Getting Started Guide Published: February 9, 2013 Version 1.
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Contents Meet Surface .......................................................................................................................................1 How does Windows RT differ from Windows 8 Pro? ..................................................... 2 Surface accessories...................................................................................................................... 2 Get Help and Support .........................................................................................
Trackpad ........................................................................................................................................ 27 Mouse............................................................................................................................................. 29 Pen ................................................................................................................................................... 29 All about apps ...........................................
Files and folders.......................................................................................................................... 53 Back up files using File History ............................................................................................. 54 Networking ....................................................................................................................................... 56 Connect to a wireless network ...........................................................
Meet Surface Microsoft Surface comes in two models: Surface RT Surface Pro Surface with Windows RT is powered by an ARM Surface with Windows 8 Pro is powered by an Intel Core processor (commonly used in mobile phones), which i5 processor, so you can do everything you’ve ever done makes for a thin and light tablet with awesome battery on your PC, on a tablet that weighs 2 lbs. Connect to a 1 life.
How does Windows RT differ from Windows 8 Pro? Here are some key differences: Windows RT Windows 8 Pro Apps Works exclusively with apps from the Windows Store. Runs apps from the Windows Store and programs you used with Windows 7. Office Office Home & Student 2013 RT Office 2013 isn’t pre-installed, but you can Preview (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) is pre-installed. run all programs, including Outlook. Office 2013 is sold separately. You can’t join a network domain.
Power supply Surface RT includes a 24-watt power supply. Surface Pro includes a 48-watt power supply with a built-in USB charging port. The Surface 48-watt power supply with a USB charging port can be purchased separately and used with either Surface RT or Surface Pro. For more info, see the Battery and power section in this guide. To check out more Surface accessories, go to Surface.com/Accessories. Get Help and Support You can get help with Windows, Surface, and specific apps.
Setup Ready to set up your Surface? Let’s go! Plug in and turn on Plug in Surface and turn it on. Here's how: 1. If you have one, attach the Touch Cover or Type Cover keyboard to your Surface. When the keyboard gets close to Surface, it clicks into place. 2. Flip out the kickstand on the back of Surface. 3. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet or power strip. 4. Connect the power cord on the lower right side of your Surface. The connector clicks into place (either direction works).
Windows setup Windows setup runs the first time you turn on Surface. During setup you'll be able to customize things like the language, color, and name for your Surface. You will be able to make changes later if you'd like. Two key things happen during setup: 1. You connect to a wireless network. Setup finds and displays the available wireless networks so that you can get online. 2. You create a user account to sign in to Surface. We recommended using a Microsoft account—an email address and password.
Add your email accounts The first time you start the Mail app, you're prompted to set up an account. You can add accounts from Outlook, Hotmail, Google, AOL, Yahoo!, and even your work email. To add an email account to the Mail app: 1. From the Start screen, tap or click Mail. 2. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Accounts. 3. Tap or click Add an account, and then select the type of account you want to add. 4.
Outlook Express, Windows Mail, or Windows Live Mail If you’ve been using Outlook Express, Windows Mail, or Windows Live Mail, you can move your mail and address book to the cloud so that you can access your inbox from anywhere. For info, see the topic Move your mail and contacts off your old PC on Windows.com.
Introducing Surface Once you've set up Surface, here are a few things you should know. Touch, keyboard, mouse, and pen With Surface, you can easily switch between touch, keyboard, mouse, and pen. Use whichever you want when you want. Touch Like a smartphone, you can interact with Surface by touching the screen. For example, you can drag your finger down a page to scroll. For more info, see the Touch: swipe, tap, and beyond section in this guide.
Charms Swipe in from the right edge of the screen to see the charms. Charms help you do the things you do most often, like search, share, and change settings. The charms are always available on the right side of your screen (from Start or any app). Find out more in the Charms section of this guide. App commands Swipe up from the bottom or down from the top edge of the screen to see commands. Or, right click your mouse or trackpad to see commands.
To get to the desktop: With touch, from the Start screen, tap or click Desktop. (It is a tile.) With a keyboard, press the Windows logo key +D. Go to the desktop when you need to do things like access a network location, use Control Panel, or work with files. Use File Explorer (formerly called Windows Explorer) to browse files on your Surface or network and to copy or move files and folders. In addition to local and network storage, there’s also online storage in the cloud.
Connect devices or a second screen Surface Pro and Surface RT are compatible with many devices. For more info, see the Device compatibility section in this guide. USB Your Surface includes a full-size USB port, so you can connect a printer, camera, music player, a mouse, or even an external hard drive. Find out more in the Connect devices section in this guide. Bluetooth Surface also supports Bluetooth devices like phones, speakers, headsets, mice, and keyboards.
