New Windows 11 Laptop? Do This First: Optimize, Customize, and Secure It! | 2023 Edition

whokeys.com 25% code：TS25
Windows 10 Pro a $16: biitt.ly/cjFl5
Windows 10 Home a $14: biitt.ly/6Fgdj
Windows 11 Pro a $22: biitt.ly/uJyPV
Office 2021 Pro a $51: biitt.ly/ATC8p
Office 2019 Pro a $45: biitt.ly/gUqKp
Office 2016 Pro a $27: biitt.ly/Cv10p
Store: epicpants.com
Music: zweihander.com
Website: teksyndicate.com
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TOC:
1:38 Initial Setup (you can skip this)
3:38 Check your specs to make sure you got what you ordered
4:28 Remove Bloatware
10:48 Install These Programs (if you want)
12:28 Secure Windows 11
Extra Credit!
Pick an Office Suite: 15:38
Three Key Firefox Extensions 16:21
Customize the look (huge improvement): 17:21
Windows 11 Links:
YOU NEED a vpn on your laptop: www.privateinternetaccess.com...
My wallpaper: / 1586540305792176128
Geek Uninstaller: geekuninstaller.com/download
OR Bulk Crap Uninstaller: www.bcuninstaller.com/
Ninite to get programs: ninite.com/
Explorer Patcher: github.com/valinet/ExplorerPa...
Microsoft Power Toys: github.com/microsoft/PowerToys
Firefox extensions
AdGuard: addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fire...
Privacy Badger: addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fire...
HTTPS Everywhere: addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fire...
Discord: / discord
Twitch: / midnightdojo
Twitter: / teksyndicate
For marketing (sponsorship opportunities) inquiries email [e-mail]
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases... even though Amazon is ugly.

[@teksyndicate]

TOC: 1:38 Initial Setup (you can skip this) 3:38 Check your specs to make sure you got what you ordered 4:28 Remove Bloatware 10:48 Install These Programs (if you want) 12:28 Secure Windows 11 Extra Credit! 15:38 Pick an Office Suite 16:21 Three Key Firefox Extensions 17:21 Customize the look (huge improvement)

[@felurianmasters4369]

Bro, I despise windows. Mint is great and all, but needing windows is terribly a thing. Is mac even in a good spot, compared to the invasion win10 is of that which used to be privacy, or the content ownership usurpation that is win11 we now know and love. Topical video would be sweet, a reply also would be appreciated. I know there's no easy answer.

[@felurianmasters4369]

Ts25 for vpn?

[@abbiotic777]

26:00 install power toys

[@keylanoslokj1806]

Can you do the 2024 version of this please?

[@goldenchild5296]

Does all this information still apply or has any of it changed if so personally I would LOVE an updated version of this

[@Itallcostsmoney]

Recommendation for getting rid of extras: Right click on the taskbar and turn off: News & Interests, Show Cortana, Show TaskView Button, Show People, Show Windows Ink Space, Search : Hidden -> Uncheck Show Search Highlights You can still press the windows key and search without having to have the search bar on the screen.

[@furnitureandbedding776]

I don't see any options to get rid of News and Interests. I wonder if they disabled the option to disable lol

[@tak60viz]

I tried to turn those off as well. No luck.@@furnitureandbedding776

[@edison3571]

The sad fact of Windows operating system is that you have to De-bloat and turn off adware, spyware, and malware before you even use your computer should be quite concerning.

[@bellissimo4520]

Especially the fact that a paid-for, non-free OS wants to force ads on their users... this is just beyond ridiculous. Microsoft is pushing people away as hard as they can.

[@FeArhsma21]

Man I am always so impressed with you how to set up your laptop after you get it. Please don't stop doing these videos. I learn so much from them. That keyboard at the end is pretty slick, but i just baught a very pricey keyboard from Glorious Gmmk full size custom with khail box browns switches and I just love. I will remember that keyboard might be really nice one to take with you places on trip for like laptop use. Have a good one my friend and God Bless.

