Surface 3 User Guide With Windows 8.1 Published: 2015 Version 1.
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Contents Meet Surface 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Surface 3 features 1 Set up your Surface 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 3 The basics ..............................................................................................................................................
Type Cover keyboard and touchpad ......................................................................................................... 15 16 Touchpad Storage .................................................................................................................................................................. 17 17 How much space do I have? OneDrive: Your personal cloud....................................................................................................................
Close an app 27 Change settings for an app 27 Built-in apps 28 Microsoft Office 32 More installed apps 32 Install more apps 34 Customization and settings ......................................................................................................................... 35 Personalize your lock screen 36 Personalize your Start screen 36 Adjust your touchscreen settings 37 Sync your settings 37 Add a language 37 Desktop settings 38 Accessibility ..................................
Meet Surface 3 Meet Surface 3, the tablet that can replace your laptop. Use this guide to get started with your Surface 3. For more Surface 3 details and how-to info, go online to Surface.com. Surface 3 features Power button Press the power button to turn Surface 3 on. When Surface 3 is on, press and hold the power button to shut down. You’ll also use the power button to put Surface to sleep, and to wake it when you’re ready to start working again.
Ports and connectors Software Surface 3 has the ports you expect in a full-feature laptop: • Full-size USB 3.0 port Connect a USB accessory—like a mouse, printer, Ethernet adapter, USB drive, or smartphone. • Micro USB charging port Charge Surface 3 using the Micro USB charging port and included Micro USB power supply. (The charging port is only for charging Surface 3 and not for transferring data). • MicroSD card slot Use the microSD card slot for extra storage and transferring files.
Sensors Four sensors—compass, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope—enable apps to do things like track motion and determine location. Set up your Surface 3 If you have a Surface 3 Type Cover, click it into place and open the kickstand. Grab the power supply, plug the Micro USB connector into the Micro USB charging port, and plug the other end of the cable into an electrical outlet. Press the power button to turn Surface 3 on. Windows starts, and guides you through the setup process.
The basics Power and charging To charge Surface 3: 1. Plug the Micro USB connector into the Micro USB charging port on Surface 3. 2. Plug the full size USB connector on the other end of the cable into the power supply. 3. Plug the power supply into an electrical outlet. It takes 2-4 hours to charge Surface 3 fully from an empty state, but can take more time if you’re actively using Surface 3 for power intensive activities like gaming or video streaming.
• Keyboard. Click in a Surface 3 Type Cover (sold separately) or use a full-size USB or Bluetooth keyboard. There’s also a built-in on-screen keyboard you can use. For more info, see How to use the Surface on-screen keyboard on Surface.com. • Touchpad or mouse. Use the Type Cover touchpad, or connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse. See Touchpad use and settings, Connect a USB mouse, printer, and more, and Add a Bluetooth device on Surface.com more info. • Surface Pen.
Disconnect from a network 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings > wireless network wired network 2. (or ). Select the network with a Connected status, and choose Disconnect. Accounts and sign in Sign in and sign out To sign in: 1. Turn on or wake Surface by pressing the power button. 2. Swipe up on the screen or tap a key on the keyboard. 3. If you see your account name and account picture, enter your password and select the right arrow or press Enter on your keyboard.
Microsoft account or local account? Here are some key differences between a Microsoft account and a local account: Microsoft account Local account An email address and password you use to sign in on computers running Windows 8.1 or later, and to sign in to other Microsoft services like Xbox, Hotmail, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Skype, or Windows Phone. A user name and password that only works on this one computer. You can keep your personal settings in sync with any other PC you have running Windows 8.
Account types: Standard, Administrator, or Child The account type determines what you can do using that account. These are the account types you can assign to an account: • Administrator. When you sign in with an administrator account, you can create, change, or remove (delete) other accounts, and you can set the account type on other accounts you create. You can also install apps. The first account on your Surface is always an administrator account.
