The First Things to Do with a New Windows Computer

[@askleonotenboom]

You only have one chance to take some of these steps.

[@rldsmith86]

what should you do if you have already performed the updates and downloaded software that came with the computer. Unfortunately I found your video a few hours too late.

[@askleonotenboom]

@@rldsmith86 Take an image as soon as you can. It's not worth starting over. :-)

[@rldsmith86]

@@askleonotenboom thank you very much for responding to me. I immediately shut down the computer, in hopes that you would respond. Thank you again.

[@gamingtechandbeyond]

Great tips. I also advice to uninstall all bloatware that comes in your system or all programs you seem unnecessary as they take up disk space and a lot of times background resources making the computer slow or slower than it should be. A lot of times your computer it's faster than it seems and it is because of all those background processes using up your memory and cpu while it's doing nothing.

[@JimE6243]

Thanks Leo. Currently waiting on new laptop as I type. Can the backup be done with EaseUS ToDo downloaded on a thumb drive from another computer and then just inserted into the new computer? JimE PS: Just watched "How Should I Back Up a New Computer?" March 23, 2023 and you gave me the answer. Thanks again. JimE

[@bloqk16]

The suggestion with not connecting to the internet is something I applaud. But, in 2024 with a laptop PC, the set up process hits a dead-end and cannot get up-and-running until it is plugged into the internet. Try as I did with all sorts of workarounds, none worked.

[@WeirdOleHippy]

My first time here. Clarity is extremely important and this is as good as I have seen. Bookmarked!

[@civsully1740]

Hey Leo, Do you think you can add to this by discussing the best way to take advantage of new computers that come with two drives with one being a SSD and the other a standard HDD? I have a new PC on the way and after following all the steps here I'm wondering which drive I should be restoring my system backup onto. As well as other soon to be added programs. Thanks and this is the best site for computing info. Thx for your dedicated work doing it!

[@JapChinLuvr]

There are a lot of things that are great to do to a new computer. First I'd get my hands on a device to "clone" the boot drive. A dual-bay dock is great for standard drives. Second, I'd install the latest version of "ShutUp10". This will allow you to take immediate control over what your computer sends out - especially to Microsoft. Then - after you have installed any additional applications that you want to use regularly - whether utilities or games, etc. - make another "clone" In fact, each time you make a major update to your computer, make another "clone" - but don't get rid of the old copies. If necessary in the future, you can go back as far as necessary to undo a "regret". If you are running an SSD, you can "clone" to the more economical HDs. Finally, just be careful where you "cruise" on the internet.

[@modhatter113]

Leo, you are the best that is out there at helping people. Your very much appreciated .

[@civsully1740]

Again great info. I just wished he had clarified an additional step in this regarding sending a backup with all programs and data from the original pc onto the new pc after completing all of the above steps. Especially if the new pc has a different processor like going from an AMD to Intel processor. Does the backup being restored cause conflicts with the new pristine pc. Well I guess is a another subject? Still a great checklist to have!

[@davidkachel]

I know this one... I just bought a new Windows computer. First thing, I installed Linux Mint on it! Works great!! ;-)

[@davidkachel]

@@stevejohnson1321 Or, as I recently did, remove the NvME drive with Windows on it, install a new larger drive and THEN install Linux on that instead. That way you have a fresh install of Windows on a drive if you happen to need it. Another added benefit... every time you open the drawer and see that unused Windows OS drive, you can laugh at it!!

[@davidkachel]

@@stevejohnson1321 Yes, but they will never reduce the bloat, the spying and the constant attempts to get more money out of us.

[@chrissimpson1183]

You still need to make sure the OS is up to date and set up backups....

[@chrissimpson1183]

You also need an anti virus for it...

[@davidkachel]

@@chrissimpson1183 Far simpler and less annoying with Linux. No contest, whatsoever!

[@carlos_gongora]

Another important tip is to install an Undelete app. Windows doesn't have one. And sometimes Recycle Bin is not enough because many times you will need to delete files bypassing the Recycle Bin (Shift-Del), and you will be at risk, when doing this, to recover files that you deleted with this method.

[@johnjones-d9b]

Sorry but how do I do the things you are suggesting?

[@stevewoodruff4242]

Hi Leo, Why do you recommend installing a system image backup tool rather than just using windows system image to do a system backup? Thanks

[@askleonotenboom]

Microsoft is telling people that tool is going away and even THEY suggest using a third party tool. The built in tool, in my experience, is significantly more limited than 3rd party tools, and it's not getting any better.

[@stevewoodruff4242]

In that case how should I get the backup software on my new computer and do a system backup before exposing the device to any programs or internet . Can I download from another computer and have the program run from a usb device and then after the system backup install it on the new machine. and which software do you prefer is better

[@askleonotenboom]

@@stevewoodruff4242 The most pragmatic way is to download the programs installer on another computer, and then install it on your new. Yes, that's technically not "pristine" any more, but close enough. The alternative is to create "rescue media" on another machine with that other backup program, and then boot the new machine from the rescue media. In most cases rescue media can also be used to create backups. I've done it, and it's more effort than it's worth, though.

[@chuckszkalak1535]

very helpful, thanks Leo

[@pdep]

An integrated list of the steps to create a windows 11 system recovery USB drive would have been helpful. No big deal, but it would save wandering off and looking for it elsewhere.