Get to know the new Windows Read this section to learn about what's new in Windows 8 and Windows RT. Start screen: Your favorite things The Start screen has all of the information you care about in one place, such as your contacts, the weather, and the next appointment on your calendar. Vibrant and beautiful, each tile on the Start screen is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, or whatever else is important to you.
Touch: swipe, tap, and beyond These are some new touch interactions that you can use with Windows: What we say How to do it What it does Tap Tap once on something. Opens what you tap. Press and hold Press and hold your finger down for a few seconds. Shows options related to what you’re doing (like right-clicking with a mouse). Slide to scroll Drag your finger across the screen. Scrolls through what’s on the screen. Pinch or stretch Pinch your thumb and forefinger together or move them apart.
What we say How to do it What it does Rotate Put two or more fingers on an item and then turn your hand. Rotates things that can be rotated. Slide to rearrange Tap and drag an item to a new location, and then let go. Moves an item. Like dragging with a Swipe to select Selects an item, like an app tile or photo. Slide an item a short distance, opposite to how mouse. To try this, see Customize the Start screen section in this guide. the page scrolls.
Copy and paste using touch To select text using touch, tap a word then drag the circles at each end of the highlighted text to extend the selection. To copy the text, tap and hold the highlighted text until a box appears, then release your finger and tap Copy. To paste the text, tap and hold where you want the text until the box appears, then let go and tap Paste. You can also press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste.
Here's what you can do with the charms: Search Search for anything. Search the app you're in, another app, or search Surface for an app, setting, or file. For more info, see the How to search section below. Share Share files and info with people you know or send info to another app, without leaving the app you're in. You can email photos to your mom, update your Facebook status, or send a link to your note-taking app. For more info, see the Share photos, links, and more section in this guide.
To search for messages in the Mail app: 1. Open the Mail app from the Start screen. 2. Open the Search charm and type what you want to find in the search box. To search for something on the Internet from anywhere: Open the Search charm, type what you want to find then choose Internet Explorer from the list of apps. Tips To change search settings: Open the Settings charm, then tap or click Change PC settings. Then tap or click Search.
Share photos, links, and more The Share charm is a quick way to share files and info with people you know and to send info to other apps. It's available anywhere in Windows, so you don't have to stop what you're doing to share things like your latest vacation photos or an article you're reading. You can share with just a few people at a time, update your entire social network, or send info to another app to refer to later.
Get to know Surface Battery and power Surface comes with an internal lithium-ion battery so you can take it with you on the go. How much battery charge is left? The battery status appears in a few different places. Lock screen When you wake up Surface, the battery status appears on the lock screen (lower-left corner). Charms When you swipe in from the rightedge of the screen, the battery status appears in the lower-left corner of the screen.
The 48-watt power supply included with your Surface Pro (or purchased separately) can also be used to charge Surface RT. The 24-watt power supply designed for Surface RT can be used to charge Surface Pro, but the charging will take much longer. USB charging port: The 48-watt power supply that comes with Surface Pro includes a USB port so that you can charge other devices while you charge Surface. The USB port is only for charging. Devices connected to the USB charging port aren’t recognized by Surface.
For info on changing when the screen dims and turns off, see The touchscreen section in this guide. Lock To lock Surface, do any of the following: Press the power button or close the cover. Tap your name in the upper-right corner of the Start screen, and then tap Lock. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then tap or click Lock. Wake and unlock To wake up Surface, do one of the following: Press the power button.
To change when the screen dims or turns off: 1. Open the Search charm, type edit power plan, and then tap or click Settings. 2. Tap or click Edit power plan in the search results. 3. Choose the display settings that you want to use when your Surface is running on battery and when it's plugged in. 4. Tap or click Save changes. For more info about power plans, see the topic Power Plans: Frequently asked questions on Windows.com.
Adjust screen brightness By default, Surface automatically adjusts screen brightness for the light conditions. You can change this or set the brightness to whatever you’d like. Here’s how: 1. Open the Settings charm, and then tap or click Change PC settings. 2. Tap or click General. 3. Scroll to Screen and then set Adjust my Screen Brightness Automatically to No.
Hide the keyboard To hide the on-screen keyboard: Tap an area where text can’t be typed. –or– Tap the Keyboard key in the lower-right corner and then tap the image with the down arrow. Tips Use keyboard shortcuts by tapping the Ctrl key and then tapping another key. For example, you can use Ctrl+C for Copy and Ctrl+V for Paste. Turn Caps Lock on and off by double-tapping the Up Arrow key. Automatically insert a period by double-tapping the Spacebar.
