How To Set Up New Windows Laptop

For longtime PC owners, the make clean install is a time-honored ritual, a way to restore an quondam PC to new life and instantly resolve annoyances acquired by third-political party software.

I have gone through this process many times through the years, sometimes with brand-new, freshly unboxed PCs, and other times renewing an older PC with a freshly formatted system drive. Afterward all this time, I've developed a checklist to ensure that I don't miss any primal steps along the mode.

This post is the latest total update to the original version I published five years ago. It incorporates changes you lot'll encounter when using Windows 10 version 20H2 and subsequently.

I just ran through this process again with a five-yr-old desktop PC, replacing the SATA SSD with a modern NVMe module in a PCIe Gen3 x4 adapter. The entire process took less than an hour, and the departure in performance was as impressive as the original upgrade from hard bulldoze to SSD was five years agone. If you want to do the same with your older PC or laptop, follow this checklist.

With an unformatted or freshly formatted system drive, you'll need to beginning by installing Windows x. Download the installer files for the current version from the Get Windows 10 page and use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. (If y'all need a refresher on the process, encounter my FAQ: "How to install, reinstall, upgrade, and activate Windows 10.")

With that task out of the way, let'southward get started.

1. Check network, Windows edition, and activation status

Without a working connection to the Internet, you won't be able to do much of annihilation. In fact, most of the remaining steps on this checklist require an Internet connection.

For most PCs sold in the past v years, the built-in Windows ten network drivers work only fine. When y'all step through the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) portion of the process, Windows Setup will utilize an existing wired connection or prompt you for Wi-Fi credentials. After y'all finish setup and go to the Windows desktop, go to Settings > Network & Cyberspace > Condition. If you see a display like this, you're good to go.

This Settings page offers a network condition check and troubleshooting tools

I go on a USB-based Ethernet adapter (Amazon has a huge selection, including some solid performers in the $10-20 range) handy for those rare occasions when Windows doesn't have a built-in driver for the network adapter, but I didn't demand it for this task.

Next, become to Settings > Update & Security > Activation to confirm that yous installed the correct Windows edition and that your installation is properly activated. If you meet a problem with either of those settings, you'll demand to resolve the result before going any further. See this article for some troubleshooting assist: "How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro for free."

two. Fix multi-factor authentication for your account

Apply the Microsoft Account Security page to set your authentication options

If yous're setting upwards a PC that's managed past your corporate IT department, you'll need to follow their instructions, probably using an Azure AD business relationship. For a personal PC, though, I recommend that y'all use a gratuitous Microsoft account. (Confused by your options? See "Windows x setup: Which user business relationship type should you cull?")

And so, set up ii-pace verification to protect your business relationship from being compromised by someone who steals or phishes your credentials. This setting (sometimes called multi-factor authentication or 2-gene authentication) makes it dramatically more than difficult for an attacker to gain access to your account.

You'll notice step-by-step instructions here: "How to lock down your Microsoft account and go on it prophylactic from outside attackers." Installing the costless Microsoft Authenticator app and connecting it to your account adds a bonus feature: The next time you set up upwardly that account on a PC or mobile device, you can skip the password and sign in by responding to a prompt on your mobile device. You lot can as well recover your business relationship much more hands in the effect you forget your password.

iii. Turn on BitLocker encryption for your arrangement drive

Encrypting the contents of your arrangement bulldoze protects you from a nightmare scenario: Your PC is lost or stolen, and a thief is able to kick from a removable device and browse its contents with dispensation. Your all-time protection is to encrypt the entire device so that its contents are only available to you or someone with the recovery fundamental.

Microsoft uses the BitLocker brand name for the encryption tools available in business organization editions of Windows, including Windows 10 Pro. For instructions on how to enable BitLocker encryption, see "Use BitLocker to encrypt your organization bulldoze."

If your hardware and Windows edition allow, turn on BitLocker encryption for your organization drive

A limited but still constructive subset of the BitLocker device encryption characteristic is likewise available in Windows 10 Home edition; it requires that you sign in with a Microsoft account. For a detailed explanation of how this feature works, including instructions on how to back upwards your recovery key, see "Windows 10 Good's Guide: Everything y'all need to know nigh BitLocker."

