Surface User Guide With Windows RT 8.1 Software Published: March 2014 Version 2.
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Contents MEET SURFACE .................................................................................................................................................................1 ABOUT THIS GUIDE ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 SURFACE FEATURES ..................................................................................................
SEARCH, SHARE, AND SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................... 35 HOW TO SEARCH .................................................................................................................................................................................................35 SHARE PHOTOS, LINKS, AND MORE .................................................................................................................
CONNECT TO A WIRED NETWORK......................................................................................................................................................................58 JOIN A HOMEGROUP ...........................................................................................................................................................................................59 JOIN A WORKGROUP .............................................................................................
APP HELP AND TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................................................................................87 THAT’S IT! ......................................................................................................................................................................
Meet Surface Ultra-thin and light, Surface is the on-the-go tablet. With Xbox Music and Video, games, and Internet Explorer, you’ll never run out of ways to play. And when it’s time to get work done, Surface comes with Microsoft Office 2013 RT—Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and OneNote apps.1 1The Windows RT 8.1 update includes Outlook RT. There are some differences between Office RT and other versions of Office. For more info, see Office.com/OfficeRT.
Surface features Finish Made with VaporMg, Surface is precision crafted to be tough yet elegant, without excessive bulk. The watch-like finish is incredibly smooth and durable. Touchscreen The 10.6” touchscreen, with its 16:9 aspect ratio and ClearType HD display (1377x768 pixels), is great for watching HD movies, browsing the web, and using Office apps. Like a smartphone, you can browse the web or your email using your fingers. See Touchscreen for more info.
Kickstand Flip out the kickstand when you want to be productive or kick back and have some fun. Stereo speakers and headset jack With the two stereo speakers and headset jack, you can listen to music, podcasts, and audio books. See Sound features for more info. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Surface supports standard Wi-Fi protocols (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth® 4.0. This means you can connect to a wireless network and use Bluetooth devices such as mice, printers, and headsets.
Ports HD video out port Share videos, photos, or presentations by connecting Surface to an HDTV, monitor, or projector (adapters and cables sold separately). See Connect to a TV, monitor, or projector for more info. Full-size USB 2.0 port Connect USB accessories—like a mouse, phone, or an Ethernet adapter. See Connect devices for more info. microSDXC card reader Use the microSDXC card reader (behind the kickstand) for extra storage or transferring files.
Software Windows RT Surface comes pre-installed with Windows RT—a Windows-based operating system that's optimized for thin and light PCs. Windows RT runs built-in apps and apps from the Windows Store. To learn more, see Windows 8.1 RT: FAQ on Windows.com. Office 2013 RT Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and OneNote apps are pre-installed. See Office 2013 RT for more info. Apps Surface has many built-in apps—check out the tiles for them on your Start screen.
Set up your Surface Grab your Surface and let’s go! Before you start… Make sure a wireless network is available and you have the network password (if the network is secured). Plug in and turn on 1. If you have a Typing Cover, bring it close to your Surface, so that it clicks into place (see picture). 2. Flip out the built-in kickstand on the back of Surface. 3. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet or power strip. 4.
Setup Setup runs the first time you turn on Surface. During setup you’ll choose a language, color scheme, and name for your Surface. (You can change these things later.) Two key things happen during setup: Surface connects to your wireless network. If you don’t know your wireless password, see How to find your wireless network password on Surface.com. An account is created on Surface. For the best experience, we recommend using a Microsoft account.
The basics There are a few things you need to know to get around your Surface. Update to Windows RT 8.1 Important All of the info in this guide is for Windows RT 8.1. Before you continue, make sure you have Windows RT 8.1. Here’s how: 1. From the Start screen, tap or click the Desktop tile. 2. Open the Settings charm (swipe in from the right edge of the screen and then tap Settings). 3. Tap or click PC info and see which version of Windows you have. 4.
To go to Start: Touch. Press below the touchscreen, or swipe in from the right edge of the screen and tap Start. Keyboard. Press the Windows logo key Mouse. Click the Start button on your keyboard. in the lower-left corner of the screen. Open apps Touch or mouse. Tap or click an app tile on the Start screen. Keyboard. Go to Start and type an app name (such as Word or OneDrive). You can see all your apps by swiping up from the center of the Start screen.
