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Windows, Xbox, and Xbox Live are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
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may change without notice.
Set up your Surface 3 ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
The basics .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
POWER AND CHARGING ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Make your battery last .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Touch, keyboard, pen, and mouse ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Get online: Networking .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Connect to a Wi-Fi network .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Connect to a wired network .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Disconnect from a network...................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Accounts and sign in ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
SIGN IN AND SIGN OUT ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Microsoft account or local account? ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Account types: Administrator, standard, or child ........................................................................................................................... 10
Manage accounts with an administrator account ......................................................................................................................... 10
Get to know Windows ...................................................................................................................................................11
OPEN AN APP ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
THE FAMILIAR DESKTOP ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
LEARN MORE ABOUT WINDOWS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Keep your Surface up to date ......................................................................................................................................13
VIEW YOUR UPDATE HISTORY ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST SURFACE UPDATES ............................................................................................................................ 14
Surface Pen and OneNote ............................................................................................................................................14
SET UP SURFACE PEN .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
SURFACE PEN FEATURES ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
USE SURFACE PEN IN OTHER APPS .................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Type Cover keyboard and touchpad ...........................................................................................................................17
HOW MUCH SPACE DO I HAVE? ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20
OneDrive: Your personal cloud ....................................................................................................................................20
SAVE AND OPEN FILES ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
GET TO YOUR FILES FROM ANYWHERE .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
Use OneDrive to share files ................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Connect accessories and devices .................................................................................................................................22
CONNECT A TV, MONITOR, OR PROJECTOR ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
Connect to a wireless display ................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Connect with a cable and adapter ...................................................................................................................................................... 22
Set up your screens ................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
CONNECT A USB ACCESSORY (PRINTER, MOUSE, AND MORE) ...................................................................................................................... 24
ADD A BLUETOOTH ACCESSORY ........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
ADD AN AUDIO ACCESSORY ............................................................................................................................................................................... 24
PRINT OR SCAN .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Surface audio features ..................................................................................................................................................25
ADJUST THE VOLUME .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
RECORD AUDIO .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
SET THE DEFAULT AUDIO DEVICE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
CHANGE WHICH SOUNDS PLAY.......................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Cameras and the Camera app ......................................................................................................................................27
TAKE A PHOTO ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
TAKE A PANORAMA ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
RECORD A VIDEO ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
TAKE A PHOTO OR VIDEO FROM THE LOCK SCREEN ......................................................................................................................................... 28
ADJUST THE FOCUS ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Apps on your Surface ....................................................................................................................................................29
FIND AND OPEN AN APP ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
SWITCH BETWEEN APPS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
CLOSE AN APP ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Close a Windows Store app ................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Close a desktop app ................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
CHANGE SETTINGS FOR AN APP ......................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Internet Explorer 11 .................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
People ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Video .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 34
Music .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
MICROSOFT OFFICE ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 35
MORE INSTALLED APPS ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 36
INSTALL MORE APPS ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 37
Get apps from the Windows Store ...................................................................................................................................................... 37
Add or edit your payment method ..................................................................................................................................................... 37
Install apps that you installed on other PCs .................................................................................................................................... 38
Buy apps for kids ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Customization and settings ..........................................................................................................................................39
PERSONALIZE YOUR LOCK SCREEN ..................................................................................................................................................................... 39
PERSONALIZE YOUR START SCREEN ................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Change color and background ............................................................................................................................................................. 39
ADJUST YOUR TOUCHSCREEN SETTINGS ........................................................................................................................................................... 40
SYNC YOUR SETTINGS ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Choose which settings sync across PCs ............................................................................................................................................. 40
ADD A LANGUAGE ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
Choose where you go when you sign in ........................................................................................................................................... 41
Change the desktop background, colors, and sound .................................................................................................................... 41
Mobile networking on Surface 3 (4G LTE) .................................................................................................................42
SET UP YOUR MOBILE BROADBAND CONNECTION ........................................................................................................................................... 42
USE AN APP FROM YOUR MOBILE OPERATOR ................................................................................................................................................... 42
PROTECT YOUR MOBILE CONNECTION WITH A PIN ........................................................................................................................................ 42
MANAGE MOBILE BROADBAND DATA USAGE ................................................................................................................................................... 43
Settings that help you minimize mobile broadband use ............................................................................................................ 43
Habits to minimize mobile broadband use ..................................................................................................................................... 43
Keep an eye on your data usage ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
EASE OF ACCESS ON THE SIGN-IN SCREEN ....................................................................................................................................................... 44
Care and cleaning ..........................................................................................................................................................45
PROTECT YOUR SURFACE FROM VIRUSES .......................................................................................................................................................... 45
TOUCHSCREEN CARE ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
COVER CARE ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
BATTERY CARE ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
Registration, repair, and warranty ..............................................................................................................................46
REGISTER YOUR SURFACE 3 AND SURFACE 3TYPE COVER ........................................................................................................................... 46
More help ........................................................................................................................................................................46
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 your Surface to sleep and to wake it when you’re ready to start
working again.