Note that some older desktop hardware might lack the Trusted Platform Module support that BitLocker encryption requires.

4. Check updates and configure Windows Update settings

When y'all install the latest version of Windows 10, the Setup program automatically retrieves the second-nigh-recent monthly cumulative update. That precaution protects y'all from a scenario where the latest update has a serious bug that could prevent your system from running correctly. (The theory is that an update that's been out for at to the lowest degree 30 days is much less likely to be affected by that type of upshot.)

Then, this is the correct time to bank check Windows Update and get the latest cumulative update forth with whatever other pending updates. If you installed an older Windows 10 version, you might also be offered the latest available feature update.

With those tasks out of the fashion, bold y'all're running Windows 10 Pro, Education, or Enterprise, you tin can adjust your update settings to defer those monthly quality updates by upward to thirty days and too defer feature updates on a schedule of your choosing. For full instructions, come across "FAQ: How to manage Windows x updates."

5. Get device drivers up to date

Windows 10 does a remarkable chore of finding and installing drivers for just most every component in a modern PC, and so there's little demand to obsess over drivers. However, information technology'southward worth opening Device Manager and checking to see if your system has any obscure devices that don't have in-box drivers.

Outset things first, though. Before installing a new driver or making whatever other system changes, make certain System Restore is enabled. Press Windows central+R to open the Run box, enter the commandrstrui, and press Enter. If you see a message like the one shown here, click Arrangement Protection to open the System Restore settings, click Configure, and then click Turn on system protection.

Before updating device drivers or installing tertiary-political party software, turn on Arrangement Restore

With that precaution out of the way, correct-click Showtime (or printing Windows key+X) and then open Device Manager. If you lot see any Unknown Devices in the list, yous'll demand to track down a driver for that device. In some cases, peculiarly for older desktop PCs, installing the latest chipset driver will be enough to boot Windows Update into finding and downloading the correct drivers.

The best option, of class, is checking the manufacturer'southward page for the PC you're upgrading to run into if any BIOS updates, custom drivers, or utilities are available. On the PC I was working with final week, a visit to Dell's back up site turned up a comprehensive upgrade guide for this model of PC, with a detailed list of device drivers and even screenshots showing what Device Manager should look like. In most cases, Windows ten had already supplied a newer, more capable commuter, but there were a few useful additions.

6. Ready your default browser and password manager

Now that Microsoft Edge is built on the open source Chromium codebase, it's a perfectly adequate alternative to Google'due south Chrome, especially given its emphasis on preventing online tracking. For some people, though, the only reason to utilize Microsoft'south built-in browser is to download an alternative like Chrome or Firefox (Opera fanatics, make your example in the comments).

To set the new browser as default, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps. Nether the Web Browser heading, make certain your preferred browser is listed. If information technology's not, click the icon for the current default and so cull your browser. Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and clickSet defaults by app. Choose your browser from the list of default programs, click Manage, and and so review the listing of file types and protocols to match your preferences.

Fifty-fifty if yous're willing to take Microsoft Edge every bit the default browser, information technology'south a good idea to have a backup browser. Take this opportunity to download your favorite, and then sign in to sync bookmarks, tabs, and extensions.

Don't forget to set the extension for your password managing director. As I've said many times before, using a countersign manager is one of the near important security precautions you tin can accept. (If yous need convincing, read "Forgot countersign? Five reasons why y'all need a password manager.")

If you use a third-party password director, brand sure to plow off the passwords feature in your browser

There are plenty of fantabulous choices available. (If you need a recommendation, run into my roundup of the best countersign managers for business & personal utilise.) I prefer a password manager that as well provides support for multi-factor authentication, such as 1Password or LastPass, but it's more important to get this security option in place than to sweat over feature lists. You tin fifty-fifty use your browser's built-in password direction tools, if you prefer.

7. Configure cloud storage

The OneDrive customer installed with currently supported Windows x versions includes a characteristic called Files On-Demand, which allows you to go on all of your files in the cloud and nevertheless manage them using File Explorer.

Turn on the Files On-Need feature to brand OneDrive files bachelor in File Explorer without using local disk infinite

To review and adjust options for this feature, right-click the OneDrive icon and click Settings, then become to the Settings tab and click to ostend (and, if necessary, accommodate) the Files-On-Demand box.