[@GregReavis]

Gonna be saving this for my windows 11 setup video. Remembering all this is impossible but that’s what windows has turned into.

[@elizabethandiosa4579]

Ty. I am glad this popped up to view. Such great timing .

[@-Vikson]

I had one of these saved from 6 years back, glad you've done an update.

[@WindsSunrise1]

I really appreciate these windows optimization videos

[@seapanda-117]

This was great. Subscribed. Thanks for showing us these tools!

[@GubernareMens]

It's always great to see this kind of video - very useful! It was actually the Win10 version which had me subscribe years ago.

[@NeptuneSega]

Thanks for everything you do Logan.

[@Cora996b]

OMG Thank you!!! That center task bar alignment has been driving me batty for months.

[@Otis151]

Weird. I just reinstalled my OS yesterday. Timing of this video couldn’t be more perfect. Thanks!

[@brostradamus11]

Cool video, fun and informative with a solid delivery

[@michelleleadley8938]

Great content with lots of information explained well. Thank you.

[@chrisrice5740]

Awesome video. Thank you! Very indepth and all in one place! I've been dreading setting up my new laptop arriving tomorrow. Having all this useful info in one place will make life a lot easier.

[@mrradio4944]

Thank you so much for making this video!! It has helped me tremendously

[@dozza89]

Great video, many thanks. I'm really digging your music too, great stuff.

[@talldarkstrangerpr]

Thanks. Got that W11 Pro key via your link. Worked like charm.

[@mitchy7051]

Bonus tip. For the newer Lenovo I had to be online to install windows. I haven't figured out a workaround for that yet :( 😞 However, we did figure out to create an offline user during setup. You just pick Domain user, and since you aren't joined to domain, you trick windows into creating a local user. Ty for video, btw

[@jimakos75]

Amazing video and ideas thank you my friend! Love from Greece!

[@CouldBeElliot]

That UAC tip is really good, thanks

[@savingmoneyunapologetically]

HEY, I just found your channel and subbed! I love it already. Thanks for sharing

[@felurianmasters4369]

Logans the man

[@yogaguy111]

yeah, i concur. i really appreciate you for putting this together in the spirit of helping others. im set

[@skohaya]

Awesome video! So helpful. Thanks

[@papaandrey8597]

Thank's for some really nice tips and hints! They are great time savers!

[@TheFruitingChamber]

Hey good ol tek syndicate been a minute! Good video brother thanks!

[@paulcastle7420]

Thanks - That was informative, and you are a great orator!

[@agtaylor78]

Great video, thanks for making this. New to Windows 11 myself and this was very helpful. I do got to admit, I like some of the changes since I have the Surface Pro 9, and a lot of the changes are great for when I am using it as a tablet. But your vide was such a great help to get my machine dialed in for my perfect experience. Looks and works like a desktop/laptop when I have the keyboard attached, and great tablet experience when I use it in that mode. Perfect tips and tricks here. Followed you, excellent content!

[@nickbjones8833]

thanks heaps it helped lots

[@kokosensei5231]

Thank you for sharing!

[@abbiotic777]

i looove the 8-bit music thing in the background. chef's kiss

[@xV3LOCITYx]

This is an awesome video Lots of informative information.

[@teksyndicate]

The best kind of information!

[@IND4GR0V3]

cranking these videos out since windows 8 keep it up

[@dandrevs]

Love these kind of videos alongside NAS videos.

[@kaboulscabal4816]

Thanks for the video ... getting a new Windows 11 laptop in next week ... can't wait to de-bloatify it using your tips!

[@martyp2138]

Getting ready to swap out the 2TB nVME in my Thinkpad P1 for a 4TB (huge dropbox for work) and wanted to play around with my current setup to try things out. This video was super helpful. Tried a windows debloat app (BloatyNosyapp), the checkmark on icons has annoyed me for months and never knew compact mode existed either. Explorer Patcher is the icing on the cake. Super mall task bar, legacy style taskbar without icons and Win 10 right-click (without reg edit), Win 10 start menu - now it feels like I'm running Windows 11 Pro for Workstations. Thanks!