Gesture How to do it What it does Tap and hold Press your finger down and hold for about Shows options related to what you’re a second. doing (like right-clicking with a mouse). Touch the screen or an item with two or Zooms in or out of a website, map, or more fingers, and then move the fingers picture. Pinch or stretch toward each other (pinch) or away from each other (stretch). Rotate Put two or more fingers on an item and Rotates things that can be rotated. then turn your hand.
Gesture How to do it What it does Swipe to select Swipe an item with a short, quick Selects an item, like an app tile or photo. movement in the direction opposite to the This often brings up app commands. way the page scrolls. (For example, if the screen scrolls left or right, swipe the item up or down to select it.) Swipe from edge Starting on the edge, swipe in. Right edge: Opens the charms Left edge: Brings in open apps, snaps apps, shows your recently opened apps, or closes apps.
Here's what you can do with the charms: Search. You can use the Search charm ( +S) to finds things on Surface, OneDrive, in apps, and on the web. For more info, see How to search in this guide. Share. When you’re in an app, you can use the Share charm ( +H) to share files, photos, or webpages. For more info, see Share photos, links, and more in this guide. Start. The Start charm ( ) takes you to the Start screen. Or if you're already on Start, it takes you to the last app you were using. Devices.
Lock screen and signing in With a Microsoft account, personal settings like your lock screen and Start screen can follow you to other devices. Your favorite websites, browser history, and pinned sites on your Start screen move with you, as well. If you don’t use Surface for a few minutes, the screen turns off and locks. When this happens, press a key (or press and release the Power button), then swipe up on the touchscreen. Next, sign in to your account by typing your password.
Get started Now that you know the basics, let’s get online and add your accounts. Get online Here’s how to get online: 1. Open the Settings charm (swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings). 2. Tap or click the wireless network icon ( 3. Tap or click the network you want to connect to, and then tap or click Connect. ). Set up your email Now let’s set up your email. Outlook RT and Mail are both pre-installed, so you can add your email accounts to either or both of these apps.
3. Choose the type of account you want to add, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Most accounts can be added with only your user name and password. In some cases, you’ll be asked for more details, which you can usually find on your email account provider’s website. (Repeat steps 1-3 for each of your email accounts.) After you add an email account… Your contacts from Outlook.com and Exchange accounts are automatically added to the People app, and your appointments appear in the Calendar app.
OneDrive: Your personal cloud OneDrive is online storage that comes with your Microsoft account. It’s like an extra hard drive that’s available from any of the devices you use. When you save your documents, photos, and other files on OneDrive, they're available from any web-connected device (for example, your phone or computer). OneDrive is also a great way to share files with other people. To learn more, see OneDrive in this guide.
Get to know Surface Now that you’ve added your accounts, let’s go a little deeper. Power states: On, off, standby, and restart Here’s a quick overview of the Surface power states: State What to do On Press and release the Power button. If nothing happens, Surface might need to be recharged. Connect the power supply and then press the Power button again. Wake Do any of the following: Off (Shut down) Press and release the Power button. Open the Cover.
Standby If you don’t use Surface for a few minutes the screen turns off and locks, just like a smartphone. When this happens, Surface goes into a standby mode called InstantGo. While Surface is in standby, it stays connected to your wireless network. This way you can get app notifications (such as an incoming Skype call) and you can turn on Surface in an instant. Choose when the screen turns off By default, the Surface screen turns off after a few minutes of inactivity. Here’s how to change this: 1.
Notes It takes 2-3 hours to fully charge your Surface battery from an empty state. Surface can’t be charged through the USB port. Instead, you need to use the included power supply or the Surface Car Charger. Advanced power settings A power plan is a collection of settings that control how your Surface uses power. To find out how to customize or create a power plan, see Power Plans: Frequently asked questions on Windows.com (Surface supports InstantGo).
Automatically adjust screen brightness Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC Settings > PC and devices > Power and sleep > Adjust my screen brightness automatically. Choose when the screen turns off If you don’t use Surface for five minutes, the screen turns off. If you want to change this setting, see Choose when the screen turns off in this guide. Landscape or portrait When you rotate Surface, the screen content changes to the new orientation.