Windows button
The Windows button takes you to the Start screen where you can open
your apps quickly and search for files on your Surface or info on the web.
If you’re already at the Start screen, the Windows button takes you back to
the last app you were using.
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.
Use the 10.8” ClearType full HD display, with its 3:2 aspect ratio and 1920 x
1280 resolution display, to watch HD movies, browse the web, and use
your favorite apps.
10-point multi-touch lets you use your fingers to select, zoom, and move
things around.
Kickstand
Flip out the three-position kickstand to work or play comfortably at your
desk, on the couch, or while giving a hands-free presentation.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Surface supports standard Wi-Fi protocols (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) and
Bluetooth® 4.0. Connect to a wireless network and use Bluetooth devices
such as keyboards, mice, printers, and headsets.
Cameras
Surface 3 features an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus and a
3.5 megapixel, fixed-focus, front-facing camera. Both cameras record video
in 1080p, with a 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen). Front and back privacy
lights help make sure there are no surprises.
Microphone
Use the front-facing microphone for calls and recordings.
Stereo speakers
Stereo speakers with Dolby® enhanced sound let you listen to music,
podcasts, and audio books.
Surface 3 (4G LTE) includes built-in mobile broadband capability, which
you can use to connect to the Internet when a Wi-Fi network isn’t
available. See Set up your Surface 2 (4G) or Surface 3 (4G LTE) for more
info.
If you have a Surface 3 Type Cover, click it into
place and open the kickstand.
If you have a Surface 3 (4G LTE) and an uninstalled
Nano SIM card, install the SIM card.
Plug the Micro USB connector into the Micro
USB charging port with the power cord
extending downward and the light on the
connector facing toward you.
Plug the full-size USB connector on the other end
of the cord into the power supply, and plug the
power supply into an electrical outlet.
Press the power button to turn Surface 3 on.
Windows starts, and guides you through the setup
process.
Use the Surface 3 touchscreen or Surface 3 Type Cover (sold separately) to enter info during setup.
To set up Surface 3, you’ll also need:
An Internet connection (recommended). Setup will automatically try to connect to a network. If
your network requires a password, you’ll need to have it handy. If you don’t have an Internet
connection, you can still set up your Surface, but you won’t get the latest Windows and Surface
updates until you’re online.
If you have a Surface 3 (4G LTE), use a Wi-Fi connection for setup if you can. Wi-Fi is usually
cheaper and faster than a mobile broadband connection.
An account name. If you have a Microsoft account, use it to set up your Surface 3. A Microsoft
account is an email address and password you use to sign in to other Microsoft services like
Xbox, Hotmail, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Skype, or Windows Phone. If you don’t already have a
Microsoft account, you can create one during setup. If you prefer, create a local account. For
more info, see Microsoft account or local account?
For more info on getting set up, see Set up your Surface on Surface.com.
the Micro USB charging port with
the power cord extending downward
and the light on the connector
facing toward you.
2. Plug the full-size USB connector on
the other end of the cord into the
power supply.
3. Plug the power supply into an
electrical outlet.
Allow two to four hours to charge your Surface 3 fully from an empty state. It can take longer if
you’re actively using your Surface for power-intensive activities like gaming or video streaming.
If the battery is drained, you’ll need to charge Surface 3 for a few minutes before it’ll turn on.
Depending on how low the battery is, you may see a battery icon on the screen for 10-15 minutes
before Windows starts.
To check the battery level, open the desktop
and select the battery status icon on the
right side of the taskbar.
Important Your Surface 3 is designed to
work best with the included power supply.
Using a third-party power supply may result
in slow charging.
For info on how to conserve power and make your Surface battery last longer, see Surface Pro and
Surface 3 battery and power on Surface.com. To learn about settings that control how your Surface
uses power, see Power plans: Frequently asked questions on Windows.com.
Touch, keyboard, pen, and mouse
With Surface, you can easily switch between using touch, keyboard, mouse, or pen.
Touch. You can use your fingers on the touchscreen, the same as you would on a smartphone.
For example, drag your finger across the screen to scroll. For demos of the gestures you can
use, see Touch: Tap, swipe, and beyond on Surface.com.
Keyboard. Click in a Surface 3 Type Cover (sold separately) or use a full-size USB or Bluetooth
keyboard. Your Surface 3 also has 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's touchpad, or connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse.