[@rakkazoid]

honestly a really good and informative video, not treating the watcher like a total moron. cheers i got some nice tips.

[@RobertKeenanComp-U-Right]

Thanks for tutorial. I would also add uncheck hide folder/file extensions.

[@HypnoticSuggestion]

Great video and ofc always enjoying your music. For viewers; I recommend GpuZ, a tiny app that will let you have a quick view of Gpu temp and usage statistics, as well as Cpu temp. HWiNFO64, MSI Afterburner, Notepad++, CpuZ, IrfanView and Winamp (newly updated!) are a few others.

[@error4159]

I download all the apps you listed on a new install except for Winamp. I switched to Foobar when Winamp was discontinued years ago and I can't go back, lol.

[@Wildmutationblu]

Dude! I didn't even know you were in a rock band until watcing this video. I retired from playing lead guitar many years ago due to illness. I hope you and your bandmates are well.

[@cryptojoe981]

Much appreciated!

[@emmaben9104]

Waow Can’t wait to try all this Beautiful video

[@christylumpa4357]

Brilliant stuff!!!!!

[@carlosclaptrix]

That's very good! Thank you!

[@cesar-et2ip]

Amazing video, keep it up

[@fdrehug7318]

Love your music

[@user-hv9sg5pl8b]

When I got my new Windows 11 laptop about 18 months ago, the first thing I did was remove the SSD with Windows on it, and installed a much larger one. I then installed Manjaro Linux. The original SSD is sitting in my desk drawer in case I ever think I want Windows again, but I doubt that I will. Perfectly happy with Manjaro (or any other Linux distribution - they are virtually all superior to Windows if you are not a heavy gamer). No bloatware, no spyware, no tracking, no worry about product keys, virtually no threat of virus, etc.

[@frankcastle6298]

Did you make a video of that?

[@user-hv9sg5pl8b]

@@frankcastle6298 No, I am not a video creator. There are plenty of KZbin videos about how to change out an SSD. As long as it's not one soldered onto the motherboard it is very simple, once you get the laptop case open. Look for a video on your specific laptop, and you should find what you need. Each laptop is a little different, but the procedure is quite similar. Then just find a video about installing whatever distribution of Linux you prefer. Linux Mint is one of the current favorites for new users. Plenty of information out there. It is a fairly simple procedure if you are at all someone who is a tinkerer or at all tech savvy and want to learn. There is some learning and research involved when changing operating systems, but it is MUCH, MUCH easier than it was only a few years ago. I highly encourage anyone interested to give it a try, you will be pleasantly surprised.

[@frankcastle6298]

I know how to change out SSD. I'm considering getting my son a gaming PC or laptop haven't made my mind up for what would be better for him. I need to upgrade my pc as well I have a 10 yr old Dell XPS 8700 I've never used Linux but have always wanted to learn it I'm just tired of windows.

[@PhenomMy_Journey]

Do you have any suggestions. I'm a beginner learner in updating my operating system and would love some tips on what to do first.

[@user-hv9sg5pl8b]

@@PhenomMy_Journey The first suggestion, would be to make back-ups of any important documents or photos that cannot be replaced easily. Don't forget any receipts, user manuals, tax returns, personal correspondence that you want to save. You can either do this online to a remote server somewhere (google, one drive, many others) or you can do what I do and save them to an external, usb hard drive. No need to change out the SSD, unless you wish to save your Windows install. The first few times I switched exclusively to Windows, I didn't bother, and had no regrets. I will probably Wipe out the Windows from that saved SSD eventually - I see no reason to ever go back. At this point, I would suggest either Linux Mint, Zorin OS, or MX Linux. All three are very easy to install and configure.

[@ivans.935]

Thanks for the tips. However, I’m puzzled that you didn’t mention one of the most important Windows settings that must be changed - show file extensions in Windows Explorer.

[@timturner9315]

Mine windows 11 new gaming laptop showed them by default.

[@LuckyAzazel]

Used your Whokeys code and link, thanks!

