Windows 8.1 Bible

Since the introduction of Windows 8, followed by what is little more than a service pack update that restored (sort of) the Windows Start button and that turned 8.1 into a tolerable (with tweaking) operating system, I've been through about every user experience with this operating system's upgrade path. These include:-Desktop upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7 (planned)-Laptop upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7 (totally unplanned...but a Hail Mary after a factory restore went totally FUBAR)-Netbook upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7 (with the twin challenges of no optical drive and hardware on the very edge of system minimums for WIndows 8-Later upgrades of each of these to Windows 8.1 (along with a laptop that shipped with Windows 8).The "Windows 8.1" is comprehensive reference for both experienced Windows tweakers and those being forced to the 8/8.1 experience after the purchase of new hardware running Windows 8.1. Its over 900 pages are organized into 9 sections of categorical content, plus a four-part appendix and a very comprehensive index.The authors do an excellent job of balancing the handholding that less technically savvy users may need with the more advanced skills that experienced alpha geeks may bring to the table. The early chapters of the book offer excellent advice on understanding (and often, overcoming) the new interface quirks of Windows 8 and 8.1 that frustrated many users during their early interaction with this operating system.Even though I seldom refer to them, during the most challenging times of operating system "issues", a strong reference at your fingertips can help you navigate to a solution. This book can serve that purpose. And if you only have room on your bookshelf for one Windows 8.1 reference book: this is one of your candidate volumes.

This book is a very thorough treatment of Wndows 8.1, with one glaring exception in my opinion, i.e., like most books of this nature the Index leaves much to be desired.A very technical book like this needs a really detailed Index in order to be effectively used by someone looking for an explanation of, or solution to, a specific process or problem. This is where a really comprehensive Index can be a godsend. Someone in a hurry doesn't need (or want) to have to read through page after page of overwhelming detail in the main part of the book - they need to go to an Index that specifically points to their issue or problem and gets them to the answer or solution in a hurry.This book doesn't have that.That having been said, the book is very comprehensive (other than the Index),m ands is a very good reference book for a Windows 8/8.1 user to have on the shelf.

Very disappointing.To begin with, I downgraded the star rating because this book represents itself to be far beyond the reality of what it is. The cover of the "Windows 8.1 Bible" states that it is a Comprehensive Resource. Relative to other books I have on Windows 8.1 and all Windows Operating System books I have read dating back to Windows 95, comprehensive is an exaggeration. Furthermore, the back of the book states that it is written for "Beginners to Advanced Users". I cannot envision an advanced user making frequent use of this book. Had the book represented itself to be Windows 8.1 "Basics for Beginners to Intermediate", I would have rated it 3 stars, as further explained below, and furthermore, I would not have purchased this book.As a Basics book, the TOC is generous. However, the index for a reference manual is inadequate, as any publisher/author should know and also accounts for a deduction in star rating. Try using a reference manual of 900+ pages that has too few keywords to time-efficiently pinpoint the page number you need. Otherwise, there are far too many omissions for: troubleshooting the Operating System; resolving performance issues unique to Win 8.1; details and changes in system services; any changes to advanced system management tools; any changes to advanced Windows components and their use, and on and on.

This book was informative for any new users. I believe there should be a version that is for more experienced users that would make more sense and not have to read through all the "newbie" language. I plan on getting a different book that has more in-depth information but this is a great start to someone that doesn't know much about Windows.

Very good source on Windows 8.1. It's so large that it's not something you would normally read from cover to cover, more of a reference. However I am going to eventually read the whole thing since there is so much useful information in it. It really is like a bible.

This book is essential to try to figure out Windows 8.1. Otherwise, you get totally frustrated and want to smash your computer. I bought this book for somebody in the family who had the misfortune to buy a notebook with 8.1. The person still hates Windows 8/8.1 as do I. What a disaster! Can't wait for Windows 10 to come along with the revival of the classic desktop mode of operation. I have boycotted buying a new computer until this POS is history.

This book is primarily dedicated to using the keyboard and mouse. It seldome tells how to do something both ways. The Tablet that I purchased does not have the left mouse click button or the right click button. Thus I have to use touch operations except where I need to type. Otherwise it is a good book.

Great reference book. It gave me a good overview and some details as well, to what is essentially a new OS. Came in very handy.

Like all books of this kind, one expects it to solve all of our problems; and it does not do this. But this book provides a hell of a lot of useful information even though the back half has lots of such info about networking and Wi Fi which is of no concern to me at the moment

Do we need it to call " Bible" no not necessarily , is it good , yes it is , are there any secrets in it for the Windows lover ( As I am )no there aren't . At most it's biblical in it's pages : 942 . Worthwhile to take a look in it .

Great reference work and problem cruncher. Can save you a lot of money for support work

I can recomment the book "Windows 8 Bible" - pre to "Windows 8.1 Bible". "Windows 8.1 Bible" very much is a repetition of specifik Windows 8 issues/topics - so if you are - like me - going to upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1, the "Windows 8.1 Bible" do not give you enough information on how upgrading can be done. Anyway "Windows 8.1 Bible" descibes the "new" features, wich are not revolutionary - but this part of the book is as good as the description in the "Windows 8.0 Bible" - So all in all a fair good investment - and nessesary - if you consider upgrading or purcheting/buy a Windows 8.1 device. Please foregive me my pore english here in writing - and after all just a Dane :-))Regards Henning Klausen

Good Book