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Unboxing a new Windows 10 laptop is exciting, but before you start using it, there are a few things you need to do. You can ask a technician for help in setting up your new device, but here are a few things you can do on your own.<\/p>\nUnboxing a new Windows 10 laptop is exciting, but before you start using it, there are a few things you need to do. You can ask a technician for help in setting up your new device, but here are a few things you can do on your own.<\/p>\n
Your new laptop should check for updates automatically, but you can also do this manually. Just click the gear icon above the Start button to go to Settings<\/i>, choose Update & Security<\/i> > Windows Update<\/i>, and then click Check for updates. You can also type \u201cupdates\u201d into the search box and click Check for updates<\/i>.<\/p>\n2. Choose a restore point<\/h3>\n
If something goes wrong with your laptop, you can save a lot of time if you have a restore point, which is a backup of your entire operating system. To set up a restore point, type “restore” into the search bar and click Create a restore point<\/i>. You\u2019ll be taken to the System Protection tab of the System Properties window<\/i>.<\/p>\n
From there, you can choose what you want to be included in the backup. Click the Configure<\/i> button to apply your choices. Enable \u201cTurn on system protection\u201d if it\u2019s not already on. You can choose how much disk space to reserve, usually no more than 2% or 3%.<\/p>\n3. Pick a power plan<\/h3>\n
If you want to prolong your laptop\u2019s battery life, you can choose from Windows 10\u2019s Power Saver, High Performance, and Balanced power plans. Type power plan in the search button and choose either \u201cEdit power plan\u201d or \u201cChoose a power plan.\u201d Choosing the Edit power plan option allows you to set when the laptop display will be automatically turned off and when to put it to sleep. When you pick \u201cChoose a power plan,\u201d it will take you to a page where you can create and customize your plan.<\/p>\n
The default recommended plan is Balanced, but if you want to create your own, click on the “Create a power plan” option on the left part of the screen. You can choose from three options depending on how you plan to use your laptop: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. After selecting your preferred plan, click on the Next<\/i> button to set the display and sleep settings for your laptop. Once done, click on the Create<\/i> button and you’re good to go.<\/p>\n4. App installation tolerance level<\/h3>\n
To restrict which apps can be installed on your laptop, go to Settings<\/i> > Apps <\/i> > Apps & features<\/i> and choose whether to permit installations from only the Windows Store, any app installations (with a warning), or unrestricted app installations.<\/p>\n5. Remove bloatware<\/h3>\n
Vendors package new laptops with bundled apps and software, which are mostly unnecessary and unwanted programs called bloatware.<\/p>\n
Windows 10 offers an easy way to see which apps are installed on your new laptop and a quick way to uninstall those you don\u2019t need. Head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features<\/i> and peruse the list. If you don\u2019t want an app and are 100% certain that your computer doesn\u2019t need it, click the Uninstall button.<\/p>\n6. Anti-ransomware<\/h3>\n
Ransomware is a form of malicious software (malware) that locks all your data until you pay a ransom to hackers.<\/p>\n
To minimize the risk of ransomware attacks, type \u201cWindows Security\u201d into the search bar at the bottom of your screen, click it, and go to \u201cVirus & threat protection\u201d. Here, you\u2019ll be able to enable a new option called \u201cControlled folder access,\u201d which protects you against ransomware attacks. By default, the Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders are protected, but you can add other folders too.<\/p>\n
There are myriad ways Windows 10 can be configured for optimization and security. This article barely scratches the surface of Window 10\u2019s security and efficiency settings. Call us today for a quick chat with one of our Microsoft experts about taking your operating system to the next level.<\/p>\n