Windows 7 for Dummies

My computer that was 4 years old died on me and when I searched for a new one I was shocked to see how almost all desktops now had Windows 8. My old computer was Windows Vista and the things I needed to do on the computer definitely showed I needed to find a computer with Windows 7. Luckily HP had some great ones to choose from. Before I made my final decision I got Windows for Dummies books out of the library for Windows 7 and 8 to compare. Thank God I was able to get a computer with Windows 7. And I loved the book so much that I purchased the book and dvd set to go with my new computer.I have some knowledge with computers but I greatly appreciated being guided through tasks most basic to those that I considered intermediate level. What is most helpful here is that each task is shown step by step and the reasons everything is being done is fully explained. You can then take that knowledge and build upon it with further tasks. I found the dvd to be great. I sat down and watched it straight through and then went and explored on my new computer, going back a couple of times for further clarification. The Dummies book is a valued encyclopedia now. It makes me see how many tasks were available on Vista that I never knew about. I got excited about things as simple as putting a photo of myself in place of my user icon. Never knew I could do that!The part of Windows I most often use is the Windows Media Center and this is the main reason I needed Windows 7. Windows 8 changes it all up totally. This book helped me greatly to work with music and video. The great thing as well is that this book never gathers dust on the shelf. Another task or topic always pops up that I need clarification or guidance on and to the book I go. Sometimes I need to get even more info on the computer but it always starts me on the right path.Huge kudos to Andy Rathbone for writing a book with information and guidance that works for computer newbies as well as people up to the intermediate level. Highly recommend.

First off I'm a little slow when it comes to technology. I somehow got left behind during the digital age.I received this brand new & sealed out of date copy, sold on Amazon as used. So I was very pleased about that! So 5 stars to the 3rd party seller!This is a tuff one to review! I could give it a 2, 3, or 4. I feel I'm being too kind if I give it a 4 star review! For me when I see a 3 star no way am I going to buy that. So maybe that's not fair either. Let me 1st say it depends on where you' re at concerning your level of computer dummieness. IMHO, it's way easier using the DVD than reading the same author's book. However, either I am the dumbest of the dummies or computer stuff is just that hard. It's written/ produced by geek people so a pc class at the local library might be easier. I don't understand why one such & such for Dummies is so thin on substance & another requires a degree. This topic is not without it's problems for sure. I bought it for my parents who are in their 80's. And because this DVD uses a different load/ menu style they can't even play it; Even though I had showed them how to play the different chapters during a visit. I do totally understand why they are having trouble playing it. It loads & plays in an outdated DVD rom menu style. So it's useless to them. Now I wish I'd kept it because with my old timers it's much nicer to refer to than using the book to jog my memory. Before I gave it to them I had studied, using it for a while. It usually involved repeating the chapter several times for me to get it. That's why I say produced by geek techs that don't relate well to average people. Or to me anyway!To conclude, it is an all inclusive Win 7 training course. It does cover everything in the book in a condensed & somewhat easier version. I believe you can find a more easily understandable training on You Tube. But, this usually involves lots of searching & wasted time. My parents cannot do that."A real review" by a son wishing he could help his elderly parents!

i had put off upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7--until my old computer quit on me, and I had to buy a new one. Because i knew how good the "for dummies" books are, I ordered Windows 7 for Dummies from Amazon, a few days ahead of buying the new machine, so it actually got here the day I brought the new machine in. I've had it for a couple of months now, so I don't actually consult the book every day, but in the beginning, I didn't make a move without looking it up. Even now, the book is just a hand reach away. Windows 7 for Dummies is built on the same format as all the "for dummies" books, so if you've read any of them, you know pretty much how they work. I own many of them--including a couple on the Kindle, but i wanted this one in hard copy so I didn't have to bring the Kindle up and change books every time i ran into a problem. i wanted to be able to lay the reference on my desk and refer back and forth from what I was seeing on my monitor back to the book. It's very easy to find the specific answer you need, so you don't have to wade around in a lot of stuff that you already knew. Once you are there, it's written in plain English, not nerd lingo. I thought I knew nothing about this terrifying new version of Windows (I'm 65), but once I started reading, I was amazed how much I did know. The writer, Andy Rathbone, often goes back to the way things were on XP and Visa and then tells you what they changed--and in many cases, it tells you what to click to get something that looks familiar. If you have Windows 7, you need this, even if you've had it awhile. The only problem is, now I want to upgrade my laptop as well.

The item was delivered very promptly and safely. I have not yet read the book but have watched all of the DVD. As an experinced user of XP it has taken away any fears I may have had of coping with Windows 7. There was not much new stuff to learn but it has given me confidence to begin to use my new laptop with Windows 7.

i have used the "dummies" books for most of my computer education, if like me computers frustrate the hell out of you i found this book very helpful, people from my generation grew up just as computers burst onto the scene, we did`nt really have them at school and i don`t have much use for them at work really, so i am stuck in the middle really, i use mine mainly for games and other bits, this book does help explain the extra features with windows 7 and how useful they can become, i have learnt how to deal with photos and store them, print them, and attach to e-mails, , it is in plain and simple english , not many technical bits and not much jargon is great, but as mrs b the is no real subdistute for just getting in and doing it, very,very,good for the computer unfriendly such as me , but i would have thought that most of you out there would have the experience of windows products by now not to need help

Okay at 61 I do not consider myself over the hill and average intel.so when I purchased a new Pc and Windows 7 I thought here we go for a full house,the book in itself is okay but the big problem about it is that there are no pictures to speak of,if I was teaching someone how to operate a new system by book I would have loads of good piccys to be a visual guide,I am one of those people who like to look at what I am learning not read it out with no visual signposts,this is what you should be looking at on your screen,look at the bottom right of the picture and you will see an icon like this click this icon and the page will change to Fig.2,if not and you have this on your screen you have probably done this.That is how I was taught and to me it works as you show what you should be seeing and what you may have done wrong,maybe I am to old school and I am wrong But the other book I bought was totally the other side of the river,loads of full colour piccys balloons with explanations the full Monty,I am not panning this book as I do not know enough of the subject matter, but if like me you want screen pictures in colour and all that well this is not the book you want,the book I bought which I find easier is Teach Yourself Visually Microsoft Windows 7,by Paul McFedries in softback.Full colour glossy pictures which you can read the screen captions and all the good stuff.If you prefer just reading about Win7 and no pictures then this book should do for you if you are a read only person,in the long run I need pictures as well as the written word,with this book you do get a DVD tutorial so I may be wrong as to the piccy side,Happy Computing.

Had to upgrade to a new computer, after a frustrating time with my old Laptop. Now I had to tackle windows 7 and transfer my old data. this book is easy to use and answers most questions easily. Excellent buy. Delivered before the given delivery date and in good condition. Haven,t used the DVD yet as I can;t find the tow hours to watch it but I should, to get the most out of this new operating system. I now see that Windows 8 is about to enter the ring but I will be sticking with what i,ve got.

Fairly simple instructions but sometimes the author does not appreciate just ho dumb I am.He assumes I remember what he covered a few chapters back but this is not always the case.Some cross referencing e.g.'see page n' would improve navigation.Overall it is a good guide and gets the job done. Definitely written in a user friendly style andI would recommend it to anyone new to windows 7