If you have just bought a new Windows 11 PC, the default configuration steps when you first launch Windows 11 aren’t enough to ensure a smooth and secure experience. Here are 9 essential steps we recommend to optimally set up your new Windows 11 PC.
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- 1. Set Up Login Method
- 2. Download and Install all Updates
- 3. Customize the Taskbar
- 4. Check System Security
- 5. Get Rid of Bloatware
- 6. Configure Storage Sense
- 7. Set Up a Backup/Restore Method
- 8. Choose and Configure the Right Power Plan
- 9. Get the Essential Third-Party Apps
1. Set Up Login Method
First, it’s important to secure your PC in a way that balances security with convenience. Logging in with your Microsoft password can be cumbersome, as the password is often complex. Here’s what you need to do:
In Windows Settings, go to Accounts -> Sign-in options.
You’ll find various login methods here, including Facial recognition, Fingerprint recognition, PIN, Physical security key, and Picture password.
We recommend setting up at least a PIN for convenient access. You can make it more secure by including letters and characters. Other options are also very useful depending on your preferences and security needs.
Tip: For added convenience, if your PC isn’t at high risk of being compromised, consider enabling automatic login.
2. Download and Install all Updates
When booting into Windows 11 for the first time, you will likely have a bunch of updates and drivers pending installation. Install all updates immediately to ensure your device operates smoothly and to prevent background download and installation processes from disrupting your workflow.
In Windows Settings, go to Windows Update. If you don’t see a list of updates, click on Check for updates. Then, click on Download and Install to install all pending updates. You will likely need to restart your PC afterward.
Furthermore, we will also recommend you use a driver updater tool to install important device drivers. Although Windows updates do contain driver updates, many times, it fails to find the latest one.
3. Customize the Taskbar
The taskbar is one of the highlight features of Windows 11 with lots of changes. However, many of the changes aren’t required and only clutter up the taskbar. You should adjust the taskbar settings to your liking.
Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Here you can disable taskbar items like Copilot, Search bar, Task view, and Widgets. The search bar isn’t necessary as you can press the Windows key to access it. Similarly, Task view is also easily accessible with the Windows + Alt shortcut. Whether to keep or remove Copilot and Widgets depends on your personal preference and usage.
You can also customize the system tray icons and adjust the taskbar alignment. Here’s a comprehensive list of all the ways you can customize the Windows 11 taskbar.
Additionally, you should also remove all the extra icons/apps from the start menu if you don’t need them as most of them are just sponsored apps, like LinkedIn or Spotify.
4. Check System Security
For most users, the built-in Windows defender is more than enough, you won’t need a third-party antivirus software. However, you should make sure all the security features are working properly. Here’s how:
Search for “windows security” in Windows Search and open the Windows Security app.
Here in the Home section, you’ll see all the security options, including real-time malware protection, firewall, account protection, browser protection, and built-in device security features. Make sure all of these have a green checkmark indicating all security features are working. If there is a yellow or red mark, it means you need to open the security section and enable a feature.
Furthermore, some advanced security features aren’t enabled by default, you should enable them if security is a concern.
5. Get Rid of Bloatware
Bloatware consists of pre-installed apps from Microsoft and PC manufacturers that are not essential for your PC’s functions. These promotional apps take up space and can run background processes that affect performance. You should uninstall bloatware apps you don’t plan to use.
Although the regular uninstallation method works fine, we recommend using a third-party debloater app like O&O AppBuster. This app can show all bloatware apps/extensions – even hidden ones – and tell you which ones you should delete.
Launch O&O AppBuster. If it says remove next to an app, it means it’s a known bloatware app that you can safely delete. You can select multiple apps and then uninstall them in bulk.
6. Configure Storage Sense
Storage Sense is a Windows feature to delete junk files to free up space and keep the PC clean for stable performance. However, its default settings are very passive which you may not like. You should adjust them as per your needs.
In Windows Settings, go to System -> Storage and click on Storage Sense.
Here, you can configure the clean-up schedule, when to delete Recycle Bin data, and when to delete Downloads folder data. By default, the clean-up schedule is set to During low free disk space. If your PC has sufficient space (as most users do), no automatic cleaning will occur. For more effective maintenance, consider setting the schedule to “Every month.”
Configure the Recycle bin and the Downloads folder cleaning schedule according to your needs.
7. Set Up a Backup/Restore Method
Before storing any important data on your PC, ensure you have a robust backup and restore strategy to prevent data loss from any incident. You don’t need third-party solutions for this, as Windows offers reliable built-in data backup methods.
Search for “windows backup” in Windows Search and open the Windows Backup app.
The app will let you back up your app preferences, settings, and credentials to your Microsoft account. For your personal data in the folders, you can back it up in OneDrive. It has free 5GB storage, but you have to upgrade your plan to get more storage.
You can also backup personal data to an external drive if you don’t want to store data in the cloud.
8. Choose and Configure the Right Power Plan
To optimize your PC’s performance, manually select the appropriate power plan based on your specific needs. For low heat generation and longer battery life, choose the Best power efficiency mode. For gaming or heavy tasks, opt for the Best performance mode.
To adjust the Power mode, go to System -> Power & battery in Windows Settings.
For more detailed control, search for “power plan” in Windows Search and click on Edit power plan. Then, click on Change advanced power settings to access all settings that affect your PC’s power usage. Each setting offers options for both battery-saving and performance, allowing you to tailor the configuration to your needs.
9. Get the Essential Third-Party Apps
Once you have debloated your PC, you can proceed to install third-party Windows apps to improve Windows functionality and boost your productivity. Here are some of our top recommendations:
- VLC Media Player: A powerful media player app with extensive format support and streaming features.
- 7-Zip: Allows you to manage compressed files, known for its high compression ratios.
- TCP Optimizer: Optimizes network settings for better ping and a more stable network.
- Greenshot: A reliable screenshot tool with auto-saving and cloud sync features.
- Avast: Provides robust malware protection, offering features that go beyond Windows Defender.
- 1Password: Helps manage all your passwords in one place, making it easy to log in to your online accounts securely.
- Free Download Manager: Allows you to manage your downloads with faster download speed using parallel downloading with easy stop/resume options.
- CCleaner: Deletes junk data and optimizes your PC for better performance.
By following all these steps, you’ll enjoy a smoother and more efficient experience with fewer interruptions. Additionally, if you have bought your new Windows 11 PC for gaming, we recommend trying these gaming programs.
Image credit: All screenshots by Karrar Haider.
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Karrar Haider –
Contributor
Karrar is drenched in technology and always fiddles with new tech opportunities. He has a bad habit of calling technology “Killer”, and doesn’t feel bad about spending too much time in front of the PC. If he is not writing about technology, you will find him spending quality time with his little family.
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