When that choice is turned on, any folders you lot select volition appear in the local OneDrive folder but will continue to exist stored in the cloud. Right-click a file or binder from File Explorer and choose the Ever Keep On This Device option if y'all want that pick to be bachelor without having to wait for a download.

If yous prefer Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, or another deject storage service, download the sync customer for that service, sign in with your account, and begin syncing. If yous have no plans to use OneDrive, you can remove it from File Explorer and close down its prompts by following the instructions hither: "Windows x tip: Close down OneDrive completely."

viii. Restore information files

This used to be the about painful office of setting up a new PC. Cheers to deject-based file storage services, it's ridiculously easy today. If yous use OneDrive, all y'all have to do is sign in to the OneDrive customer to begin syncing Documents, Music, Pictures, and other folders.

For files that you previously backed up to local storage using File History or a third-political party plan, this is a good time to plug in that drive and restore those files to their rightful place.

nine. Install Office and other cloud-based apps

I consider Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) to be an essential add-on to Windows 10. Even if you're blasé about the desktop apps, an Office 365 subscription is worth it for the upgraded OneDrive cloud storage alone, and the subscription unlocks all of the features in the spider web-based apps.

The least expensive subscription, Function 365 Personal, costs less than $70 a year. For a household, the $100-a-year Function 365 Dwelling packet allows y'all to share the desktop apps and provide 1 TB of OneDrive storage with upwards to 5 family members in addition to yourself.

Y'all don't demand to hunt downwards installation media or product keys. Just sign in at Role.com and choose the Install Office option.

Subscription-based apps like Office tin can be installed straight from the spider web.

If you have other subscription-based apps, including Adobe's Creative Suite and any 3rd-party security or backup programs, y'all can install them now.

Gear up your Gmail account to sync with the Windows ten Calendar app then you lot tin can view your calendar with a single click

10. Set up electronic mail and calendar accounts

If yous utilise a standalone electronic mail client, you need to add business relationship information to information technology. Later installing Office 365, y'all take access to Microsoft Outlook, and running Outlook for the first time prompts you to enter your email accounts.

I also recommend adding your electronic mail accounts to the built-in Mail & Calendar customer in Windows 10, even if y'all plan to use a browser for checking a web-based account such every bit Gmail. Add your Gmail account and fix the pick to sync but your calendar and contacts, as shown hither.

With those settings, you tin come across your calendar in agenda format whatever time by clicking the date in the taskbar. (For more than on how this works, check out "Windows 10 tip: See all your calendars at a glance in calendar view.")

11. Set up your default printer and configure other hardware

Considering I have a networked printer, I invariably forget this step until the first time I have to print something. For nearly directly connected printers, all yous need to practice is plug the printer into a USB port, open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, and confirm that the printer is listed. Click the printer proper noun, click Manage, and and so utilise the Print A Exam Page choice every bit a final test.

From this Settings page, you tin add a printer or manage oine that'southward already prepare

To set a printer that's connected straight to the network, click Add A Printer Or Scanner and wait for Windows to find the device. If the printer's attached to another Windows PC on your network, open File Explorer, click Network, double-click the proper name of the computer the printer is attached to, and then double-click the printer name.

If you have an all-in-one printer or scanner that requires special control software, this is a good fourth dimension to download the latest version and confirm that all the hardware is working properly.

• Best printers for your domicile function

12. Reinstall legacy apps

The final pace is to install whatsoever other apps that you lot use regularly, whether they're from the Windows Shop or available as downloads. I accept a handful of essential apps and utilities I use on every new PC. For the sake of convenience, I keep the installer files for those programs in OneDrive, along with shortcuts to the download page for each program and a text file containing product keys and whatever other important details. (Y'all tin practise the same with any cloud-based storage service.)

Open up that folder, download and run the installers, and you're done.

You'll however have a few settings to tweak over the next few days and weeks, but the procedures I outline here should eliminate virtually of the headaches and have you productive on Day ane.

Encounter likewise:

• Windows Update for Business: A easily-on expect at how to accept control [Tech Pro Inquiry]
• 10 essential first steps afterwards installing Windows

Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-set-up-a-new-windows-10-pc-perfectly-in-one-hour-or-less/

Posted by: hartidowed.blogspot.com

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