Just Got a New PC? Do These 11 Things on Day One
Unboxing a new computer is always fun, but what you do during those first hours has a way of influencing your experience for years to come,” says computer expert Susan Brady. “Before plunging into gaming, work, and video streaming,” she recommends, “take the time to do things just right. Doing that will help optimize your computer’s performance, enhance security, and allow you to personalize your computer and make it yours and yours alone.”
Begin with Updates & Essential System Settings
The very first thing that must be done is to establish an internet connection and apply all system updates. These system updates contain operating system patches that eliminate bugs and solve security vulnerabilities that would otherwise make your brand-new computer vulnerable. Restarting the process multiple times may be necessary for all system updates to be completed. After that, it would be best to check basic system settings for things like display resolution and sleep timers. Doing these first helps pave the way for everything that follows.
“Securing Your PC Before Installing Any Applications”
It’s important that security takes a prominent consideration on Day 1. First, establish a secure log-in password/PIN, then look for biometric security options like fingerprint scan or face scan. Ensure that the protected operating system’s built-in protection software has protection enabled. It’s also important to desist from installing random software on these operating systems, especially browser extensions, until such a time when your security measures are set.
Eliminate Bloatware and Optimize Startup Programs
It’s likely that most new PCs will have apps that you will not even need. Remove all unnecessary apps, which will help increase storage space on your PC, increase boot speed, and make it even faster. Another area that you can easily improve is from configuring your desktop, taskbar, and system theme. Personalizing this area will help make your PC very comfortable.
Install Core Apps and Default Preferences
Once your system is clean and secure, you can start to add applications to your operating system that you actually use or want to use. This would include an Internet browser of choice, applications for getting work done, media programs for playing media files, and cloud drives for cloud storage solutions. These preferences allow you to set applications for browsing the Internet, sending emails, viewing photos, and opening documents so that they open in their respective programs by default.
“Backups, Recovery Options, And Performance Tweaks Matter”
Before actual use, you need to establish backups and a means of recovery. You should set up automatic backups in the cloud or use an external hard drive for regular file backups. Then, you need to create a recovery drive or system restore point, which will enable you to promptly correct errors in case of mishaps in the future. Lastly, you need to make sure storage integrity is okay, set efficient power management, and adjust the display, especially when precision is desired. By following these steps on day one, a brand-new computer can be optimized to be safe, efficient, and personalized. It only takes a few hours to configure the computer to be safe, efficient, and personalized, allowing you to enjoy using your computer with confidence.
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News Source: PCmag.com
