There's nothing quite like a brand new computer — fast, clean, and full of potential. But how you set it up in the first few hours has a big impact on how it performs and how secure it stays over the next several years.
Here's what to do before you do anything else.
Step 1: Run All Updates First
Before you install anything or set up your accounts, update everything. This is important — new computers sometimes sit in a warehouse for months before you buy them, and security patches pile up in the meantime.
Windows: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Repeat until there are none left.
Mac: System Settings → General → Software Update.
Restart when prompted and repeat until everything is current.
Step 2: Create a Strong Account Password
If you didn't set one during setup, do it now. Your login password is your first line of defense — especially important on a laptop that might leave the house.
Windows: Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options
Mac: System Settings → Touch ID & Password (or Users & Groups)
Use a passphrase — something like ocean-lamp-carries-nine — rather than a short password.
Step 3: Set Up Automatic Backups
Don't wait until you have files you care about. Set up backup now, before you need it.
- Mac: Plug in an external drive and enable Time Machine (System Settings → General → Time Machine)
- Windows: Use File History (Settings → Update & Security → Backup) or a cloud service like Backblaze
Spend 10 minutes on this now. It will save you days of heartache later.
Step 4: Install a Browser You Like
Both Windows and Mac come with a default browser (Edge and Safari respectively). Both are fine, but Chrome and Firefox offer more extensions and are cross-platform if you use multiple devices.
Whichever browser you use, sign into it so your bookmarks and settings sync across devices.
Step 5: Uninstall the Bloatware
New computers — especially Windows PCs — often come loaded with trial software, games, and promotional apps you'll never use. These slow down startup and clutter your machine.
Go to Settings → Apps, sort by publisher, and uninstall anything you don't recognize or need. Common culprits: McAfee or Norton trials (uninstall if you're using Windows Defender), games from the manufacturer, and random utility apps.
Step 6: Set Up Your Email and Accounts
Now you're ready to start setting up your life. Add your email account, set up your cloud storage, and install the apps you actually use.
A few recommendations:
- Use your browser's password manager or a dedicated one like Bitwarden to save passwords securely
- Enable two-factor authentication on your email account immediately
- Don't install software you don't need — keep it lean
Step 7: Transfer Your Files From Your Old Computer
If you're migrating from an old computer, the cleanest way is to copy your important folders (Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures) to an external drive and paste them onto the new machine.
Mac to Mac: Use Migration Assistant (built into macOS) — it transfers everything automatically over WiFi.
Windows to Windows: Windows has a built-in backup and restore, but it can be finicky. We often recommend doing it manually for a fresh start.
Need help migrating your data or getting everything set up just right? A single session is usually all it takes.