On-screen keyboard Surface has an on-screen, touch keyboard that appears when you need it. Show the on-screen keyboard 1. Fold back the Cover or remove it. 2. Tap the screen in a place where text can be entered and the on-screen keyboard should appear. If you're in the desktop, tap the keyboard icon on the desktop taskbar (lower-right corner) to open the on-screen keyboard.
Suggestions and corrections As you type on the on-screen keyboard, suggestions appear above the keyboard. For more info, see Suggestions and corrections later in this guide. Change on-screen keyboard settings Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > PC and devices > Typing > Touch keyboard. Tips and tricks How do I? What to do Type numbers Tap the &123 key or swipe up on a key in the first row. For example, swipe up on the Q key to type the number 1.
Typing Covers (keyboards) Choose from the following Typing Covers: Touch Cover and Touch Cover 2 Super-thin, pressure-sensitive keyboards with a touchpad. Type Cover and Type Cover 2 One of the thinnest mechanical keyboards available, with moving keys. Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 are thinner and lighter, with keys that can illuminate when your hands are near. You can see all of the Typing Covers in the Accessories area of Surface.com.
To turn key sounds on or off: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > PC and devices > Typing > Play key sounds as I type (under Touch keyboard). Touch Cover 2 gestures Here are a couple handy gestures you can use on the Touch Cover 2 keyboard: To do this Do this… Move the insertion point Slide two fingers horizontally across the letter keys.
Adjust the backlighting Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 have keys that can illuminate. The backlighting turns on when your hands are near the keys and turns off when they leave. You can adjust the brightness of the keys and turn backlighting on/off. To do this Press this… Increase the brightness of the keys Tap the F2 key repeatedly. Decrease the brightness of the keys Tap the F1 key repeatedly. Turn backlighting off Press and hold the F1 key. Turn backlighting on Press and hold the F2 key.
More function keys for either Typing Cover For this key Press this For this key Press this Page up Fn + Up arrow Page down Fn + Down arrow Home Fn + Left arrow End Fn + Right arrow Increase screen Fn + Del Decrease screen brightness Fn + Backspace brightness Can I use my desktop keyboard with Surface? Yes. You can use a full-size USB or Bluetooth keyboard if you’d like. For more info, see Connect devices in this guide.
Battery status The battery status light is on the top middle of the adapter. When the battery gets low (less than 15% of battery remaining), the light is red. To conserve battery life, remove the wireless adapter from the Typing Cover or turn it off when you’re not using it. The adapter turns off if you don’t use it for an hour. Note If you have problems, see Troubleshoot the Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers on Surface.com. Touchpad The Typing Covers have a touchpad that you can use like a mouse.
How do I change the touchpad settings? You can turn off the touchpad, turn off edge swiping, reverse the scrolling, and prevent the cursor from accidently moving while you type. To change these settings: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > PC and devices > Mouse and touchpad. Sound features Surface has two stereo speakers and a headset jack for listening to music or watching movies.
Apps. Some apps have a volume control. Tips To quickly pause audio in an app from the Windows Store, press the volume rocker and then tap the onscreen pause button. To mute audio, press the mute key on Touch Cover or Type Cover. Add audio 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.
The desktop The Windows desktop—with its taskbar, folders, and icons—is still available in Windows RT 8.1. To go to the desktop: Touch. From Start, tap Desktop (it’s a tile). Mouse. From Start, move your pointer to the lower-left corner, and then click . Keyboard. Press Windows logo key +D. When will I go to the desktop? The pre-installed Office RT apps run in the desktop. You might also go to the desktop to use Control Panel, File Explorer, or a Windows desktop app such as Paint or Notepad.
Use apps Surface comes with a great set of apps such as People, Skype, and Camera. Learn more about these apps in the Built-in apps section of this guide. Find and open apps To find an app on your Surface: Apps view. Swipe up from the center of the Start screen (or click on the lower-left of Start). A list of apps appears. Type an app name or scroll to see all your apps. Use Search. Open the Search charm, and type an app name like Skype.
