Windows 8.1 For Dummies

This book the Windows 8.1 For Dummies is a superb book for so many reasons. First, it is written by Andy Rathbone, who has been writing many of the "For Dummies" computer books since 1992, his style of writing is interesting, very easy to follow, and even witty. This book is a wonderful book for anyone wanting to learn Windows 8.1 and if you are a beginner, or even a more seasoned computer user, this is a superb book. Although I am not a newbie to Windows or computers, I wanted to learn what the new features are in Windows 8.1 are and should I upgrade etc). Hence I purchased this book and am so glad that I did!What first impressed me about this book is that the book is for the Windows 8.1 beginner or even a seasoned Windows 8.0 user who wants to learn "what is new and better in Windows 8.1 and should I upgrade etc..PROS:-- Each chapter is like a mini lesson on Windows 8.1. These bring you to the most common things that you want to do in Windows 8.1 such as this I found in Chapter 22 on page 380 called Skip the Start Screen (how to boot to the Desktop (like in Windows 7) If this change is made then EVERY TIME Windows 8.1 starts the DESKTOP will appear rather than the START SCREEN. This chapter showed me how to do this. And there are illustrations of the menu selections so I knew what to check etc.Also, in Chapter One, this book explains about why 8.1 has so many advantages and gives more info on the upgrade info. It also describes the improvements in Windows 8.1 over Windows 8.0.-- Even though this is a beginner type of book, it also serves as reference book. Since I have finished reading the areas (new things about Windows 8.1), what I am doing is when I want to know something new, I look it up in the INDEX, as this is much faster to find it rather then sifting though chapters etc.-- In every chapter, he gives important info that is easy to learn and to follow without being boring!If you are a newbie on Windows 8 or especially 8.1, this book I believe will serve you well.Highly recommend this book!

I was tempted to give the book just one star but I am really not sure WHERE the problem is. Maybe it is a FEATURE of 8.1.I am talking about the MAIL application. I found it absolutely useless, I was not able to send a single email while I have no problems to send email (many of them) daily from my Windows Mail Live that comes with Windows 7.This is BASIC. Many people use only email on the internet and do not bother with browsing all the current websites completely overwhelmed by ads. True, the MAIL app on Windows 8.1 does not have ads but is completely mysterious.I also look through Google at the same object (the mail app) but I did not find anything better than this book.Microsoft does not directly support the POP email but one can somehow 'simulate it' under Windows 8.1. I managed to install it but, as I say, I cannot really use it. I have now three emails: the native Microsoft stuff that presumably does a lot of things, a Google account that behaves strangely (I do NOT use it under Windows 7) and a simulation of my POP account with my local TV provider (charter.net).I am sorry, Mr. Rathbone, you may have done the best you could but the chapter about mail (email) is completely useless.There is, however, one stupid thing in the book: in 2015 no one over the age 30 needs explanation how to cut and paste. That started long, long time ago.Read the book but it may be a waste of money - very similar information is available for free on the internet. As a e-book it sells for the usual high price of some $13, still less than driving into a distant bookstore and buy it as a traditional book.

I have never bought a “… for Dummies Book” for any subject before. But I had ordered this book from Amazon after seeing the user interface on my new computer which (unfortunately) runs Windows 8.1. It was a total shocker to me, even though I have used every kind of Windows based computer in the past twenty years. I don’t necessarily like everything in Windows, but at least I am used to it and I know my way around to find what I need and to solve problems when I get them. But Windows 8.1 is something else… It is totally different! It would have been easier to switch to Apple-OS from Windows-7 instead of switching to Windows-8. What were those idiots thinking at Microsoft?To make my point clearer, I will insert a pair of quotes from the book:“If you are happy with your current version of Windows, don’t bother upgrading … avoid the chore of figuring out a new version. Windows 8 comes with a particularly steep learning curve because it’s quite different from earlier Windows versions …”“Windows 8 tries to please two camps of computer owners.See, some people are mostly consumers. They read e-mail, watch videos, listen to music, and browse the web, … , they are consuming media (and popcorn).Other people are mostly creators. They write papers, prepare tax returns, update blogs, edit videos, or, quite often, tap whichever keys their boss requires that day.”It should be obvious by now that I completely agree with everything the author said about Windows 8.1. Even if you are in the second group of computer owners mentioned above (like me) you may find yourself stuck with a fancy new machine running Windows 8.1. If so, you should buy this book. The book will lessen the pain of coping with Windows 8.1, and will save you countless hours of wasted time and frustration.I found the book quite readable, even though it is more useful as a reference book. Living up to its title, it will explain many things in unnecessary detail. But that’s easily skipped. The organization is excellent, and finding what you need is not difficult at all.

Being computer illiterate and having bought a new computer and forced into Windows 8, I nearly understood "Windows 8 for Dummies". Quickly updated to Windows 8.1 and bought this book - thank goodness! Not only have Windows upgraded their Windows 8, but reinstated obvious omissions and crammed the programme with wonderful additions which I can only enjoy through Andy Rathbone's informative and amusing, step by step instructions for 8.1. Don't know about the "Windows 8.1 for Senior Dummies", but being definitely in that class, this edition will certainly do for me.

My new laptop uses this operating system. I've worked my way around it now as its quite different to Windows 7, which I think is near to perfection for an operating system that Microsoft can devize for its Windows platform. This guide is a great help that takes you through some of the changes from what you have gotten used to over the years. A lot of it is change for change's sake to justify a new product in my view. Apart from its new Touchscreen facility I would cheerfully revert to W7, but we are where we are so I'm determined to stick it out, and learn to love and appreciate this unwanted visitor.But when you do get stuck in a trance, wondering what to do next, then this is your essential guide to point out the patently obvious - to Microsoft anyway. Windows 8.1 is here to stay therefore 'Windows 8.1 For Dummies' is essential reading.

Just what an 80yr old lady needs to work out how her new laptop works. Quite a leap from her 1999 Time Computer's Windows 98 Laptop!She can now email, add attachments, Open and Save photos, do Group mailing, surf the Net, check the news and weather . . . . most of which are activities she once scorned.And she has not asked for help from me - I can't help any way as I am still using Vista!The book is invaluable because she can find things for herself - the information is clear, easy to understand, and, better still, easy to find.Well worth the money - and it leaves me free to get on with my own activities - editing the Villages' Magazine, writing and researching in my specialism of Liturgy, and composing, using Sibelius.

Let's be clear,Windows 8.1 is not easy to fathom even for those of us who think we are reasonably computer literate.Being forced to adopt it with a new PC for my daughter, this Dummies guide has proven indispensable as a reference when, all too frequently, we struggled to figure out ' how to' .Very important to make sure that you buy this for Windows 8.1, not the earlier 8.0 which has its own guide and is different in several important ways.Overall, highly recommend this for anyone having to face getting familiar with Windows 8.1.

As a long term user of Windows XP I was most disappointed with a new computer purchase which came preloaded with Windows 8.1. The Windows 8.1 for Dummies starts with a statement that if you are satisfied with your current system, think carefully before upgrading to 8.1, wise advice!I have found the book helpful in getting to grips with the new system, but the real breakthrough came with downloading free software to avoid Microsoft's own Apps, designed to shoehorn you into dependence on their own software. Roll on Windows 9