How to Set Up Your Brand New Laptop

You unpack your brand new PC or laptop, plug the power in for the first time, set up Windows, and get going, right? Not really. Your machine needs some more tweaking for it to be ready.

Proper set-up of your PC will save you from insecurity issues down the line. Research by Duo Labs uncovered 12 different OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) software vulnerabilities across all major PC manufacturers. The researchers investigated a total of 10 out-of-the-box machines.

The step also allows you to customize the resources to your feel. You don’t want to get irritated or waste time trying to locate items hiding in an unfamiliar environment.

Bought a new Windows 10 machine and want to set it up? Don’t worry; this article will show you how to do it. While you’ll rarely receive a fully optimized new PC, the set-up process is not as complicated as most people think. Whether it’s a Lenovo, HP, Dell, top-of-the-year brand, or budget-friendly products, we have you covered.

Step 1: Connect to the Internet

Before using the internet, you may connect to a wireless network or Ethernet cable:

1. Click on the network icon in your notification area

2. Choose a network in the list that pops up. Then click “Connect.”

3. Enter the password/security key

4. If there are additional instructions, follow them.

You can also use an Ethernet cable to connect the PC within a Local Area Network (LAN). It transfers broadband signals between your home devices, modem, and router.

So, how do you connect your PC to the Ethernet cable?

1. Plug one end of the cable into your machine

2. Plug the other end into an Ethernet port.

3. You are now ready to begin surfing the internet.

Is the 5G network available in your area? Consider using it if you’re looking for the fastest internet speeds.

Step 2: Update Windows

New laptops may come with the first Windows 10 version. The latest Windows operating system has forced Windows Updates; thus, you cannot skip updates.

1. Go to the search box at the bottom left corner and type “Updates.”

2. Click the “Check for updates.”

The operating system will begin to search and download updates. You can move on to the next task while the process goes on in the background

You also need to ensure your drivers are up to date. Windows 10 usually updates drivers and other devices automatically through their Windows Update. But if you’d like to go the manual way, here you go:

1. Type ‘device manager’ in the search box on the taskbar

2. Select ‘Device Manager’

3. Select a category and click the device you want to update

4. Click ‘Search automatically for updated driver software.’

5. Click ‘Update Driver’

6. Didn’t find a new driver? You can head over to the manufacturer’s website for more information

Step 3: Sort out your Anti-Virus

The internet is awash with bad players looking for their next victim. In most cases, they target new devices and vulnerable users. Hitting any wrong link can land you in the hands of these hackers and fraudsters.

Windows 10 usually comes with a default anti-virus called Windows Defender. This feature is good enough for most regular users, provided you make it auto-update.

But you can also set up third-party anti-virus software like Kaspersky, Bitdefender, McAfee, Norton, and Malwarebytes.

The most important thing is to set auto-updates for your anti-virus software. Otherwise, hackers may take advantage of loopholes in the outdated version to cause havoc in your systems.

These malware protection solutions block most virus attacks before they hit your machine. They scan and get rid of threats that make it into your PC. They do all these without affecting your machine’s performance.

While steps may vary depending on the provider, here are common ones:

1. Choose your provider and go to their website. They may ask you to sign up with them or give you access to a free trial

2. Download the software

3. Head over to your downloads folder and locate the .exe file you downloaded

4. Click on that file and hit the install button

Premium accounts allow you to enjoy their maximum protection void of issues like annoying reminders, outdated features, and weak defense. So be sure to sign up for it.

Since this software operates autonomously, you can go about your activities in peace, and rest assured no intruder is monitoring you. Once the anti-virus detects an issue, it’ll alert you and let you carry out the necessary steps to stay safe.

Step 4: Get Rid of Bloatware

Your new laptop will most probably come with third-party, pre-loaded software that sucks up your system’s resources. They range from Candy Crush and other casual games to 30-day anti-virus software trials.

Some of the Windows 10 bloatware may include CCleaner, QuickTime, Shockwave Player, Junk Browser and Toolbars Extensions, Java, and Microsoft Silverlight.

1. On your Start Menu, head over to the Settings

2. Select System

3. Then click Apps and Features

4. Alternatively, type Apps in the search box, then select Apps and Features. Another option is to type Uninstall in the Taskbar’s Search Box and select “Add or Remove programs.”

5. Choose the app you wish to expel.

6. Hit Uninstall and proceed to uninstall the app.

Step 5: Sync or Copy Your Data

Before biding your old computer goodbye, be sure you’ve migrated all or most of your essential data to their new home. You can move your videos, documents, photos, and other crucial files using several possible ways:

· OneDrive Sync: if you stored the files in OneDrive, log in to your Microsoft account on your new PC. The files will download automatically.

· Google Drive or Dropbox: these tools work just like OneDrive. However, you may have to set them first before using, unless the manufacturer did that for you.

· Copy files manually: Head over to your old computer’s files: Videos, Documents, Music, and Photo libraries. Copy them to a hard drive, flash drive, or other external drives. Then copy them to the new computer. Tedious, right? You can use Cloud storage to speed up the process.