Switch between open apps If you want to keep your apps full screen, you can quickly switch between open apps. Here’s how: Switch back to a previous app Touch. Swipe in from the left edge of the screen. Mouse. Move the mouse pointer into the upper-left corner of the screen, and then click. Keyboard. Press Alt+Tab. Switch to a specific app Touch. Swipe in from the left edge, and with your finger still on the screen, move it back toward the left edge. Tap the app you want. Mouse.
Here’s how to arrange two apps side-by-side: 1. Open each of the apps you want to use. 2. Open the recently used app list (swipe in from the left edge, and with your finger still on the screen, move it back toward the left edge). 3. Drag an app from the app list until the current app changes size, then let go of the app. 4. To adjust the size of the apps, drag the bar between the apps. If you want to change one of the apps, go to Start or the Apps view and tap or click an app.
To completely stop all processes associated with an app, drag the app to the bottom of the screen, and hold it there until the app flips over. You can see all open apps and services in Task Manager (open the Search charm and type Task Manager to find this app). Close desktop apps It’s still a good idea to close desktop apps, such as Office apps, when you're done using them or before you shut down Surface. You can close an Office app by tapping or clicking the X in the upper-right corner of the app.
Search, share, and settings There are charms to help you find things, share stuff, and change your settings. How to search The Search charm uses Bing Smart Search to search your Surface, the web, and OneDrive, plus some apps and the Windows Store. Here’s how to search for things: 1. Open the Search charm, and then type what you want to find. As you type, you’ll see search results and suggestions. 2. If you see what you’re looking for, tap or click it to open it. 3.
Tips Keyboard shortcuts. Press +S to open Search. To search for a file (on Surface or OneDrive), press +F. And to search for a setting, press +W. You can just start typing while you’re on the Start screen (you don’t have to open the Search charm first). To find out how to search using File Explorer, see Search for files in File Explorer on Windows.com. Narrow the scope of search By default, the Search charm searches for apps, files, and settings, plus content on the web.
To bookmark the page to read later, choose Reading List. To save the link in OneNote, choose OneNote. To share a screenshot: Open the Share charm, tap the arrow and choose Screenshot. To change your share settings: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > Search and apps > Share. Share photos 1. Open the Photos app and find a photo or photos that you want to share. 2. Swipe down or right-click a photo to select it. 3. Open the Share charm.
Change your settings PC Settings Most of the settings that you'll want to change can be found in PC settings. To open PC settings: 1. Open the Settings charm. Some PC settings appear in the lower-right corner (see picture). 2. For more settings, tap or click Change PC settings. 3. Tap or click a category. For example, tap PC and devices to add a device, or Accounts to change account settings. If you can’t find a setting, you can use Search . For more info, see Get help with PC settings on Windows.com.
Accounts and sign in A user account determines how you interact and personalize your Surface. When you want to use Surface, you sign in with your user account. What type of account do I have? You can sign in to Surface using a local account or a Microsoft account. We recommend using a Microsoft account. To see which type of account you're using: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > Accounts > Your account. o If you see your name and email address, you’re using a Microsoft account.
Manage accounts There are two places you can manage user accounts: PC Settings. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > Accounts > Other accounts. Control Panel. Open the Search charm, type user accounts, then choose User Accounts from the search results. Unlock and sign in Here’s how to unlock and sign in to Surface: 1. Press a key, or press and release the Power button. 2. Dismiss the lock screen by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen or pressing a key. 3.
Create a PIN Instead of typing a password, you can sign in quickly with a four-digit PIN. Here’s how: 1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. 2. Under PIN, tap or click Add. 3. Type your current password and choose OK. 4. Type 4 numbers for your PIN. Now you can quickly sign in using your four-digit PIN. Create a picture password To find out how to create a picture password, see Personalize your PC on Windows.com.
Account security It's an excellent idea to help protect your account by adding security info to it. If you ever forget your password or your account is hacked, we can use your security info to verify your identity and help you get back into your account. It’s important to make sure you’ve added security info and check it for accuracy. For more info, see Microsoft account security info: FAQ on Windows.com.
