Help that really helps
Find your answers in Windows Vista
By Byron Ricks
The last thing I want to do when I get home from work is to get called back to work. This call usually comes from my family or any number of well-meaning friends and begins with a comment about the weather or a request to borrow yard tools. Then a pause, after which a reluctant voice asks: “I know you’ve been at work all day, but can you help me with my computer?” Of course. I’m pleased to help—and do. But I wonder why they call me first—rather than trying the built-in Help system for Windows.
Well, I know why. It’s because Help hasn’t always been so, er, helpful. But that’s changed in Windows Vista. Why? Because we’ve rewritten it from the ground up—based on your feedback.
Now, rather than merely documenting how Windows works, Windows Help actually answers the questions you and I (and friends and family) have been asking all along. It’s a great leap, so I want to share some of the great features in the new Windows Help and Support—the features that will give me my evenings back.
First, open it
Click Start and then click Help and Support. The Help and Support window will open. You’re in. You’ve already gone further than many, many others.
More than 2,000 topics—and way different
This isn’t War and Peace—I bet that you’ll find your answer after reading just one or two topics, without hunting around the entire Help system. Here’s why:
| • | A new voice for Windows. No, it’s not Clippy II. Help is easier to understand than in previous versions of Windows. It uses the language you use. You’ll notice the difference. |
| • | Help topics originate from your questions. We created topics based on common questions and problems. This is why Help topic titles often reflect the question you are likely asking or the problem you're trying to solve. You’ll know it when you see it. |
| • | Certain topics deliver certain types of content. Quick answers, procedures, troubleshooters, and FAQs give you answers quickly, while articles use a longer format to provide more information, best practices, and tips. |
| • | Help has more than 750 illustrations and screen shots to show you the way. |
Extra credit: Read all 2,000+ Help topics.
Reward: You’ll know a lot about Windows. Flaunt your skills as you help your family and friends with their computer problems.
Search for it
This is key. You know how to surf the web, right? Well, searching and browsing Help is just as easy. The Search box is near the top of the Help and Support window. I always start by searching when I have a good idea of what I’m looking for, or at least some specific words that will lead to my answer.
Type a word or phrase about your question in the Search box. Then press ENTER. Results appear, with the most useful topics at the top. Geeks might notice that search results can change over time as the topic ratings and number of times they’re clicked change. It’s part of our Help feedback, which you’ll learn about below.
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| Search box in Windows Help and Support |
Sometimes, when my question is less specific or I want to see topics related to a feature area, I browse. It’s just like reading the table of contents in a book. Click the Browse Help button 
, and there’s now a list of subject headings to explore.
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| Browsing Help is similar to using a book's table of contents |
Better when connected
When you’re connected to the Internet, you‘ll get the most recent, real-time online Help—including new and revised topics. The bottom line: Getting more topics gives you a better chance of finding the answer you need.
To get connected, click Yes when you’re asked if you want to get online Help the first time you open Help and Support. If you missed this first opportunity to connect, you can change your status from Offline Help to Online Help in the lower-right corner of the Help and Support window. Check out this topic to learn more: Get the latest Help content.
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| Use the menu in the lower-right corner of the Help window to get the latest Help |
Windows Help online
Here’s another way to get Windows Help: Windows Help online. Here you’ll find all of our regular Help plus links to discussion groups, blogs, and Windows communities. The discussion groups are a big deal. They let you ask questions and get answers directly from other Windows users.
Demos—the video stars
Sometimes it’s good to see how to do something before actually trying to do it—advice I should have followed before trying to repair our furnace last January. And when it comes down to it, we don’t all learn the same way, especially when learning something new like using a computer. That’s why the Help system features instructional videos, or demos. You can see all Windows Vista demos
on the web. We began with demos that novice computer users would find especially helpful, and we’ll keep adding to the list with more advanced demos. There are demos about user accounts, using the web, security basics, and working with programs. They aren’t the feature-length Windows tours of the past. They last a few minutes each—no time to become a couch potato.
The basics
Welcome to Windows Vista 101. If you’re new to Windows, or to computers for that matter, Windows Basics articles
are well worth reading. Packed with illustrations and screen shots, the articles describe the basic skills you need to use Windows Vista. Even if you think you know it all, you might find that these articles help keep you playing at the top of your game.
You tell us if we have it right
This is your chance. If a Help topic doesn’t have the information you think it should, send us feedback so we can improve it. We really want to hear from you, because your feedback drives our work. It tells us what you want to know and which topics we need to revise or create.
You can give feedback on Help topics when you’re connected to the Internet. To give feedback, click the Yes, No, or Somewhat buttons at the bottom of any topic. If other words describe your opinion, you can write them in the comments section. Just so you know, we don’t collect any personal information—just your feedback about Help topics.
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| Let us know: Look for the feedback buttons at the bottom of each Help topic |
When you can't find the answer you need—ask
Okay, Windows Vista Help might not answer every question. Here are a few tips: At the top of the Help window, click the Ask button and you can perhaps find the answer you’re after. Here you’ll find links to Windows Remote Assistance to get help from a friend or offer help to others. You can post a question or search for an answer in Windows communities, or search for your answer in Knowledge Base articles, and other resources.
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| Click the Ask button to check other sources for your answer |
My evenings return
I’m confident that my life after work will free up for something fun. Windows Vista Help leaves my friends little reason to call me for computer help after hours. Hopefully, they’ll call for some other reason though—a dinner out would be nice. So for now, I’m going to leave the phone on the hook and relax.
About the author
Byron Ricks is a writer on the Windows team at Microsoft. Outside of Microsoft, he has written about natural history, technology, and travel for numerous magazines and websites.
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