Step 6: Email Set-up

You also need an email set up for accessible communication. For instance, you can set up a new Gmail account as follows:

1. Click the ‘Start’ menu and select ‘Mail’ to open ‘Mail app.’

2. Choose add account

3. From the list that appears, you’ll select the email account provider you want(Outlook, Google, Yahoo, iCloud, etc.)

4. Follow the instructions depending on the email provider. You’ll need to enter your login information, such as account name, email address, and password.

5. Then click ‘Sign In.’

6. Click ‘Done.’ Immediately after the account is set up, the syncing of your data will start.

Step 7: Install Your Favorite Browser

With Windows 10, you get to enjoy the pre-loaded Microsoft Edge. This latest web browser is intended to replace the much-ridiculed Internet Explorer.

Microsoft is enticing users to embrace the newest kid on the block. Most users have praised it for being lightweight and fast.

But if you prefer other web browsers and have extensions and accounts with them, you’re free to set them up. The most popular ones include Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari:

1. Download your favorite browser’s installer from its official website and run it on your machine

2. Go to the Settings in the Start Menu

3. Click System, then Default apps

4. Select the icon under the Web Browser

5. Click Choose a Default, then select your browser in the pop-up menu.

If you’re switching between browsers, you would want to migrate your favorite bookmarks for websites, settings, and other features.

Depending on your previous browser, the settings can have:

· Bookmarks

· Browser history

· Default homepage

· Saved passwords

· Default search engines

You can add bookmarks to Chrome from Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and other browsers as follows:

1. Open Chrome on the new PC

2. Click the three dots of ‘More’ at the top right

3. Click ‘Bookmarks,’ then ‘Import Bookmarks and Settings’

4. Choose the program having your favorite bookmarks

5. Select ‘Import’

6. Select ‘Done’

Step 8: Set-Up User Accounts

We all need data security and some level of privacy. If you’re working from home or office, you’ll probably be sharing the machine with others. So don’t forget to set up different user accounts for every user.

1. Head over to the Settings

2. Select Accounts

3. Select Other People

4. Click Family & Other Users

5. Proceed to sign in or add an account.

You can set up a fingerprint, facial recognition, and other sign-in options to protect your account and device.

1. Click the Windows ‘Start’ menu

2. Select ‘Settings’

3. Choose ‘Accounts’

4. Then click ‘Sign-in options’

5. Select the sign-in method you prefer:

· Windows Hello Face,

· Windows Hello PIN

· Windows Hello Fingerprint

· Password,

· Security key, or

· Picture password.

6. After selecting the Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN option, select ‘Set up.’

With Windows Hello, you can log into your devices and accounts using fingerprints, iris, face, or a PIN. Rest assured these details will not leak to third parties. Windows don’t store them on the machine or elsewhere.

Don’t stop there- set up parental controls to safeguard your children’s online and offline activities on your machine. We suggest you read our parental control’s comprehensive guide to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Step 9: Setting Up Your Applications

Microsoft App Store allows you to get games and apps seamlessly. It can also follow you to your new device and automatically update apps.

1. From the Start button, select Microsoft Store on the apps list

2. Select the Apps or Games tab

3. Click Show all to see more of any category

4. Select the game or app you desire and select Get

5. Log in with your Microsoft account to finish the download.

Depending on your needs and demands, be sure to install Google Suite or Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

To install Microsoft Office:

1. Register for Microsoft Office 365 (O365)

2. Log in to the O365 admin area

3. Select ‘Office software.’

4. Select your ‘Language’

5. Select ‘Install’

6. Select ‘Run’ when prompted

Also, you can set-up a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat and other applications related to your profession.

To install Acrobat:

1. Head over to the Adobe Acrobat Reader download page

2. Select ‘Install now.’

3. Select ‘Save’ to download the installer

4. Click the downloaded reader’s .exe file at the bottom once it appears.

5. Click ‘Finish.’

Step 10: Setting Up Printer

The following steps will get your printer up and running with the PC:

1. Connect the printer’s power cable to the socket and turn it on

2. Connect its USB cable to the computer

3. Type ‘Control Panel’ in your PC's search box, then click the ‘Control Panel.’

4. Under ‘Hardware and Sound,’ click ‘View devices and printers.’

5. Click the ‘Add a printer’ and follow the instructions. Voila! You can start printing.

Usually, you can begin printing right away once you connect a printer to your new machine or home network. You don’t have to install special software to support most printers.

Step 11: Setting Up Camera

Your PC usually comes with a webcam. You can open it up by clicking the ‘Start’ menu then select ‘Camera’ in the list.

Some partners or employers may want to file your image before moving forward with you. A camera or Webcam comes in handy in such a situation.

You can use the camera within other apps through these steps:

1. Click Start

2. Click Settings, then Privacy, then Camera

3. Give the app permission to use the camera

Wrapping Up

You may need some time setting up a new laptop and PC. But the task is relatively easy and allows you to customize your machine exactly the way you’ll like it, right off the bat. Doing everything right before using the computer will also keep hackers, fraudsters, and other issues at bay.

For further help setting more things right, our Techiefriends support is ready to help.