35. Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a tool that provides protection from spyware and
malware in real-time on your system. You can configure it to run quick
scans or full scans either on a schedule or manually. Type defender in the Control Panel Search box to locate the Windows Defender application.
36. Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall is a tool that helps to protect your system from
unwanted access—access from both the outside world trying to come into
your computer or from unauthorized applications that might be running
on your system that you don’t want to allow out from your computer.
Type firewall in the Control Panel Search box to locate the Windows Firewall application.
37. Windows Mobile Device Center
PDA and smartphone users will find that they
have an extra item in the Control Panel after installing their
devices—the Windows Mobile Device Center. First introduced in Vista,
the Windows Mobile Device Center is a replacement for all previous
versions of ActiveSync.
Syncing Older Devices
When Vista first burst onto the scene, users
decried the lack of hardware compatibility for their legacy devices. In
its first incarnation, Windows Mobile Device Center didn’t help.
Instead of having the ultimate operating system to synchronize with,
many PDA users found they were unable to connect. Soon they were
scurrying back to Windows XP, grumbling every step of the way.
Subsequent releases of Windows Mobile Device Center have widely
expanded the amount of devices able to connect and sync. However, if
you have a very old PDA or smartphone, there’s a good chance it might
never connect. Here a few tips to try before you give up:
• If you are using a USB cable
different from the OEM one provided by your manufacturer, be advised
that despite looks, not all USB cables are created equal. I recently
had to troubleshoot a device only to discover that both USB cables I
tried to connect with (they work with every other USB device I have)
were no good—only the OEM cable connected.
• Try searching through Internet forums to see what workarounds other users have used. Search through forums like www.brighthand.com with the keywords Windows Mobile Device Center and your device name (for example, Hp Ipaq 3735).
• If you find there is no support for your hardware, it might finally be time to upgrade that ancient relic.
There are two connection styles you can choose from when you first sync:
• Creating a Partnership
• Connecting Without Setting Up Your Device
With a partnership, Windows automatically
synchronizes data from your device that you select. You can choose to
sync contacts, calendar appointments, email, files, and more. Every
time you plug in the device, the WMDC opens and syncs the data. This
feature can be a lifesaver if the device’s battery dies or you
accidently delete data on your mobile device. Instead of losing the
data permanently, it is “backed up” by being synchronized with your
machine. Just plug it in, sync again, and your mobile data is restored.
Setting Up a Partnership with Your Windows Mobile Device
The following steps show you how to create a
partnership between your device and your computer. To complete this
exercise, you need a smartphone or PDA running Windows Mobile.
1. Plug in your mobile device. Windows 8 finds new hardware and installs drivers for it.
2. After drivers are
successfully installed, the WMDC starts. (If the WMDC does not start
automatically, from the Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound. Click
Windows Mobile Device Center.)
3. Look for a green
check in the lower left along with the word Connected. (If you do not
see this, unplug the device and turn it off. Reboot Windows 8. After
Windows 8 has completely booted up, turn on the device and plug it back
in. The Windows Mobile Device Center will auto start.)
4. On the right, click Set up your Device, and the Set up Windows Mobile Partnership dialog box opens.
5. Select which items
you want to synchronize. (Note: Though it will be visible, you will be
unable to select email unless you have already configured Outlook. A
version of Outlook is provided with many mobile devices to utilize this
feature.)
6. Click Next.
7. In the Device Name text box, type a name for your mobile device. This name shows up every time you open the WMDC.
8.
Click Set Up. Windows establishes the partnership and attempts to sync
the data. When completed, you see a date and time of the last sync
under the word Connected.
After a partnership has been established, new options appear in the WMDC:
• Programs and Services—Here
you find links to Add/Remove Programs, which opens a new dialog for
installing or removing Windows Mobile applications. Also in Programs
and Services are links to Microsoft resources, such as updates and
help. The options here vary from one device to another depending on the
manufacturer.
• Pictures, Music, and Video—Hover
your mouse over this and an interactive window opens. Click the blue
More button to reveal all your choices. The first link tells you how
many media items exist on your device that have not been synchronized.
Pictures/Video Import Settings brings up a dialog to fine-tune your
import features, including giving you the ability to delete the item
from the device after import. A third choice is to Add Media to your
Device from Windows Media Player.
• File Management—Select this to browse the contents of your device. If your device has a storage card, it can be accessed from here.
• Mobile Device Settings—Clicking
the More button opens up a bevy of links—Change Content Sync Settings,
Manage a Partnership, Connection Settings, and more.
The other option you have when first
synchronizing the device is Connecting Without Setting Up Your Device.
This limits you to file sharing on the host system or using your device
to share mobile broadband. This choice is a good option if you need to
quickly connect to a machine to share data. For example, if you have a
storage card on your mobile device, you can use it like a Jump Drive by
plugging in your device to a host machine, starting WMDC, and selecting
Connecting Without Setting Up Your Device. Once connected, the device
shows up in Windows Explorer with access to your storage card.
Mobile broadband lets users tether a
cell phone to a computer and access the Internet through the cell
phone’s network connection. To use this, you need a data card (SIM) and
a mobile broadband data plan with a provider. This can be a great
solution to get connected to the Internet in remote locations or areas
that do not provide broadband service.