Apps and games from the Windows Store Discover a variety of great apps and games in the Windows Store. You can browse for apps in a category, or in groups like “Picks for you” and "Popular Now." And if you already know what you want, you can use Search . Your account You need to sign in with a Microsoft account before you can install apps from the Windows Store. To see your account info or switch accounts: From the Store app, open the Settings charm and then tap or click Your account.
Important You can only install apps from the Windows Store, not from other sources. You can’t install Windows 7 apps on Surface. Notes Need help? Open the Settings charm from the Store app, and then tap or click Help. Can’t find or install an app? See Why can’t I find or install an app from the Windows Store? on Windows.com. Install the same apps as another PC.
Family Safety with the Windows Store You can use Family Safety to control which games and apps your child can see and install from the Windows Store. You can also allow or block specific apps and games. For info about this, see Use Family Safety with the Windows Store on Windows.com. Add or change payment option and see billing history Before you can buy an app, you'll need to add a payment method to your account. To add or change a payment method: 1.
Reinstall an app You can reinstall apps or games you’ve bought without paying for them again (as long as they're still available in the Windows Store). To reinstall an app: 1. Open the Store app and make sure you’re signed in with your Microsoft account. (To see which account you’re signed in to, open the Settings charm, then choose Your account.) 2. Swipe down from the top of the screen, and then tap Your apps. 3. Tap or click the apps that you want to install, and then choose Install.
Personalize your Surface Add your accounts If you haven’t already added your email and social networking accounts, see the Get started section in this guide. Personalize the Start screen Colors and background You can change the Start screen colors and background. Here’s how: From Start, open the Settings charm, and then tap or click Personalize. To watch a video about this, see Personalize your PC. Create tiles for your favorites You can pin websites, contacts, and apps to the Start screen.
Change your lock screen Your lock screen can include a picture, a slide show of pictures, and app notifications such as your next calendar appointment. Here’s where you can change your lock screen settings: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > PC and devices > Lock screen. For more info, see Personalize your PC on Windows.com. Notifications There are many ways to see when you have new email, messages, calendar events, status updates, and Tweets.
Lock screen app notifications To choose which apps have notifications on the lock screen: 1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Change PC settings > PC and devices > Lock screen. 2. Under Lock screen apps, choose the apps you want on your lock screen. Add a language By adding a language, you can change the language that you use to read and write in Windows, apps, and the web. To learn all about this, see Add a language or keyboard on Windows.com.
Connect devices Connect a USB mouse, printer, and more Surface has a full-size USB 2.0 port that you can use to connect accessories, such as a printer, camera, music player, phone, a mouse, or even an external hard drive. The first time you plug in a USB accessory, Windows installs the necessary software for you (if needed). Use a mouse You can use the touchpad on your Typing Cover, or add a USB or Bluetooth mouse. USB. Plug the mouse into the USB port on Surface. Bluetooth.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish pairing your device. If the accessory requires a passcode (sometimes called a pairing code), you’ll be prompted for it. If you don’t know the passcode, check the info that came with your device or the manufacturer’s website. Notes When pairing a phone, make sure your phone is unlocked and showing the Bluetooth settings screen. If Windows doesn’t find your device, see Troubleshoot Bluetooth on Surface.com.
How do I scan something? You can use the Scan app to scan pictures or documents to a variety of file formats (such as JPG and PNG). To open the Scan app: Swipe up from the center of the Start screen and tap Scan. Need help? In the Scan app, open the Settings charm and then choose Help. Connect to a TV, monitor, or projector You can connect your Surface to a TV to watch movies on a big screen, a projector to share a presentation, or another monitor so you can work with multiple apps.
Connect with a cable To connect Surface to another screen you’ll need an adapter and a compatible VGA or HDMI cable (cables and adapters sold separately). Here are the adapters: Surface HD Digital AV Adapter Surface VGA Adapter Which video adapter do I need? To figure out which adapter you need, look at the ports on your TV, monitor, or projector. HDMI port? Use the HD Digital AV Adapter. No HDMI port? Use the VGA Adapter (the VGA Adapter transfers video only, not audio).
