Get started with Surface Pro

With Surface Pro, you can easily switch between touch, keyboard, mouse, and pen.

• Touch. Like a smartphone, you can interact with Surface using touch. For example, drag your finger across the screen to scroll. For info on using touch, see Touch, swipe, and beyond.
• Keyboard. Surface has two keyboard options: Touch Cover and Type Cover (sold separately). You can also use a full-size USB or Bluetooth keyboard if you’d like.
• Mouse. You can use the trackpad on Touch Cover or Type Cover, or connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse. See the Connect Devices section below for more about this.
• Pen. Take notes, draw, and mark up documents using the digital pen that’s included with Surface Pro.

Here’s what you need to know:

If you don’t use Surface for a while, the screen may dim or Surface may go to sleep to help preserve battery life . If you want to change the display and sleep settings, you need to edit your power plan. For info about this, see Surface Pro battery and power.

• Add your stuff. You can easily copy or move music, pictures, videos, and documents to your Surface. For info on how to do this, see Move files to your Surface.
• Access network files and devices. You can access files and printers that are shared on a network. For info about this, see Share files and folders on a network.
• Customize Start. Your Start screen can reflect who you are and what you care about. For info about this, see Personalize the Start screen.
• Choose colors and pictures. For info on changing your background, colors, and account picture see Colors & Pictures.
• Create multiple accounts. You can share your Surface, with each person having their own account. This way they can personalize Windows as they’d like and your files and settings stay private. For info about this, see Create a user account.

Connect a printer, a mouse, speakers, or a second screen

Surface Pro is compatible with devices that are certified for Windows 8.

• USB.Surface has a full-size USB 3.0 port, so you can connect a printer, music player, a mouse, or even an external hard drive. For info about this, see Connect a mouse, printer, and more.
• Bluetooth. Surface also supports Bluetooth devices like phones, speakers, headsets, mice, and keyboards. For more info, see Add a Bluetooth device.
• Connect to a TV, monitor, or projector. You can share a presentation or video by connecting Surface Pro to a projector or HDTV. Or if you need more screen space, you can connect a second monitor. For more info, see Connect to a TV, monitor, or projector.

Whether you're working, playing games, listening to music, or catching up with friends, you'll want to be online and connected.

Here’s how to get online:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
2. Tap or click the wireless network icon .
3. Tap or click your network, and then tap or click Connect.
4. Now browse the web by doing either of the following:
   • From the Start screen, tap or click Internet Explorer.
   • From the Start screen, tap or click Desktop, and then tap or click the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar (this starts Internet Explorer for the desktop).

For more info, see Browse the web with Internet Explorer.

Download the Surface Pro User Guide

Want to learn more? Download a free Surface Pro User Guide (PDF).

Once downloaded, you can open or print the guide using the built-in Reader app.