3. Select Edit, and under Account type, choose the account type, and select OK. To delete an account: 1. Sign in with an Administrator account. 2. Go to Start , and select PC settings account you want to remove. 3. Select Remove > Delete account and data. > Accounts > Other accounts, and select the For more on accounts, see All about accounts on Surface.com.
Open an app Select a tile on Start to open the app. If you don’t see the app you want, select Search , enter the name of the app, and select it from the list. To see a full list of the apps on your Surface, swipe up on the Start screen to get to Apps view. (If you’re using a mouse, click the arrow near the lower-left corner of the screen.) For more info about apps, see Apps on your Surface.
Learn more about Windows Get up to speed with Windows 8.1, see Get to know Windows on Surface.com, and check out the Windows tutorial on Windows.com. To learn how to customize and personalize your Surface, sync and change your settings, and more, see Customization and settings.
Make sure you have the latest Surface updates To make sure you that you have all the latest Surface hardware updates successfully installed: 1. Go to the Surface 3 update history page on Surface.com and look in the table at the top of the page to see the latest available System Update. 2. Compare that to the last System Firmware or System Hardware update you see when you view your update history on your Surface 3.
Surface Pen features Top button Click the top button to open OneNote. Double-click to capture a screenshot. Bluetooth technology links the top button of your Surface Pen to your Surface 3. Right-click button This button acts like the right-click button on a mouse. Click it once in apps like OneNote to open a menu to choose pen color, thickness, and other options. You can also click and hold the button to select text. Eraser button Hold down the eraser button and move the tip over the area you want to erase.
Double-click the top button on Surface Pen to take a screenshot. Then, select what you want to capture in the screenshot by dragging the tip of the pen from one corner of your selection to the opposite corner. When you lift the pen tip, your selection appears in a new page in OneNote. You can use the Surface app to adjust your pen’s pressure sensitivity, or change which version of OneNote opens when you click the pen’s top button.
You can use the Surface Pen in drawing apps, and many others—any app that supports ink. Even if your app doesn’t support inking, you can use your Surface Pen to enter text using the handwriting panel in the on-screen keyboard. Here’s how: 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and select Settings. 2. Select Keyboard > Touch keyboard and handwriting panel Handwriting . 3. Write something on the handwriting panel. Your words are automatically converted to text. 4.
Decreases keyboard backlighting Increases keyboard backlighting Dims the screen Brightens the screen To use function keys instead of the special key assignments, press the Fn key (in the bottom row of keys on the keyboard). A light on the Fn key lets you know you’re in function key mode. Press Fn again to leave function key mode. For detailed info about adjusting keyboard backlighting, using the shortcut keys, function keys, and more, see Type Cover on Surface .com.
For more info, see Change touchpad settings in PC settings on Surface.com. Storage You have many storage options with Surface 3. In addition to the storage on the hard drive on Surface 3, you have external storage options like OneDrive (cloud storage), USB drives, and microSD cards. How much space do I have? The amount of storage space available on your hard drive depends on which version of Surface 3 you have, what apps you’ve installed, and how much data you’re storing already.
Save files from any desktop app to a OneDrive folder by navigating to it when you save. When you open or save files from a Windows Store app, you can choose OneDrive or This PC as the location. Select the down arrow to choose your location. In the same way, you can open files from within an app. Get to your files from anywhere There are several ways to get to your OneDrive folders and files: • Sign in to any PC with the Microsoft account you use on your Surface.
You can also copy files to Surface from a thumb drive or external hard drive, or by copying them from the Internet or your local network. Use OneDrive to share files You can use OneDrive to share photos, Office docs, and other files 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. 1. Go to Start , open OneDrive and select the files or folders you want to share.
Connect with a cable and adapter To connect Surface 3 to another screen without wireless, you’ll need a compatible cable and possibly an adapter. Look at the video ports on your TV, monitor, or projector to figure out which adapter or cable you need: • HDTV. If your TV has an HDMI port, you’ll need an HDMI cable and a Mini DisplayPort to HD AV adapter or an HDMI to Mini DisplayPort cable. (Both are sold separately). • Projector or monitor.
