setting Up windows 8

The first time you turn on a new computer running Windows 8, you are prompted to per- sonalize the background color of the Start screen, name your computer, and choose how you sign in to your computer, among other things. If a network is available, you can opt to connect to that, too. You might have already done this. However, if you have not, here is a list of the options you will likely see.

Tip If you have already set up your computer running Windows 8, it is possible to make changes to your choices using Control Panel and PC Settings if you aren’t pleased. You’ll learn how to access Control Panel later in this chapter, and you’ll learn about the PC Settings hub throughout this book.

The Windows 8 setup process prompts you to configure or input the following information.

▪    BACkgRound CoLoR  you choose the background color by using a slider provided for that purpose.

▪    CompuTER nAmE your computer must have a name that is unique on your local area network. you can’t have spaces or special characters in the name, such as !, @, +, and so on, but you are prompted if you try to input a character that is prohibited.

▪    nETwoRk  If your computer running windows 8 detects a network, you are prompted  to join it. If you want to join, and if it is a protected network, you must also input the pass- code. you should connect to your local area network during setup. If you aren’t prompted

to join a network during the setup process, but you know one is available, make sure after setup completes that you’ve either connected an Ethernet cable or enabled the wi-Fi feature on your computer.

▪    SETTingS these settings relate to how and when the computer installs updates; how windows 8 protects the computer from unsafe content; whether apps can personalize the

information offered through them based on your location, name, and account picture; how to share your data; and which keyboard settings to use. you can customize the

available settings or use Express Settings. Often Express Settings is fine; you can always

change the options later.

▪    miCRoSoFT ACCounT oR LoCAL uSER ACCounT   you choose how you want to  log on to your computer. If you have a Microsoft account and you want to access the data

already associated with it, such as apps you’ve acquired from the windows store or pho-       1

tos you’ve saved to skyDrive, or you want to sync settings (such as for Microsoft Internet

Explorer Favorites and desktop backgrounds) across other computers running windows 8, you should configure your Microsoft account during this step. You must have a Microsoft account to access and make purchases from the store. If you do not have an account or do not want to sync with your existing Microsoft account, choose a local account instead.

Tip If you configured a local user account during setup and now want to use a Microsoft account, you can make the change in PC Settings, from the Users tab.

▪    pASSwoRd  this is the password you enter to unlock your computer. If you input a Microsoft account during setup, input the password already associated with that account. If you created a local account during setup, you can create a password for that account

now. although creating a password for a local user account is not mandatory, you should input one. later, you can create other ways to unlock the computer, including using a picture password or a four-digit PIN (personal identification number).

▪    pASSwoRd HinT  this comprises a few words that you type to remind you of your password if you ever forget it.