Extend. You'll see everything spread over both screens, and you can drag and move items between the two. Second screen only. You’ll see everything on the connected screen, and your Surface screen will be blank. Notes For more info about using taskbars and moving apps around, see Connect a second monitor or projector on Windows.com. Problems or questions? See Trouble connecting to a second screen? on Surface.com.
Storage, files, and backup Here’s what you need to know about storage, files, and backup. How much disk space do I have? To see how much disk space you have on Surface: Open the Settings charm, then tap or click Change PC settings > Search and apps > App sizes. Here you can see how much disk space is available and how much space each app is using. Notes Pre-installed software and apps use a significant amount of disk space. See Surface.com/storage for more details.
microSD memory card You can add additional storage to Surface by inserting a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card. Flip out the kickstand to access the memory card slot. Save files on another computer on your network You can open and save files to computers on your network. For more info, see Share files and folders on Windows.com. (This way files don’t take up space on your Surface.
3. Do one of the following: Open: Tap or click a file. Download: Swipe down on a file (or right-click), and then tap Make offline. Files that are available offline are stored locally on your Surface and can be opened without an Internet connection. For more info, see Get to files when you’re offline on Windows.com. Use removable media to add files Music, pictures, and videos on removable media automatically appear in the Photos, Music, and Video apps.
Networking Surface has built-in Wi-Fi that you can use to get online. Once you’re online, you can browse the Internet, get apps, send email, and access other computers and devices on your network. Connect to a wireless network 1. Open the Settings charm, then tap or click the wireless network icon ( ). 2. Tap or click a wireless network to connect to it. 3. Tap or click Connect. If prompted, type your network security key (network password), and then tap or click Next.
5. If prompted, type your username and password, and then tap Next. If you don't know this info, check with your network admin. 6. To see if you’re online, go to the Start screen and start Internet Explorer. If Surface doesn’t connect to the Internet, see Connect Surface to a wired network on Surface.com. Join a homegroup When you have several PCs on a network, homegroups make sharing printers and files a lot easier.
Connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Surface can connect to your workplace network by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. VPNs connect PCs to large networks (usually corporate) over the Internet. Important Surface with Windows RT 8.1 has built-in support for VPN. Third-party VPN software can also be installed, if it's available in the Windows Store. For help with third-party VPN software, contact the third-party VPN provider. Set up a new VPN connection 1.
Tethering: Use your phone’s data connection If a wireless network isn’t available, you might be able to connect your phone to Surface and share your phone’s cellular data connection (sometimes called tethering). Tethering turns your phone into a mobile hotspot. Notes To share your cellular data connection, tethering must be included with your current phone plan and often costs extra. Tethering uses data from your cellular data plan.
Built-in apps Surface 2 comes with a great set of apps such as Skype, Camera, and Office 2013 RT. Note Some features may not be available in all regions. Office 2013 RT Surface comes pre-installed with Office 2013 RT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. Office 2013 RT has almost the same features as Office 2013 on Windows 7 or Windows 8. To learn about the differences, go to Office.com/OfficeRT. Start an Office app From the Start screen, tap an Office app tile (such as Word).
A few more things File compatibility. Office 2013 apps can open files created with previous versions of Office. To check compatibility between Office 2013 and previous versions of Office, see Check file compatibility with earlier versions on Office.com. Touch. Check out the Office Touch Guide on Office.com. Pen. To find out how to use a capacitive pen (sold separately) in Office apps (called inking), see Use a pen to draw, write, or highlight text on a Windows tablet on Office.com. Languages.
To open Internet Explorer, go to Start and tap or click Internet Explorer. For help getting started, check out the Browsing the web on Windows.com. Address bar, tabs, and favorites To show the Address bar, swipe down from the top edge of the screen (or right-click). Tap or click the Address bar and then type what you want to find. To always show address bar: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Options > Always show address bar and tabs. Notes Change settings. Open the Settings charm, tap Options.
Your web favorites You can pin websites to your Start screen or add them to your browser favorites. Here’s how: 1. Go to a site that you want to pin or make a favorite. 2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen (or right-click). 3. Tap the Favorites button ( ) or the Pin button ( ). Notes Favorites. See Add to, view, and organize favorites on Windows.com. Sync your settings.
