Were you lucky enough to pick up a brand new pc recently? If so, congratulations! No matter if it is a snazzy new Microsoft Surface Book, another Windows 10 portable computer, or a traditional personal computer…dodon’t worry about your pc skills or wherever specific keyboard keys are.
Instead, here are the first 5 things you need to do once setting up your computer:
Update Your Antimalware Program
The last thing you would like to do is get your brand new pc infected with malware. who wants that?
I thought about calling this “install an antimalware program” however most computers come with one preinstalled. Windows ten comes with Microsoft’s own tool built-in, therefore most PCs are ready to go.
Here’s the thing, though: it won’t be updated. probably not, anyway. So, when setting it up, head to the scanner’s settings and update the “definitions”—the instructions that teach the program the way to identify and remove new viruses, Trojans, worms, etc.
Tip: As I discussed above, new Windows computers generally have basic antivirus protection, however, it’s not the best. There are many antivirus programs for Windows that you simply will get for free; the same goes for macintosh antivirus software.
Install available Windows Updates
Yes, I know, you’d think your current pc would be totally updated however chances are it will not be. Microsoft releases security and non-security updates to Windows on at least a monthly basis, oftentimes more frequently than that!
See how to Install Windows Updates if you’ve got never done this and want help.
Tip: The Windows Update tool is preconfigured to download and install updates automatically. whereas this can be typically a decent thing, it will be a bit overwhelming of a thing to happen in the background during the first few hours of using your new pc. luckily, it is easy to change Windows Update settings—these are a few things I typically recommend individuals do.
Windows Update might install driver updates for you, too, that are required so as for your hardware to work properly. However, Microsoft only provides basic drivers for some hardware, and can not install a driver for a few gaming mice, USB microphones, and other devices you might connect to your new pc, sort of a webcam, drawing tablet, etc.
Fortunately, there are many options once it comes to using a free driver updater tool, which could be a program that can check for missing or outdated drivers and, oftentimes, transfer and install them for you, sometimes even automatically.
Keep one of those programs on your pc to make sure you always have fast access to driver updates. they are especially helpful if your network adapter doesn’t work and you need a network driver, however, haven’t got an online connection. This might be a scenario if you’ve got installed Windows manually.
Install a File Recovery Program
This one might surprise you. Why install a program to help recover accidentally deleted files if you haven’t even used your pc however, let alone lost something?
Here’s why: the massive catch-22 about file recovery programs is that you are better off installing one before you truly need it. Waiting until the file has been deleted to install the program, may overwrite that same space on the disc drive wherever your deleted file is sitting, preventing you from undeleting it. that’s not a risk you would like to take.
Sign Up for an Online Backup Service
Yep, another proactive step here, one you will be thanking me for someday.
Online backup services are tools that allow you to store your data on remote servers.
In my opinion, a web backup service is the best and most cost-effective future solution to keeping your data safe.
The better-rated ones in my list are cheap, let you copy as much as you want, and are very easy to download and install. However, if buying a brand new pc is the last big purchase you would like to make for a while, consider using a free backup service or, at the very least, a local backup tool.
Uninstall Programs you do not want
You may already have noticed that your pc came with a lot of…well, let’s just say “extra” software.
In theory, leaving these programs put in won’t hurt much if anything, aside from taking over a bit of hard drive space. In reality, many of these preinstalled programs run in the background, hogging up memory and processor power that you’d rather use for other things.
My advice? Head into the control panel and get those programs removed.