Tips To quickly pause audio, press the volume rocker and then tap the on-screen pause button. To mute audio, press the mute key on Touch Cover or Type Cover (F1). Add sound accessories The headset jack works for both audio output and microphone input. You can plug headphones or a headset with a microphone into the headset jack or the USB port. For bigger sound, connect an external USB or Bluetooth speaker. For more info, see the Add, view, and manage your devices section in this guide.
Keyboard, mouse, and pen Keyboard covers You can choose from two keyboards for your Surface: Touch Cover or Type Cover. Both keyboard covers magnetically attach to Surface. To attach Touch Cover or Type Cover, simply bring the two close together. When Touch Cover gets close, it aligns and snaps into place. Once connected, the keyboard cover stays put. You can, however, easily remove Touch Cover or Type Cover if you’d like. Just pull it away.
Type Cover Type Cover is a slim version of a traditional keyboard with moving keys. It gives you the speed and feel of a laptop keyboard, coupled with portability. Just like the Touch Cover keyboard, Type Cover magnetically clicks into place and doubles as a cover for your Surface. Type Cover lets you go from tablet to laptop in an instant. Trackpad The Surface keyboards, Touch Cover and Type Cover, include a trackpad that you can use like a mouse.
How do I change the trackpad settings? A Trackpad Settings app is available in the Windows Store. To install the app: 1. Open the Store app, and then type trackpad settings. 2. Tap or click Trackpad Settings from the search results and then tap or click Install. 3. Once installed, open the Trackpad Settings app. Here are the settings you can change in the Trackpad Settings app: Trackpad setting What it does Trackpad Turns the trackpad on or off.
Mouse You can use the trackpad on Touch Cover or Type Cover like a mouse, or connect a USB mouse or Bluetooth mouse. To use a USB mouse, just plug it into the USB port on your Surface. To use a Bluetooth mouse, see the Add a Bluetooth device section in this guide. Pen Surface Pen included with Surface Pro Surface Pro includes a digital pen that you can use to write on the touchscreen. Take notes in OneNote or mark up PowerPoint presentations, Adobe PDF files, or Word documents just as you would on paper.
All about apps Like the Start button in previous versions of Windows, the Start screen is where you start apps. To open an app or program, tap or click its tile on the Start screen. You can open apps from the Windows Store and desktop apps from the Start screen. What are desktop apps? Desktop apps are programs that run in the desktop. For example, Office apps and Notepad are desktop apps.
People More than just an address book, the People app displays feeds from social networks and helps you keep in touch with one tap email, text, and calling. For more info, see the topic People app: Stay in touch on Surface.com. Photos See your photos and videos in one place, whether they're on Facebook, Flickr, SkyDrive, or another PC. For more info about this app, see the topic View and import photos and home videos on Surface.com.
Internet Explorer Surface comes with two versions of Internet Explorer: a modern, touch-friendly version and a desktop version. This way you can easily surf the web from the Start screen or the desktop. For more info, see Browse the web with Internet Explorer on Surface.com. Calendar The Calendar app brings all your calendars together so that you can stay on top of your schedule and make the most of your free time.
Show app commands Swipe up from the bottom or down from the top edge of the screen, then choose the command you want. Commands can also appear when you swipe down on or right-click an item like a tile or photo. Another way to show app commands is by tapping two fingers anywhere on the Touch Cover or Type Cover trackpad. For example: Open the Weather app from the Start screen, then swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (or down from the top) to see the options for the Weather app.
Switch to an app you were using recently With touch, swipe in from the left edge without lifting your finger, and then push the app back toward the left edge. You'll see the apps you've used recently. Tap the app you want. With a mouse, move the pointer into the upper-left corner and move it down the left edge. You’ll see the apps you’ve used recently. Click the one you want. From the keyboard, hold down the Windows logo key and press the Tab key to switch between open apps.
It’s still a good idea to close desktop apps when you're done using them, particularly before shutting down your Surface. Use two apps side by side (snap apps) Keep an eye on your music playlist while you work on a report. Compare your favorite team's schedule with your own calendar. You can get more done when you snap a second app to the left or right side of your screen.
Install apps 1. Open the Store app from the Start screen. 2. Find the app that you want to install. Drag your finger across the screen to see more apps. Don’t see the app you want? Type the app name that you’re looking for. When you see it, tap or click the app name. 3. Tap or click an app to learn more about it and read reviews. 4. Tap or click Buy, Try, or Install. Install is available if an app is free or you’ve already bought it. Try means a trial version is available.