• Extend. You'll see everything spread over all screens, and you can drag and move items between them. • Second screen only. You’ll see everything on the connected screen or screens, and your Surface screen will be blank. For more info, see Connect Surface Pro or Surface 3 to a TV, monitor, or projector on Surface.com. Connect a USB accessory (printer, mouse, and more) Surface 3 has a full-size USB 3.
For more info on connecting accessories, see Connect a USB mouse, printer, and more and Add a Bluetooth device on Surface.com. To learn how to use the audio features built-in to your Surface, see Surface audio features. Print or scan To learn how to connect a USB printer or scanner, see Connect a USB accessory (printer, mouse, and more). For info on connecting a Bluetooth printer or scanner, see Add a Bluetooth accessory. To see if your printer is installed: 1. Go to Start , and select PC settings 2.
• Settings. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings > Speakers adjust the volume up or down. • Desktop taskbar. On the desktop taskbar (lower-right corner), select Speakers adjust the volume up or down. • Audio accessories. Adjust the volume on an audio accessory—like a headset, speakers, or phone—using the volume control on the accessory, or in the software included with the accessory. For more info, check the info that came with your accessory or visit the manufacturer's website.
After you've selected your default devices, select OK. Change which sounds play You can choose which sounds play for notifications and system events (for example, the sound that plays when you get a new message.) Here's how: 1. Go to Start , select Search , enter sound, and then choose Sound. 2. Select the Sounds tab, and under Program Events, choose an event (for example, Calendar Reminder). 3. Under Sounds, select the sound you want to play for that event. To hear the sound, select Test. 4.
Record a video 1. Go to Start , and open the Camera app. 2. Tap the on-screen Video button. 3. Optionally, tap the screen to focus on a spot while you’re recording the video. 4. To exit, press the Windows button on your Surface. Take a photo or video from the lock screen The perfect shot might not wait for you to unlock your Surface, but you can set up Surface to let you take photos and videos from the lock screen. Here’s how to set up and use this feature.
Apps on your Surface Apps to help you stay connected, entertained, informed, and productive come pre-installed and ready to use on your Surface 3. Find more apps quickly and easily in the Windows Store, or install your favorite desktop apps. Find and open an app Tap a tile on the Start screen to open the app. If you don’t see the app that you want, select Search , enter the name of the app, and select it from the list. Or, swipe up on the Start screen to Apps view to see a full list of your installed apps.
See Use more than one app at the same time on Surface.com to learn how to open apps side by side. Close an app Close a Windows Store app Apps that you install from the Windows Store don’t slow down your Surface when you’re using them. If you want to close one of these apps, here’s how: • Use touch. Swipe in from the left edge of the screen, and push back toward the left edge.
Built-in apps Internet Explorer 11 Surface comes with two versions of Internet Explorer—a touch-friendly version with oversized tabs and tiles for easy tapping, and a version for the desktop. Browse with touch-friendly Internet Explorer 1. Go to Start , and open Internet Explorer. 2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the address bar. 3. Tiles for your favorite sites and open tabs appear above the address bar (scroll to see all the tiles). 4.
Here are some tips to get you started. For more info, see Set up and use Mail on Surface.com and the Mail app tutorial on Windows.com. If you’ve signed in to Surface with a Microsoft account, your mail account is already set up. You can then add other accounts, from Outlook, Gmail, AOL, Yahoo!, and even your work email (Exchange ActiveSync). After you add an email account, contacts from your email account appear in the People app and appointments appear in the Calendar app. Here’s how to add accounts: 1.
To learn how to add individual contacts, pin contacts to Start, use the People app to post updates, and more see People app on Surface.com and People app help on Windows.com. Calendar The Calendar app brings all your calendars together in one place. Reminders and notifications help you remember what’s happening, so you never miss a thing. To add a calendar: 1. Go to Start , and open the Calendar app. 2.
