reference as well as an introduction to the the program.

By the way....we are all "dummies" when we first get a new program like this.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good tidbits on using Windows 8 but written as if for someone who doesn't know much about windows at all. Would have loved a windows 8 for win7 users. But it was a for dummies book so I should have expected that. It's also a bit out of date now especially since the updates from windows 8.1

[Sharada Prasad · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a decent book to get you started. More useful for people who have no understanding or previous experience with Windows!

The book does not cover any administrative tasks!

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was helpful with some things, but I had questions that weren't addressed. To many things they must have thought I already knew.