Tip To see all of your apps, go to Start and swipe down from the top edge of the screen (or right-click), and then tap or click on All apps. Surface Pro: Install a desktop program You can install Windows 7 programs from websites, a CD or DVD, or from a network. For info about this, go to the Start screen and type help. Then tap or click Help and Support and type install a program in the search box. Surface Pro: Uninstall a desktop program 1.
Accounts A user account is a collection of settings that you use to interact with your Surface and personalize Windows to work the way you want. When you want to use your Surface, you sign in with your user account. There are two types of user accounts: a local account or a Microsoft account. We recommend using a Microsoft Account. What type of account do I have? To see what type of account you're using: 1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings. 2. Tap or click Users.
What is a Microsoft account? A Microsoft account—an email address and password—is a new way to sign in to any PC running Windows 8 or Windows RT. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC can connect to the cloud, and many of the settings, preferences, and apps associated with your account can "follow" you between different PCs. You may already have a Microsoft account.
Family Safety Family Safety is an integrated part of Windows 8 and Windows RT, so it's easier than ever to keep track of when and how your kids use the PC. You can set limits on exactly which websites, apps, and games they're allowed to use. To turn on Family Safety, you—or at least one designated parent—needs an administrator account. The kids you choose to monitor each need a standard user account. To find out how to use Family Safety, see the topic Set up Family Safety on Windows.com.
Sign in If you don’t use Surface for a few minutes the screen turns off and locks, just like a smartphone. When this happens, you’ll need to unlock your Surface to use it. Unlock Surface and sign in 1. Dismiss the lock screen by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen or pressing any key. If your account has a password, the sign-in screen appears. 2. Type the password for your user account. If you have multiple user accounts, tap or click the Back button and choose an account.
3. Confirm your current password and then you can create a PIN. Now you can quickly sign in using your four-digit PIN. Notes If you add a work email account to your Surface, security policies may require you to have a password instead of a PIN or picture password. If you’re using Surface Pro and you’re connected to a network domain, some sign-in and password settings are controlled by your system administrator. For more info, check with your system admin.
Personalizing Surface In Windows 8 and Windows RT, there are a few new places to show your favorite pictures and choose your colors. Change your background, colors, and account picture On the Start screen, you can change the background and color. The background shows up only on Start, but the color you pick shows up in a few other places too, like the charms and the sign-in screen.
When you come across a website, contact, or folder that you want to add to Start, here's how: To pin a website or contact from an app, open the app commands and tap or click Pin to Start. To pin a folder, open it in File Explorer, press and hold or right-click it, and then tap or click Pin to Start. Pin or unpin apps Some apps that are installed on your PC might not be pinned to Start. But you can always pin them if you want them there.
You can choose which apps run in the background and show notifications on the lock screen. Here’s how: 1. Open the Settings charm, and then tap or click Change PC settings. 2. Tap or click Personalize, and then choose which apps you want to appear and the lock screen.
Connect devices You can connect PC accessories and printers to your Surface. Printing When you connect a printer to your Surface or add a new printer to your home network, you can start printing right away. Windows supports most printers without downloading a printer driver. For most people, that’s all there is to it. To set up a printer Connecting your printer to your Surface or network is usually all you need to do. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your computer.
How do I print something? Once you add a printer, you’re ready to print. To print from a Windows Store app: 1. Open what you want to print. For example, open a picture in Photos, a web page in Internet Explorer, or an email message in Mail. 2. Open the Devices charm, and then tap or click your printer from the list. If your printer isn’t listed, it may be because the app doesn’t support printing or you haven’t added a printer. 3. Choose your printing options and tap or click Print.
Add, view, and manage your devices and printers You can add wired and wireless devices, see all connected devices, and troubleshoot a device that isn't working properly in the Devices and Printers section of Control Panel in the desktop. Devices can include mobile phones, music players, cameras, external drives, keyboards, and mice. Add a device You can add devices using PC Settings or Control Panel. Add a device using PC Settings 1. Open the Settings charm and then tap or click Change PC settings. 2.
Tips When connecting a phone, make sure your phone is unlocked and showing the Bluetooth settings screen. If you add a Bluetooth keyboard, you can disable your Touch Cover or Type Cover by folding it back or removing it. If Windows doesn’t find a device, see the following topics Why isn't Windows finding my device? and What if a device isn't installed properly? on Windows.com.
Device compatibility Surface RT is compatible with devices that are certified for Windows RT. These devices are marked with the certified for Windows RT logo. Some of your current devices may not work with Windows RT. To see what's compatible with Windows RT, go online to the Windows Compatibility Center. Surface Pro is compatible with devices that are certified for Windows 8. To see what’s compatible with Windows 8, go online to the Windows Compatibility Center.
