Got a New Computer? 6 Things to Do Before You Really Use It

A brand-new computer feels like it should be ready the moment you open the box. In reality, most new machines arrive loaded with trial software, default settings that are not in your favour, and no backup of the files you are about to start creating. A little setup now saves a lot of headaches later. Here is what I do on every new computer.

1. Remove the bloatware

Most new PCs ship with trial antivirus, manufacturer "helper" apps, and games you never asked for. They slow the machine down and nag you to pay. Clearing them out is one of the biggest early speed wins.

2. Run all the updates

A computer that has been sitting in a warehouse or on a shelf is often months behind on security and driver updates. Getting fully up to date on day one closes known security holes and fixes early glitches.

3. Set up a backup

The best time to start backing up is before you have anything to lose. An external drive or a cloud backup set up now means you are protected from the very first photo and document.

4. Sort out your security

You do not need to pay for antivirus — the protection built into Windows is genuinely good — but it should be turned on and configured properly. A password manager and two-factor authentication on your email are worth setting up while you are at it.

5. Move your files over properly

Photos, documents, browser bookmarks, email and saved passwords from your old computer can all come across cleanly if it is done right. This is the step people most often want a hand with — and the easiest to get wrong on your own.

6. Make it feel like yours

Reinstall the programs you actually use, sign into your accounts, and set the defaults the way you like them. A computer set up around how you work is one you will be happy with for years.

If a new computer landed in your lap and you would rather it arrive ready to go, I offer new-computer setup and data transfer across Lake Country, Kelowna and Vernon. Drop it by or call (604) 817-1069 and I will have it set up the way it should have come.

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