For more info, see Touchpad use and settings, Connect a USB mouse, printer, and more, and
Add a Bluetooth device on Surface.com.
Surface Pen. Take notes, draw, and mark up documents using Surface Pen (sold separately).
You can jot a quick note in OneNote, even when your Surface is locked. Just click the pen and
start writing. Your note will be in the Quick Notes section of OneNote the next time you sign in.
For more info, see Using Surface Pen on Surface.com.
Get online: Networking
Even if you have a Surface 3 (4G LTE), connecting to a wireless or wired network when you can is a
good idea. It helps you stay within your data plan limits, and the Wi-Fi or wired network is usually
faster. For more info, see Mobile networking on Surface 3 (4G LTE).
Connect to a Wi-Fi network
1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and select Settings > wireless network.
2. Select a network name, and select Connect. (If you want to connect to this network every
time it's in range, select Connect automatically.)
3. If prompted, enter your network security key (network password), and select Next. If you
need help finding your wireless network password, see How to find your wireless network
password on Surface.com.
4. Choose whether to connect to other PCs and devices on the network. Choose Noif you’re
connecting to a network in a public place like a café.
1. Plug a USB to Ethernet adapter (sold separately) into the USB port on your Surface.
2. Plug an Ethernet cable into the adapter, and plug the other end of the cable into your
router or an Ethernet network port.
3. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and select Settings > wired network.
4. If prompted, enter your user name and password.
5. To see if you’re online, go to Start, and open Internet Explorer.
Disconnect from a network
1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings > wireless network (or
wired network).
2. Select the network with a Connected status, and select Disconnect.
Accounts and sign in
Sign in and sign out
To sign in:
1. Turn on or wake your 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.
4. If you see a different account name, select the left arrow. Then select your own account,
enter your password, and select the right arrow or press Enter on your keyboard.
To sign out:
Go to Start, select your account name in the upper-right corner, and select Signout.
Additional accounts
Each person who uses your Surface should have his or her own account. When you set up your
Surface, your account is created based on the info you supply.
From this account, you can create, modify, or remove other accounts. If you want, you can give
other accounts these abilities, too. For details, see Manage accounts with an administrator 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 works only on
this one computer.
You can keep your personal settings in sync
with any other PC running Windows 8.1 or
Windows RT 8.1 that you sign into with your
Microsoft account.
You need to personalize each computer
individually.
When you sign in to your Surface with your
Microsoft account, you’re also connected to
your OneDrive, Skype, and Windows Store
accounts.
You’ll need to sign on to services like
OneDrive, Skype, or Windows Store each time
you want to access them.
Documents, photos, and other files you create
are saved to your OneDrive by default.
OneDrive is like a local folder that follows you
wherever you sign in with your Microsoft
account.
Your files aren’t automatically saved to the
cloud.
If you forget the password for a Microsoft
account, you can go to
https://account.live.com/password/reset to
reset your password online.
If you forget the password for your local
account, Microsoft can’t help you reset your
password or access your files.
First, though, think about whether any new account you create will be a local account that works
only on this one Surface, or a Microsoft account (an email address and password that you use to
sign in to Windows). A Microsoft account provides the best experience.
Later, you can decide what level of control the account should have. For more info, see Account
types: Administrator, standard, or child.
Microsoft account or local account?
Here are some key differences between a Microsoft account and a local account:
If you’re not sure whether you have a Microsoft account, or you can't remember the email address
you used with those services, you can easily sign up for a new, free email address. See Create a user
account on Windows.com to learn how.
Account types: Administrator, standard, or child
The account type determines what you can do using that account. Choose one of these account
types:
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. To create another
administrator account, you need to first create the new account and then edit it to make it an
administrator account.
Standard. People using a standard account can create and edit files and personalize their
settings, but they can’t create, change, or remove other accounts. They may not be able to
install some apps. When you create a new account, it’s a standard account unless you edit the
account to make it an administrator account or unless you set it up as a child account.
Child. Child accounts are controlled by the Family Safety settings you apply to the account. See
Keep your kids safer on the PC on Windows.com to learn how to turn on Family Safety features.
Manage accounts with an administrator account
When you sign in with an administrator account, you can create, change, or remove other
accounts.
To create an account:
1. Sign in with an administrator account.
2. Go to Start, and select PC settings > Accounts > Other accounts > Add an
account.
3. Enter the email address that the new account will use to sign in to Windows, and select
Next.
If you know the email address the new account user uses to sign in to Microsoft services,
enter it. Or, you can sign up for a new email address, add a child’s account, or sign in