Storage, files, and backup Surface RT comes in two storage configurations: 32 GB and 64 GB. Surface Pro comes in 64 GB and 128 GB. How much local storage space do I have? To see how much storage space you have available: 1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings. 2. Tap or click General. Scroll down to Available storage, to see how much storage space you have. You can tap or click View app sizes to see how much space each app is taking.
USB flash drive or hard drive You can insert a USB flash drive or external storage device into the full-size USB port on Surface. To open files from a USB flash drive or external hard drive: 1. Insert a USB flash drive or hard drive into the USB port on your Surface. Surface RT: On the right edge of the touchscreen. Surface Pro: On the left edge of the touchscreen. 2. Tap or click the notification that appears in the upper-right corner of the screen. 3. Tap or click Open folder to view files.
Tips The default save location for Office 2013 apps is SkyDrive (when you’re signed in with a Microsoft account). To learn more about SkyDrive, see the topic Your files on SkyDrive on Windows.com. Files and folders Use File Explorer (previously called Windows Explorer) to work with files and folders on your Surface or another computer on your network. For info on browsing network locations, see the Accessing files on other computers section in this guide.
Connect to a network computer Surface can access music, pictures, videos, and documents on computers that are part of a network. For more info, see Accessing files on other computers section in this guide. Use a USB flash drive or microSD memory card You can also move files to Surface by copying them to a USB flash drive or memory card and then moving the files to Surface. Here’s how: 1. Copy files onto a USB flash drive or memory card on your other computer. 2.
Before you can start using File History to back up your files, you’ll need to set up a drive to save files to. We recommend that you use an external drive or network location to help protect your files against a crash or other PC problem. For info on how to back up your files, see: 1. Go to the Start screen and type Help, and then tap or click Help and Support from the search results. Windows Help and Support opens in the desktop. 2. Type file history in the search box.
Networking Surface has built-in Wi-Fi that you can use to connect to a wireless network. Once connected, you can browse the Internet, get apps from the Windows Store, send email, and access other computers and devices on your network. Connect to a wireless network Use the following steps to connect to a wireless network: 1. Swipe in from the right-edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap or click the wireless network icon ( ). A list of available wireless networks appears. 2.
Join a homegroup A homegroup is a group of PCs on a home network that can share devices (such as printers), and libraries (your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video libraries). Using a homegroup makes sharing easier. Your homegroup is protected with a password that you can change at any time. If a homegroup already exists on your home network, you can join it. Here’s how: 1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings, and then tap or click HomeGroup. 2. Tap or click Join.
3. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, tap or click Change settings. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice. 4. On the Computer Name tab, tap or click Change. Alternatively, click Network ID to use the Join a Domain or Workgroup wizard to automate the process of connecting to a domain and creating a domain user account on your computer. 5. Under Member of, tap or click Domain. 6. Type the name of the domain that you want to join, and then tap or click OK.
Notes PCs that are turned off, hibernating, or asleep won't appear as part of the homegroup. For more info about sharing files and folders on a network, see the topic Share files and folders on a network on Windows.com. Airplane mode If you’re traveling on an airplane or if you don’t need to use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices for a while, you can turn on Airplane mode. Airplane mode also extends the time you have between battery recharges. To turn Airplane mode on and off: 1.
Surface and Windows Updates You don't have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes for Windows might be missing from your Surface. Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available. Windows RT: Automatic updating is always on to help keep your Surface up to date and running well. Windows Pro: Windows turns on automatic updating during setup unless you choose to turn it off. Use the following info to keep your Surface up to date.
Surface Pro: Change Windows Update settings You can set Windows Update to install recommended updates automatically or to just let you know that they're available. Windows Update won't add any apps without asking for your permission or take away anything you already have. To change your Windows Update settings: 1. From the Start screen, open the Search charm, type control panel and press Enter. 2. Tap or click System and Security, then tap or click Windows Update.
Clean and care for Surface To keep your Surface looking and working great, clean the touchscreen and keyboard frequently, and keep Surface covered when you’re not using it. Touchscreen care Scratches, finger grease, dust, chemicals, and ultraviolet light can affect the performance of your touchscreen. Here are a few things you can do to help protect the screen: Clean frequently The Surface touchscreen has been coated to make it easier to clean.
Battery care Surface has an internal lithium-ion battery. Operating temperature Surface is designed to work between 32°F and 95°F (or 0°C to 35°C). Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to high temperatures, so keep your Surface out of the sun and don’t leave it in a hot car. Recharge anytime The battery doesn’t need to be empty or low before you recharge. You can recharge the battery whenever you’d like. However, it’s best to let the battery run down at least once per month before you recharge it.
