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Ask Slashdot: Good Technical Guide To Windows 10?

An anonymous reader writes: Back 'in the day' you could easily find books on NT, Windows 2000, or Slackware that went into painstaking detail about every functional aspect of the operating system (think Slackware Unleashed). They covered the interplay between BIOS, boot sector, crash dumps, every command-line option, etc. Past about Win 2000 I fell way behind focusing on finishing my EE degree. Now when faced with a complex issue, I just end up at Google, but would prefer a good comprehensive book on recent Win8/Win10 architectures. Any suggestions? Are these books all but limited to course-prep now?

27 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. It's Soviet U.S.A. by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Windows 10 searches technical guide to you.

  2. Is there money is such books. by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Back in the days of NT and 2000, Internet connections were still primarily dialup Google while around, wasn't a dependable source to get info.

    Today it is far more convenient to get this info from the internet from multiple sources. So there isn't much of a market in all encompassing technical books.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Is there money is such books. by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 2

      Books that get out of date even before getting printed.

    2. Re:Is there money is such books. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Today it is far more convenient to get this info from the internet from multiple sources. So there isn't much of a market in all encompassing technical books.

      TechNet: Windows 10, for example.

    3. Re: Is there money is such books. by Grishnakh · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I'm sorry, but Windows 8/10 is completely unusable because of its awful UI. No, MS Office is not better, again because it requires the use of a completely unusable UI to get to it, so it's not even an option. And finally, MS's spyware makes Windows 10 a complete non-option.

    4. Re:Is there money is such books. by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Windows 10 is bad because it nags you to switch to it! Now I'll obliviously nag you to switch to Linux!"

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      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    5. Re: Is there money is such books. by dbIII · · Score: 2

      What is wrong with Windows 10

      Performance is a very obvious step below Win7 on some systems and the interface is confusing users. Maybe it will be ready for prime time after a few more updates but for the moment Win7 is still on sale.

      So yes, a pile of little tricks can be learned so that users can start their applications and shut down their computers, but do you really want to be the one listening to dozens of people bitching about how crap the new interface that needs stupid little tricks is?

      Open any office program and type Alt? See the shortcuts being shown?

      Word 1.0 had that FFS and MS had a design guide where for instance ALT-f-x would exit a program. That got broken along the way and the shortcuts vary between programs.

    6. Re: Is there money is such books. by Grishnakh · · Score: 2

      The entire metro interface is what's wrong with Windows 10, UI-wise. I don't think I need to go into any detail. It's complete and utter shit, plain and simple. And it's fucking ugly too.

      The other problem you completely skipped over is all the spyware. I'm not going to use an OS that spies on me and has a keylogger to capture my passwords.

      If someone is "religious" by refusing to be spied on willingly, then so be it.

  3. Windows internals.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Windows Internal books are really good for that kind of detail

    1. Re:Windows internals.. by Trax3001BBS · · Score: 2

      Totally agree with this comment and I am not sure but I think Mark Russinovich still write it? (not 100% sure anymore) but it is pretty much the most indepth to Windows in book form. I had a copy for Win 7 back in the day and it was great. Just not my learning style though. Otherwise you have to hunt and peck online for what you need (my preferred method).

      Mark Russinovich's write up on the Sony Rootkit a don't miss piece https://blogs.technet.microsof...

      While not a book the Systernal programs: Process Explorer, Process Monitor, and Autoruns are a must have, Process Monitor while not easy can follow a program to spot your query.

      Autoruns is pry the most important program you can run on a windows OS, it show everything that loads on boot up; Must set Options > Filter Options > unhide Microsoft entries as you can't trust MS anymore.

      The GWX entries can be left alone as long as you take ownership then delete the directory Windows\system32\GWX (these are all Microsoft entries).

  4. Up to date technical books by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Paul Thurrott has published a Field Guide to Windows 10 that you can purchase through his site at https://www.thurrott.com/store. He has been writhing Windows guides for a long time and i find them to be very helpful. With the ever changing nature of OS delivery these days, it is hard to keep current and so I think most gudes have migrated to the Internet. Another source is to look for books written by Mark Russinovich, I believe he is a fellow at Microsoft, but his books and software are highly regarded as well.

    1. Re:Up to date technical books by Curunir_wolf · · Score: 4, Funny

      He has been writhing Windows guides for a long time

      I've been writhing from Windows for a long time, myself.