Add contacts 1. In Skype, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, select add contact, and search for people by name, Skype name, or email address. If you can't find the person, select search directory. 2. Select the person you want to add, select add to contacts, and follow the on-screen instructions. Start a call or chat • Open Skype and select a contact name. Then do one of the following: • Select call to make a voice call. • Select video • Enter a message in the chat window.
Xbox Music can play any music in your music library. The library can include files in any folder on your Surface, or even an external hard drive or removable media such as a USB drive or microSD card, but it’s best to copy the music to your Surface. Here’s how to add music to the library: 1. Go to Start Explorer. , select Search , enter the phrase file explorer, and then choose File 2. Browse to the folder of music files that you want to add, and then press and hold (or right-click) it. 3.
News Keep up to date with what’s happening in the world using this photo-rich app. For more info, see News app on Windows.com. Alarms Manage and keep track of time by using alarms, timers, or a stopwatch. For more info, see Alarms app on Windows.com. Maps See your current location, zoom in for more detail, zoom out for a bigger picture, and get directions. See Maps app on Windows.com for more info.
Install more apps You can also install apps on Surface 3 from the Windows Store, websites, CDs, or DVDs. Get apps from the Windows Store To find apps to install from the Windows Store, connect to the Internet and sign in using a Microsoft account. Your Microsoft account keeps track of the apps you install, your preferences, and your payment methods. Here’s how to find and install apps from the Windows Store: 1. Go to Start 2. Look for apps. You can: 3. , and open the Windows Store.
3. Under Apps not installed on this PC, swipe down on (or right-click) the apps you want to install on Surface. 4. Select Install to install the selected apps. Buy apps for kids If your child uses their own account to sign in to Surface, they probably don’t have a payment method attached to their account to buy apps. You can buy apps for your child, or install apps that you already own for them. For more info, see How to buy apps for kids on Windows.com.
• Control Panel. Go to Start setting type. , select PC settings • Settings. Swipe in from the right side of the screen, and select Settings > Change PC settings, and choose a setting type. • Search. Go to Start it from the list. • Surface app. Open this app to adjust settings for the Surface Pen (sold separately), to disable the Windows button on your Surface, and more. , select Search > Control Panel, and choose a , and enter the name of the setting.
• Select one or more tiles and apply an action like Resize or Unpin from start to all of them. • Drag tiles to new positions. • Swipe up to see all your apps in Apps view. Press and hold (or-right click) a tile to open app commands, and choose an action like Pin to Start. Adjust your touchscreen settings To calibrate your taps, flicks, to choose left- or right-handedness, and other touchscreen settings: • Go to Start , select Search PC Settings from the list.
1. Go to Start , and select PC settings language > Add a language. > Time and language > Region and 2. Select a language from the list to add it to your Languages list. 3. To make the new language your primary language, under Languages select the language you want to make your primary language, and select Set as primary. You can do this now or later. After you’ve set up additional languages, you can switch between them in desktop mode by selecting the keyboard icon in the taskbar.
• High contrast lets you use a high contrast theme that makes items easier to read. To use a High contrast theme, choose a high contrast theme from the drop-down box, adjust the colors if you want to, and select Apply. • Keyboard You can choose whether to control your Surface by using an on-screen keyboard. This is also where you set sticky keys, filter out repeated keystrokes, and set Surface to play a tone when you toggle Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock.
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. Don’t use window cleaner or other chemical cleaners on the touchscreen. • Keep it covered.
and password that you use to sign in to your Surface and to download apps from Windows Store), and the serial number of your Surface 3 or Surface 3 Type Cover. For more info, see Find the serial number on Surface or Find the serial number on your Surface Cover on Surface.com. Repair Before you send your Surface product in for service, you can check out the Surface troubleshooting articles on Surface.com. If you can’t solve the problem with troubleshooting, contact us through Surface.com.
