Windows phone first steps: Connecting to your computer

Before you begin, ensure that your Windows phone and your computer running Windows 7 are turned on and that you are logged on to your computer. If you plan to use Microsoft Office Outlook, make sure it’s installed before you proceed. And you'll need the USB cable that came with your Windows phone to connect it to your computer. Here's what you'll do:

• Connect the smaller end of the USB cable to your Windows phone. Consult your manual for details on how to do this—typically you'll move aside a small plastic or rubber flap to expose the connector. Connect the other end to a USB port on your computer—there's usually at least one on the front of most modern computers.
  
  Within a few seconds you'll hear a chime and see a pop-up alert as Windows installs the necessary drivers for your Windows phone. This process should take less than 30 seconds. If the installation of the Windows phone doesn't work, try a different USB port on your computer or learn more about troubleshooting a cable connection.
  
• When the License Terms for Windows Mobile Device Center appear, click Accept and let the installation process finish.
  
  Windows Mobile Device Center is the software that enables your Windows phone and your computer running Windows 7 to communicate with each other.
  
• When the installation is complete, the Windows Mobile Device Center Start screen appears. You have two options on the Windows Mobile Device Center Start screen: to set up the device or to connect without setting it up. Because you want to partner your Windows phone with your computer, click Set up your device.
  Microsoft Office Outlook is the only program that Windows phones synchronize information with by default, so if you don't have Outlook installed, a warning message appears, and the e-mail, calendar, tasks, notes, and contacts on your Windows phone won't be synchronized with your desktop computer. Click OK to dismiss the message if it appears.
  
• Select the items you want to synchronize between your Windows phone and your computer. If you don't have Outlook installed, Mobile Favorites and Files are the only options available. Select the content you want to keep up to date, and then click Next. If you have Outlook installed, be sure to select the check boxes next to E-mail, Tasks, and Notes.
  
• Next, name your phone, and click the Set Up button.
  You'll see a progress indicator as Windows Mobile Device Center configures the phone and the computer. After a few moments, a new screen appears and the first synchronization starts.