[@Milesco]

*My thoughts exactly.* 👍 Leo is great, but I find that a lot of his advice involves telling us what to do but not how to do it. 😟

[@Our1stPlanet]

FIRST Backup with the manufactures Software. How do you download macrium reflect? 8:13

[@askleonotenboom]

From macrium.com

[@50charactersonly61]

What about the pros and cons of signing into Windows 11 with a MS account? Is it better and more secure than a local account? Which do you advise?

[@askleonotenboom]

Win 11 makes it really hard not to use a Microsoft Account. In my opinion it's fine, and makes a few things easier. There are others who disagree strongly.

[@50charactersonly61]

@@askleonotenboom Tks

[@Thomcat2000]

What about split the hdd in 2 partions? One for Os and software. The second one as data with all your photos, videos, documents etc you work with. Also backed up somewhere of cource. I always do that.

[@walterantonello8371]

This is good advise and in hindsight I would have taken an image with easeus todo as soon as possible, but unfortunately I only made a recovery usb when I bought the computer thinking it was a factory image. What would this give me if I wanted to reinstall to factory settings ? Also another question how difficult is it to do a clean install of windws 10/ 11 these days and how would it be done ?

[@hfkvancouver]

1 First thing I do is re-install Windows from recovery partition! 2 partition hard-drive, move all folders to new partition!

[@USNVA-yn6cp]

win 11 now will only load while online,, so, do I do my system image backup after installing the updates while online?

[@randyriegel8553]

I usually buy a gaming laptop about once a year. I don't game but a I'm a software developer so I like as much power as possible. Most come with Home edition... first thing I do it wipe entire drive and put Win11 Pro on it (I have license) because that is what I need for work. Then repurpose the old machine to a Linux machine and probably use the Linux machine more when I'm not working than the Windows one. 😁

[@gpcrawford8353]

Leo if you take a system image from the get go will you have to keep that entirely separate from any other image back ups . Ie will it get over written by future backups.?

[@askleonotenboom]

This depends entirely on the tool you use and how it's configured. (The default is generally not to overwrite, but to accumulate.)

[@civsully1740]

What about using Windows on the new computer to make the system image backup instead of Macrium or Easetodo?

[@askleonotenboom]

Windows built-in image backup, while better than nothing, has problems. Even Microsoft says it'd deprecated and third party tools should be used.

[@civsully1740]

@@askleonotenboom And you're still recommending Macrium correct?

[@askleonotenboom]

@@civsully1740 Macrium Reflect or EaseUS Todo

[@bobfrog4836]

The first thing I do with a new Windows computer is make the GUI as much like XP as possible.

[@Mcfreddo]

Gotta buy one first.

[@rek550]

This is not helpful for beginners like me. I need step by step instructions.

[@Tommy_007]

Those that DON'T need instructions probably don't need this video!

[@peterwood6875]

boot into an arch install usb

[@dannid.8115]

In 2018, I created win 7 image with easeus. In 2020, upgrade to win 10. In 2022 my asus laptop win 10 feel so slow. What should I do? Reset or restore image? What will happen cause the image is win 7?

[@askleonotenboom]

If you restore the Win 7 image, your machine will run Windows 7 and all updates applied since that image was taken will be lost. I recommend a Windows 10 reset at this point.

[@eyobdemissie7010]

Simply thank you you teach like a father and You care about my computer so like I say simply thank you.

[@dannid.8115]

What is the diffrence bw image and windows reset? Whatabout to maintain manage drivers?

[@askleonotenboom]

Windows Reset is basically a re-setup of windows - setting it up from scratch. An image is just a copy of the already-set-up disk. Not sure what you're asking about drivers in this context.

[@dannid.8115]

@@askleonotenboom when we first install windows, then we need to install or update drivers isnt it? Best take system image before or after install drivers? Do you backup your drivers? Which software is best? double driver or drivermax etc

[@askleonotenboom]

@@dannid.8115 I let Windows Update deal with drivers. No other tools are needed 99.99% of the time.

[@ivarfiske1913]

@@dannid.8115 it is best to take a system image backup before AND after driver install

[@LSUfan]

Also uninstall software installed my the manufacturer that you don’t want.

[@Tommy_007]

Telling people to make a system image backup is not helpful if you don't tell them HOW to use that backup when it is needed...

[@askleonotenboom]

I have perhaps a dozen videos and articles on the topic. Start by searching askleo.com.

[@markkulyas2418]

It should be illegal for these computer companies to force us to keep buying new computers, just to keep up with their new operating systems.

[@askleonotenboom]

No one is forcing you to buy a new machine.

[@danherrick5785]

@@askleonotenboom OK, I will just go back to pen and paper.

[@Mcfreddo]

Yeah, stuff microsoft and their downloads and take your advice.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Load Linux

[@SirGa1ahad]

first thing: install linux

[@none941]

Put it back in the box and return it for a full refund!

[@sithlordbilly4206]

Throw it directly in the trash. It is already old & obsolete! 😆 ...Lol

[@shadoman7682]

Uninstall Windows 10, Install Windows 7

[@ryanolsen294]

Windows 7 has gone out of date. Another Windows OS option you can choose is Windows 8.1. This is isn't to say that Windows 7 is bad, but it might have errors and will lack the support.

[@cadelepski5161]

If you're doing that, just keep your old system. Win 7 is outdated & unsupported. Win 10/11 blow it out of the water.

[@thumper84]

The first thing to do is erase windows and install linux

[@UltraZelda64]

Second thing to do: Call the manufacturer/OEM and get a refund for the OS license that will never be used.