      --
      "Somebody has to do something. It's just incredibly pathetic it has to be us."
      --- Jerry Garcia
  5. Windows 10: The Missing Manual by Scholasticus · · Score: 3, Informative
    Between the Missing Manual and some books Microsoft has announced (but not yet published), might find more-or-less what you're looking for.

    Missing Manual:

    http://www.amazon.com/Windows-...

    Microsoft Books:

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/micros...

  6. That Book Market Existed Pre-Web by EndlessNameless · · Score: 4, Informative

    That book market no longer exists. The vast majority of books are exam prep now.

    Now it's all about finding the right resources online.

    A proper search targeted at technet.microsoft.com (for admin issues) or msdn.microsoft.com (for dev issues) will usually be helpful.

    I've found technet to be more frequently helpful, and Stack Overflow or Stack Exchange are good alternatives to MSDN. Technet has an exhaustive, option-by-option descriptions of the modern CLI commands. This is the closest thing you'll probably find to those old books.

    If you are interested in scripting, you should probably familiarize yourself with PowerShell, as it is far more powerful and flexible than the traditional Windows CLI.

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    According to the latest ruleset, this post should be modded as Vorpal Flamebait +5.
    1. Re:That Book Market Existed Pre-Web by oakgrove · · Score: 2

      That book market no longer exists.

      Sure it does. Here's a list I pulled from one of my usual haunts. Just search Amazon or wherever on any of the titles.

      The Inside Guide To Windows 10 - For Desktop Computers Laptops Tablets And Smartphones

      Windows 10 Beyond the Manual

      Windows 10 - How to Solve 99 of the Biggest Problems in 10 Minutes 2015

      Windows 10 The Missing Manual

      Windows 10 Beyond the Manual - YOUR DEFINITIVE REFERENCE GUIDE TO MICROSOFT'S NEW OPERATING SYSTEM

      PC World - Windows 10 Super Guide

      Windows 10 All The Tips You Wish You Knew To Maximize It!

      Windows 10 Bible

      Essential Windows 10

      Top 100 Tips for Windows 10 2015

      The Definitive Guide to - Windows 10

      Microsoft Windows 10 Introductory

      Windows 10 Tips, Tricks & Apps Volume 1

      Computer Training Windows 10 Learn it the EASY way

      Windows 10 - The Ultimate User Guide

      Windows 10 All-in-One For Dummies

      Windows 10 Upgrade Walkthrough 2015

      Laptops for Seniors in Easy Steps Windows 10 Edition - Nick Vandome_1840786477

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      The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
    2. Re:That Book Market Existed Pre-Web by omnichad · · Score: 2

      None of those cover architectural details, the workings of EFI, etc.

      In the above list, you'll be amazed as it gives you WIN+A to bring up the Action Center or how to use the Refresh Your PC feature.

      Or maybe you're joking.

  7. Developer Resources For Windows by Phusion · · Score: 3, Informative

    Hi there, It's a shame everyone is just telling you not to use it, instead of being somewhat helpful. I am but a simple sysadmin and am too much of a burnout to do any development work, but have you checked out Microsoft's online resources? It looks like the Microsoft Virtual Academy at least has some info on the subject: MSVA The SDK is available on Windows Dev Center -- I don't know what you've looked through yet, but I don't think there's going to be a silver bullet for this one. Try to hobble along with MS Virtual Academy and the Devel blogs until someone releases a book/guide with everything you need.

    --
    640k ought to be enough for anyone.
  8. You don't need to know! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    You don't need to know anything technical about Windows 10! Windows 10 is designed to be so friendly and maintenance free, you will never have to do anything technical. Being technical is hard. You don't want life to be hard, so we're making it easy for you.

    Everything from remote updates to resetting your default apps is handled automatically so you don't have to waste your valuable time on it. We understand how important your time is to you, after all! We know you'd rather be out vlogging your night out with friends or Skyping with family than tinkering with your operating system.

    So, just sit back, relax, and enjoy Windows 10! It was designed just for you!

    1. Re:You don't need to know! by g01d4 · · Score: 2

      we're making it easy for you

      The incredibly sad part is that Microsoft can't see the sarcasm. It's frustrating now to have to "Search" for things you used to easily be able to find. And that's where books come in. The internet is fine when you're looking for a specific solution but it doesn't provide an overview of where things are at. It's like using a smart phone to get directions to an address whereas a book's like opening a map.

  9. Don't worry with the books by wbr1 · · Score: 2

    Escalating to google can always get you more up-to-date and precise information. Just use common sense and mind your sources.

