How to set up & configure a new Windows 10 computer

How to set up & configure a new Windows 10 computer

Setting up a new Windows 10 PC is easy, but you'll have to make an effort and save time. There is always something important missing from us. Some of you may have recently migrated to Windows 10, and for you it will be a great leap. In this article, we share a set of settings that you need to configure when setting up a new Windows 10 PC.

How to set up a new Windows 10 PC

These are some of the tips that I follow and recommend that everyone set up their Windows 10 PC for the first time. But of course it all depends on your needs and your needs.

  1. Configure an Internet connection
  2. Uninstall programs you don't want
  3. Install the programs you need.
  4. Run Windows Update and update the installed software
  5. Windows security, controlled access to files and protection against ransomware
  6. Make sure system restore works
  7. Configure automatic backup / restore
  8. Create bootable USB media
  9. Configure Windows Update
  10. Configure privacy settings
  11. Configure OneDrive and Private Vault
  12. Activate Storage Sense to better manage space
  13. Force Windows to close down apps
  14. Connect your phone to your PC
  15. Use Ultimate Windows Tweaker.

Not included in the list, but they will cost you less than $ 50, and there are many available for free.

How to set up a new Windows 10 computer

1) Configure an Internet connection

First of all, it's best to set up an internet connection. Windows setup usually requires connecting to the Internet during setup. If you are using an Ethernet cable, you don't need to go through any additional configuration. However, if you connect to a WiFi network, follow these steps

  • Click the "Globe" icon in the system tray.
  • The PC will search for the available WiFi network. if it finds yours, click on it.
  • Enter the password, make sure to check "Automatic connection", then click on the connection button.

If you have a WiFi connection problem, follow our guide to resolve WiFi problems.

2) Uninstall programs you don't want

Windows 10 comes with a set of programs and apps pre-installed. Not all will be useful, so you can choose to uninstall these programs.

  • Go to Settings> Applications and features
  • Select the app and then uninstall it.

We wrote a detailed tutorial on how to completely uninstall UWP apps on Windows 10.

3) Install the programs you need

The next step is to install the apps you are using. Most applications are available online, so you just need to download and install them. If there are activation keys, find them in your email. If you have drivers on a USB stick or CD, be sure to install it.

4) Run Windows Update and update the installed software

Once the initial configuration is ready, we strongly recommend that you run Windows Update. Your update may be out of date or there is a new version of Windows. Once done, also make sure to update all software individually.

5) Windows security, controlled access to files and protection against ransomware

Microsoft Security Essentials has become what we know today as Windows Security. It is a powerful antivirus and security solution available for free to all Windows 10 users. If you are using it, be sure to configure access to controlled folders to prevent applications and software to access folders without permission. It makes sure to protect your computer from ransomware.

6) Make sure the system restore works

The system restore function is enabled by default. However, it is always a good idea to make sure that System Restore is enabled. This is the most important thing and the easiest way to restore the computer to working order if it becomes unusable.

7) Configure the automatic backup / restore function

Windows offers an internal solution for backup and restore files and the system partition in Windows 10. You can schedule, choose which drives to back up, files, etc. Make sure to always back up files to an external drive. I always suggest using professional backup software outside of what Windows has to offer.

8) Create bootable USB media

A bootable USB media will always be handy in case your PC has problems starting up. It will allow you to boot into advanced recovery mode and troubleshoot Windows 10. Using this you can boot into safe mode, uninstall software that does not uninstall in normal mode and also use Restore Point to recover the system.

9) Configure Windows Update

Windows 10 receives two major updates each year, and if you think it might break your Windows, you choose to suspend Windows updates if you wish.

10) Configure privacy settings

Windows 10 offers a plethora of privacy settings. Read our full guide to setting up privacy in Windows 10, or you can use free privacy tools like Win Privacy, Blackbird Privacy tweaker, etc.

Lily: How to configure a Windows 10 PC for seniors.

11) Configure OneDrive and Private Vault

When you set up Windows 10, it prompts you to create or use an existing Microsoft account. When you do, it brings native OneDrive integration. I strongly suggest backing up the files you keep on the desktop and activating Private Vault. OneDrive Personal Vault is a "secure" folder inside your existing OneDrive storage where you can download or move files and lock them with 2-factor authentication.

12) Activate Storage Sense to better manage the space

Windows 10 offers a built-in cleaner that can get rid of junk files, files from the Downloads folder, empty trash, old Windows installation files, etc. Its called Storage Sense. Once turned on, it will run automatically every 30 days.

13) Force Windows to close apps when stopped

I am sure you have already experienced this. Windows is usually blocked because it is unable to close running applications. In Windows 10, you can use this trick to force Windows to close apps when stopped.

14) Connect your phone to your PC

YourPhone App is an incredibly useful application for viewing notifications from your phone on Windows 10. You can receive text messages, reply to them, accept calls via Bluetooth, interact with notifications on the phone, etc.

15) use Ultimate Windows Tweaker

You can download and use our Ultimate Windows Tweaker portable freeware to modify Windows 10 to suit your needs. You can also download the free FixWin tool and keep it handy – in case you need to repair certain functions of your PC.

I hope the suggestions were easy to follow and that you were able to configure the settings in Windows 10 when you started.

Related Reading: How to use Windows 10 PC – Beginner's Guide.

Leave a Reply