[@AlexFromToronto]

Great video. As a legacy PC user who’s been in the Mac game for a while this is a nice intro to getting a newly acquired laptop setup.

[@vincetaylor6126]

Yeah, really great video thanks.

[@alexanderverbin1609]

Hello Ward, thank you for the video, I found something new for myself. The question is, what is your new laptop? And why did you make this choice? what about Legion and Thinkpad t440p? Thank you.

[@nmadw2836]

Great Video. No one makes this kind of content any more

[@JosephAraya]

check out Tech YES City, he does this type of content

[@FlyboyHelosim]

I'm pretty sure a lot of KZbinrs do.

[@Chukijay]

They definitely do lol

[@infotruther]

no one??? lol

[@infotruther]

chris titus does lol

[@fardrives]

i love your 8 bit music!

[@bertvantol9669]

GREAT !! For Debloating, I use the Chris Titus Debloat Utility. For more Clean-up I use Glary Utilities

[@BANKAI94]

Thank you Thank you this video helped huge, anyone who just got a new laptop or pc this is the only video you need to watch to get you started

[@sim9955]

Very useful video! Thank you! I've never considered setting up bitlocker, getting a new laptop soon, probably will enable it this time.

[@samconomo3726]

Great video,one of the best,

[@acideye]

Nice video!

[@error4159]

His changes to Windows 11 makes it look like KDE Plasma.

[@cool-aquarian]

One more thing i always do: Show file extensions for known file types.😊

[@lesleybergman3067]

Serendipity! My laptop was just delivered (upgrade from Windows 7). Thanks so much for all this info. I can venture forth with confidence and unbox this thing. And *maybe* retire my trusty 10 year-old PC.

[@47Seagull]

Great video. I'm just about to move back to Windows after 10 years on Mac so this was of great use. Interestingly I just bought a Thinkpad so everything is relevant to me. Thanks 😀

[@jGRite]

I know one thing I need, I need to be able to disable super (windows key) + C so that Cortana is not accidentally triggered.

[@Jdjfjfigkgigjfjfjej]

Wish he covered Cortana removal

[@infotruther]

try o&o shut up

[@singinmime]

Thank you for the new keyboard to go with my new laptop.

[@stefaniedc1128]

Is there any way you could show us how you set up your gaming folders? I want to know what your best practices are, so I can emulate!

[@FlyboyHelosim]

And once you've finished all of that... create an image of the SSD to a hard drive. That way, you can simply restore that if it all goes tits up without having to go through the whole monotonous process again.

[@nuknuk128]

i just learnt from another video that when installing win 11 if you set it to english world it wont install all those apps like tik tok and disney etc, then you can just change it to english US after install

[@regwatson2017]

Yes that would have been a better way to get rid of the bloatware....so much easier

[@robertsvideeo]

Totally love your video and I am so happy to have watched it priori to the first boot of my Lenovo. I‘ve got one question though, next to installed programs, there are tons of Apps , some of which I have no clue what they are. Is there an overview which Apps can be uninstalled?

[@alvarolopez2353]

Do you have a video for the steam installation in a separate folder?

[@notnecessary7730]

Th for this video, I do have a question. Can't we just uninstall the bloat through settings- Windows apps??

[@DonzLockz]

Freaking awesome! TY 🙏🤠🇦🇺

[@stevenmarkeveys864]

Once you bypass microsoft saying no internet can you just go inti settings and turn it on? Or will it prompt you to sign into microsoft when you tey to hook up? Thanks btw, nice job on video!

[@CaptainBollocks....]

I did a reset last week (I've been messing about with registry and various programs so a fresh install was needed) I also did a reset last night and on both occasions had no option to set-up in offline mode.

[@itsdeonlol]

This helps!

[@c7261]

I'm not sure if it works with a purchased pre-installed WIndows 11, but you can avoid all the bloatware by selecting "English (world)" as your language during installation. Never had bloatware since doing that. I also recommend "StartAllBack" as my favourite taskbar/start manager (it's less than the price of 1 coffee).

[@infotruther]

your right.

[@notnecessary7730]

Uhgg I wish I had read this comment before starting my new computer!!!

