1 Starting right

This computer is a powerful tool designed to enhance your work and entertainment. To get the most out of your computer, read this chapter to learn about best practices after setup, fun things to do with your computer, and where to go to get more resources.

Best practices

To get the most out of your smart investment, after you set up and register the computer, we recommend the following steps:

Take a minute to browse the printed Windows 8 Basics guide to explore your new Windows® features.

TIP: To quickly return to the computer Start screen from an open app or the desktop, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. Pressing the Windows logo key again will return you to the previous screen.

If you haven’t already done so, connect to a wired or wireless network. See details in Connecting to a network on page 13.

Become familiar with the computer hardware and software. Go to Getting to know your computer on page 3 and Enjoying entertainment features on page 18 for information.

Update or purchase antivirus software. Learn more at Using antivirus software on page 52.

Back up your hard drive by creating recovery discs or a recovery flash drive. See Backing up, restoring, and recovering on page 57.

Fun things to do

You know that you can watch a YouTube video on the computer. But did you know that you can also connect your computer to a TV or gaming console? See Connecting an HDMI device

on page 19.

You know you can listen to music on the computer. But did you know that you can also stream live radio to the computer and listen to music or talk radio from all over the world? See Using audio on page 18.

Use the TouchPad and the new Windows 8 touch gestures for smooth control of images and pages of text. See Using TouchPad gestures on page 22.

Best practices

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