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Setting Up a New Windows PC

Just unboxed a new computer? Don't skip these first steps. This guide walks you through everything you should do before using your PC — updates, accounts, and essential settings.

⏱ 10 min read 🟢 Beginner 🖥️ Windows 10 & 11

What you'll accomplish

  • Install all available Windows updates
  • Set up or sign into a Microsoft account
  • Configure privacy and security settings
  • Remove bloatware and pre-installed junk
  • Set up automatic backups
1

Connect to Wi-Fi first

Before anything else, connect your PC to your home Wi-Fi. Most of the setup steps below require an internet connection.

  • Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen (system tray)
  • Select your home network from the list
  • Enter your Wi-Fi password and click Connect
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Screenshot: Wi-Fi icon in system tray and network list

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Tip: If you have the option, use a wired ethernet connection for setup — it's faster and more reliable for downloading updates.

2

Run Windows Update immediately

New PCs often ship with an outdated version of Windows. Updates fix security holes and bugs — this should always be your first step.

  • Click the Start button (Windows logo, bottom left)
  • Click Settings (gear icon)
  • Click Windows Update
  • Click Check for updates
  • Let it download and install everything — this may take 20–30 minutes
  • Restart your PC when prompted, then check for updates again until it says "You're up to date"
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Screenshot: Windows Update screen showing "Check for updates" button

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Important: You may need to restart and run updates 2–3 times before everything is fully installed. Keep going until no more updates appear.

3

Set up your Microsoft account

A Microsoft account lets you sync settings across devices, recover your PC if something goes wrong, and access OneDrive cloud storage.

  • Go to Settings → Accounts
  • If you see "Sign in with a Microsoft account", click it and sign in or create a free account at account.microsoft.com
  • Follow the prompts to link your account
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Screenshot: Accounts settings page showing Microsoft account sign-in option

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Tip: You can use a local account instead if you prefer not to sign in to Microsoft. Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options to manage this.

4

Review your privacy settings

Windows collects quite a bit of data by default. Take a few minutes to turn off what you don't need.

  • Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
  • Under General — turn off advertising ID and suggested content
  • Under Diagnostics & Feedback — set to Basic (not Full)
  • Under Activity History — turn off if you don't want Microsoft tracking your activity
  • Review Location, Camera, and Microphone — turn off access for any apps that don't need it
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Screenshot: Privacy & Security settings panel

5

Remove bloatware

Most new PCs come loaded with trial software, games, and apps you'll never use. Removing them frees up space and speeds things up.

  • Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps
  • Scroll through the list and uninstall anything you don't recognise or need
  • Common ones to remove: trial antivirus software, candy crush, Disney+, random toolbars
  • Click the three dots next to an app → Uninstall
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Screenshot: Installed Apps list with uninstall option highlighted

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Caution: Don't uninstall anything labelled Microsoft or Windows unless you know what it is — stick to removing third-party apps.

6

Set up automatic backups

The worst time to think about backups is after something goes wrong. Set this up now and you'll never lose your files.

  • Go to Settings → System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Backup options
  • Turn on Automatically back up my files
  • Connect an external hard drive if you have one for local backup
  • Alternatively, set up OneDrive for automatic cloud backup of your Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders
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Screenshot: Backup settings with OneDrive and File History options

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Tip: OneDrive gives you 5GB free with a Microsoft account — more than enough for documents and photos. For larger backups consider an external drive.

7

Install your essential software

Now that your PC is secure and up to date, install the apps you actually need.

  • Browser: Chrome (google.com/chrome) or Firefox (mozilla.org)
  • Office: Microsoft 365 or the free LibreOffice (libreoffice.org)
  • PDF reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or use Edge which opens PDFs built-in
  • Media player: VLC (videolan.org) — plays almost any video file
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Tip: Always download software from the official website — never from random download sites that show up in Google ads.

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