Mail You can use the Mail app to read and respond to your email messages from all your email accounts. Add email accounts To find out how to add your email accounts to Mail or Outlook RT, see Set up your email in this guide. Using Mail Task What to do Change Mail app settings Open the Settings charm, tap or click Options. Change email account settings Open the Settings charm, tap or click Accounts, then choose one of your accounts.
To change when and how much email is downloaded, open the Settings charm, tap or click Accounts, select an account, and then change your settings. Find messages Tap Search above your messages and type what you want to find. Print messages Open the Devices charm, tap Print, choose a printer, and then choose Print. Select multiple messages Swipe across a message in the middle pane, or right-click each message. To select continuous messages, hold the Shift key and press the Up arrow or Down arrow key.
People The People app is your address book and your social app all in one. When you connect your accounts, like Facebook and Twitter, you’ll get all the latest updates, Tweets, and pictures in one place. You can write on someone's Facebook wall, comment on an update, or retweet a Tweet without switching to another app. To find out how to add your accounts, see People: Add accounts in this guide. For info on editing contacts and creating groups, see Contact list management on Windows.com.
Note Your Google calendar can’t be synced with the Calendar app. For a workaround, see How to see your Google events on Windows.com. To change your calendar options: Open the Settings charm, tap or click Options, select the calendars you want to show and the colors that you want. To switch calendar views: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen, then tap what you want to see. Calendar help See Calendar app help on Windows.com or open the Settings charm and tap Help (from the Calendar app).
Record videos and take photos The Camera app is pre-installed on Surface or you can use another camera app from the Windows Store (search for Camera in the Store app). The following info is for the Camera app. To take a photo or record a video: Open the Camera app, and then tap the on-screen Photo button button or Video . Tip When you’re recording video, you can tap anywhere on the screen to take a picture without stopping the recording.
For best results, keep the camera in the same place as you tilt and rotate it, as if it’s on a tripod. Move slowly and steadily when lining up the image, and then pause to capture it. If your body blocks the viewfinder, keep the camera in the same place and step around it until you’re out of the way. See Camera app and webcams: FAQ to watch a video showing best practices for taking a panorama. Use the Camera, Photos, or OneDrive apps to view your panoramas.
3. Tap or click Edit. 4. Choose from auto and basic fixes, light and color adjustments, and effects. 5. Once the picture is how you like it, swipe down from the top edge to save your changes. Share and print photos For info about sharing and printing your photos, see Share and print photos on Windows.com. Edit videos To delete or trim videos: 1. Open the video using the Camera, Photos, or the OneDrive app. 2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen. 3.
Play music 1. From the Start screen, tap or click Music. 2. On the left, tap or click Collection. 3. Choose to see your collection arranged by Albums, Artists, or Songs. Or use Search want to play. 4. Select a song or album, and then tap or click the Play button. to find what you No music? If your Collection is empty, add songs to your Music folder and they'll appear in the Music app.
Get more music apps You can browse or search the Windows Store for music apps. Need help? If you need help, see Xbox Music on support.xbox.com. Photos You can use this app to view photos on Surface and on your OneDrive. If you have photos on your camera or phone, you can import them using this app. To see your photos, go to the Start screen and open the Photos app. Photos from your Pictures folder appear in the Photos app.
To find out how to share and print photos, see Share and print photos on Windows.com. Video You can use the Video app to watch home videos on your Surface, and rent or buy TV shows and movies from the Xbox Video Store. The Video app uses the Xbox Video* service for movies and TV shows. And, it features Instant-on streaming in HD, so you don't have to wait for anything to download—just start watching. *The Xbox Video service isn't available everywhere. Read this info to see where it’s available.
Skype Skype is the always-on app that makes staying in touch easier than ever. Connect with friends, family, and colleagues by using Skype calls and chat. Set up Skype See the Skype (IM and calls): Add contacts topic in this guide. Call and chat To find out how to add contacts, send instant messages, and make calls, see Skype on Surface on Surface.com. Tips To change settings or see help topics: Open the Settings charm from the Skype app.