    --
    Silence is a state of mime.
  10. Re:The Best Technical Guide? by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Neither Linux nor OSX are options to anyone interested in PC Gaming, or VR at the moment. Linux has more potential there, but realistically, if you enjoy AAA games with the most powerful graphics hardware available, it's Windows or nothing. (Yes there are consoles, I said Most Powerful Available).

    And the guy you're responding to IS trolling. Responding to an honest request for information with "shut up and go away" isn't productive in the slightest.

    --
    "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
  11. Re:compsci major by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I majored in comp sci. I don't read these kinds of books.

    I was working on the Google help desk in 2008 when I had to walk a recent computer science graduate through the process of turning on his PC. He was shocked — shocked! — that a cubicle farm wasn't like a computer lab and no one was standing around to turn on his computer. I'm always surprised by how many computer scientists don't know how to operate PC hardware. They probably don't read those kinds of books.

  12. "Windows 10: The Missing Manual" is pretty good by JimGleaves · · Score: 2

    When I had to learn it I used "Windows 10: The Missing Manual" by David Pogue and published by O'Reilly (who I work for). I also noticed that several other sites listed it as a top book: http://www.techradar.com/us/ne...

  13. There is no one single book by wjcofkc · · Score: 5, Informative

    With the broad based yet in depth material you are looking for, you will need several books. I know how you feel though, finding well written and laid out 800 - 1000+ page books that were written for experts is not as simple as it used to be. After first reading your question I went and took a look at a bookshelf I have containing my oldest tech books from fifteen or more years ago. You really can't find stuff like that anymore. I actually left out some Windows 10 books in my list below because 80 out of 800 pages being useful isn't worth it, at least not to me. So as a long time and frequent tech book buyer, here is this best I can come up with:

    The first would be: Windows 10 Inside Out http://www.amazon.com/Windows-.... It's about 900 pages of too simple for you through very complex concepts and procedures as they apply to that platform. It sounds like you would skip quite a bit, but there is enough in there to make it worth it.

    Then of course there is the Windows 10: The Missing Manual http://www.amazon.com/Windows-... This is another example where you will likely skip over a lot of material but the good stuff is in fact pretty good.

    Overwhelmingly above and beyond I want to recommend the Windows Internals series. However, I cannot find anything specific to Windows 10. As far as Windows 8 is concerned, this series is a stop here and buy this now kinda thing. If someone else can point in the right direction for Windows 10 coverage by this series, I myself would be grateful.

    Once you've covered broad based expertise which likely won't take you long, you really need to start thinking along the lines of studying a few highly specific topics.

    Oh, and then for either broad or focused based learning there is always the official MS Press series. I'm always a bit leery of that series though. I never purchase an MS Press book, especially recently released, unless I can find a substantial number of reviews across multiple sites for any one book. IMHO MS Press is the worst when it comes to publishing materials riddled with factually incorrect information, and reviews are the best way to get a heads up. Otherwise I think they make some of the greatest tech books. Sorry for not having a perfectly straight answer.

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    1. Re:There is no one single book by spacepimp · · Score: 2

      Over the last few months MS has back ported telemetry to Win 7, 8/8.1 and forced a heavy hand at upgrading that can't be turned off and even if you downgrade back to win 7 or 8/8.1 will still haunt the user. Then there are other aspects such as ignoring the privacy settings of end users among other things. In my opinion Win 10 getting modded down now vs several months past is people actually using it and seeing more first hand the state of world affairs from a win 10 keyboard experience. I am writing this from a top specced Surfacebook. The amount of times it just will stall at a black screen on boot up is atrocious. MS has spent more time on lock in and spying on the end user than they have on e actually making this hardware do what it is supposed to do. Right now the icons from my desktop are flickering and appearing over the top of outlook 2016 snapped to the left hand side of the monitor. This fun behavior started about two weeks ago.

  14. Re:The Best Technical Guide? by Gr8Apes · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Neither Linux nor OSX are options to anyone interested in PC Gaming, or VR at the moment.

    Hmmm, I guess my 100+ games on OSX and Linux are a figment of my imagination. As are several AAA games. I'm thinking you've bought the DirectX API is l337 hook line and sinker. The movement in games is away from solely MS. It won't surprise me if Windows x was a late comer to a game within the next year due to its current unstable base. Yep, Win10 can change APIs at a drop of the hat, or a single update push with little to no choice for most. Mass breakages have already happened and I don't believe for a moment there won't be more. The entire thing stinks like a pile of agile.

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    The cesspool just got a check and balance.
  15. Re: The Best Technical Guide? by mt2mb4me · · Score: 2