[@aledwidge]

Sir, would you do a video on how you install Steam? Thanks

[@karmitfrog7968]

which cheap budget thinkpad should i buy for android programming , AVD, editing . i want to buy cheap thinkpad and upgrading processor ram for programming specifications need .

[@rotemlv]

You should know that firefox has an https only mode - no plugs needed.

[@squidyboy7188]

the most detailed and useful information on new laptops for dummies 💯

[@spankyham9607]

The last computer I did out of the box Windows 11 the option for no internet wasn't there. Had to Shift F10 and tick tack the magic commands to bypass that crap.

[@nqgames2954]

You cannot click on "I don't have a internet connection" with the home version of windows. You must have the pro version. Bit locker is also a pro only feature.

[@oiytd5wugho]

You can click it, but it requires using the command prompt

[@user-qy9tf2im7f]

One thing he missed, before turning on Bit Locker, be sure to install a printer, so that you can print and store the key. You can also sign in and out of your MS Account and back up the key there. Watch yourself here, some Laptop OEM Versions of Windows Pro automatically enable Bit Locker and I have had done initial updates, that caused the Bit Locker Screen appear after restart, this only happened once with a Dell, but if I di not have the printed Key I would have been SOOL and would have needed to download and reinstall Windows and Dell Apps and stated all over again!

[@nothcrul]

HTTPS everywhere is no longer available. Any alternatives you recommend?

[@smokeyyunick2675]

Always great job. Now waiting for your install Windows 11 the right way!

[@private-nobody6667]

I am about to get a new computer today or tomorrow, and this information is helpful. I genuinely appreciate you sharing this information as I was disappointed that I had to go to Windows 11, which I didn't want, but I learned something new today regarding having the Windows 10 look and feel. I appreciate that information, as I will be implementing that on my new Alienware m18 r2, along with the information you gave regarding setting u the new computer. Again, I thank you for sharing. You have a new sub.

[@b.c.2177]

In my case turning off the Internet did not work. I used a wrong MS account and then it offered me the option to go ahead with local account.

[@preetsharan5661]

The first thing I did after downgrading to Windows 11 was "upgrading" back to Windows 10

[@richard21995]

Thanks for this great tutorial, unfortunately I only see having trouble getting connected. I don't have Internet option must have changed?

[@StatusQuo209]

I have a huge proponent of ReviOS. It's a stripped version of windows 11. Everything useful still works, with zero bloat.

[@infotruther]

its i am s huge proponent.

[@Tw-light]

Bro I'm interested in your lego build, looks awesome 😅

[@Pj-ej1tq]

Did not see this until I had partially installed a few apps on my new windows 11 laptop. Should I attempt a new setup from similar to out of box start?

[@hugosantos1476]

"Everything will be so round we'll have to buy circular monitors" LOL

[@infotruther]

i like round. feels warm

[@JillHarvis-vz1kf]

I put the windows 10 style start menu with explorerpatcher but with that style my start menu did not open. I am on the latest windows 11 insider preview build for the dev channel.

[@TheCodeKup]

I found a way around getting around the being forced to sign into a Microsoft account. Where it requested my user name and password, I typed random keys for both user name and password and when I pressed sign in it just said that it doesn't work and then proceeded to register me as a local user.

[@robertsvideeo]

Same here

[@robertsvideeo]

Without this helpful video I would have signed up though.

[@danwake4431]

if you get an enterprise key you can eliminate all tracking completely. which is nice.

[@infotruther]

can you please elaborate? ty

[@fdrehug7318]

Ninite is one of those thing I use first on a new system, nice to see you use it to

[@fillipeamg5877]

Why not format with a clean ISO beforehand? It would also use the oem key but with less bloat

[@pcsecuritychannel]

When you say things like Windows Defender is really good, it is better than everything else, I'm very curious where you got that information from? Could you possibly link some sources or say if it is based on your experience as a user in terms of how easy it is to use or whatever.

[@sotonin]

Windows hasn't needed third party anti virus for flipping years man. waste of money