To see what’s on you OneDrive, go to Start and tap or click OneDrive. All of the files that you’ve saved on OneDrive appear (you can also open files saved on Surface or your network). Tap or click a folder name to see the contents. Tap or click a file to open it. Office files open in Office apps and music files open in Xbox Music. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to see commands. To learn more about using OneDrive, see OneDrive on Surface or Getting started with OneDrive on Windows.com.
Use OneDrive to share files With OneDrive, it’s easy to share files securely and easily with your friends or coworkers. They won’t need to install any special programs or sign up for a new account, and they can use any web browser to get to the files you share with them. You can use OneDrive to share photos, Office docs, and other files with people. Here's how: 1. Open the OneDrive app and select the files that you want to share. (Swipe down on a file or folder to select it.) 2.
SmartGlass Be sure to check out the Xbox SmartGlass app too—it’s available for free in the Windows Store, and turns Surface into a great second screen companion. For more info, see the Xbox SmartGlass website. To check the availability of the SmartGlass app in your region, see the Xbox on Windows feature list. Maps Maps can show you where you are, where you want to go, and provide directions to get you there. Maps also shows you traffic conditions to help you find the fastest route.
Weather Video Prepare for the latest conditions with hourly, daily, and 10-day forecasts. Compare weather from multiple providers, check radar maps, and view historical weather. Xbox video brings you the latest movies Food & Drink Health & Fitness This app features a hands-free cooking This app has over 1,000 exercise videos, a mode, a recipe and wine catalog, as well nutritional and medical reference, and as tips and techniques from celebrity chefs. exercise and diet trackers.
Additional info you should know This section includes a few more things that would be helpful for you to know. Keep Surface up to date Two types of updates keep Surface performing its best: Windows software updates and Surface hardware updates (also known as firmware). Both types install automatically as they become available. If a restart is needed, you’ll see a message like this: Windows Update Your PC will restart in 2 days to finish installing important updates.
How can I help protect my Surface from viruses? Windows RT includes up-to-date virus and malware protection called Windows Defender. This software helps identify and remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Windows Defender is always on and can't be turned off. To manually scan Surface by using Windows Defender, see How do I find and remove a virus? on Windows.com.
BitLocker recovery key Data on your Surface hard drive is automatically encrypted to help keep it secure. This way, if your Surface is lost or stolen, someone else can’t access your data. If a security event or hardware failure locks your Surface, you’ll need a BitLocker recovery key to sign in. If you sign in to your Surface with a Microsoft account, a copy of your BitLocker recovery key is automatically backed up to that account. To get your recovery key, go online to BitLocker Recovery Keys.
Accessories Accessories add to your Surface experience. Typing Covers Click in a unique keyboard that doubles as a cover. Choose from the following Typing Covers: Touch Cover is a super-thin, pressure sensitive keyboard and touchpad. Type Cover is a slim version of a traditional laptop keyboard with moving keys and a touchpad. Some Typing Covers are available in different colors or designs3. To see what’s available, go to Covers on Surface.com. All Typing Covers can be used with Surface.
24W Power Supply (included with Surface) Surface comes with a 24-watt power supply for charging your battery. For more info, see the Charging section of this guide. 48W Power Supply with USB Charging Port Use this charger to charge your Surface and a USB accessory, such as your phone, at the same time. For more info, see 48-watt power supply with USB charging port in this guide.
Care and cleaning Here’s how to keep your Surface looking and working great. Touchscreen care Scratches, finger grease, dust, chemicals, and ultraviolet light can affect the performance of the touchscreen. Here are a few things you can do to help protect the screen: Clean frequently. Wipe the touchscreen with a soft, lint-free cloth to clean it. You can dampen the cloth with water or an eyeglass cleaner, but don’t apply liquids directly to the touchscreen.
Help, Service, and Support Surface help Support. For help and support info, go to Surface.com/Support. Find answers and share ideas with other Surface enthusiasts online in the Surface Community forum (Answers.Microsoft.com). Registration. If you haven't registered your Surface, go to Surface.com/Support/Register. Warranty and service. For warranty info, see Surface warranty on Surface.com. If your Surface needs service, see How to get service for Surface on Surface.com.
