New to Windows 11? Do These 10 Things First

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title: "New to Windows 11? Do These 10 Things First" description: "Just got a new Windows 11 PC or upgraded from Windows 10? Here are the first settings to change and apps to install before you do anything else." date: "2026-05-01" keywords: ["windows 11 setup", "new windows 11 tips", "windows 11 first steps", "windows 11 guide"]

A new Windows 11 PC comes loaded with defaults that aren't set up for you. Ads in the Start menu, unnecessary background apps, and privacy settings that share more than they need to. Here's what to do in the first hour.

1. Run Windows Update Immediately

Before anything else, get current. Click Start, open Settings, go to Windows Update, and install everything available. Restart when prompted, then check again. Sometimes updates are stacked.

A fresh PC from the store can be months behind on patches.

2. Decide: Microsoft Account vs. Local Account

Windows 11 pushes you hard to use a Microsoft account. It's useful for OneDrive sync and license portability, but it also means more of your activity is connected to Microsoft's servers.

To use a local account instead: during setup (or via Settings then Accounts then Your Info), choose "Sign in with a local account instead." You'll lose OneDrive auto-sync but gain more privacy.

3. Clean Up the Taskbar

Windows 11's default taskbar has the Start button centered and several icons you probably don't need: Widgets, Chat, and sometimes shortcuts to apps you didn't ask for.

Right-click the taskbar, choose Taskbar settings, and turn off anything you don't use. If you prefer the Start button on the left like Windows 10, go to Personalization then Taskbar then Taskbar behaviors and change alignment to Left.

4. Review Privacy Settings

Go to Settings then Privacy and security. Work through each category:

• General: Turn off advertising ID, suggested content, and app launch tracking
• Diagnostics and feedback: Set to Basic (or Required) rather than Full
• Activity history: Disable unless you specifically want Timeline features
• Location: Disable unless you need it, or set it per-app

These won't break anything and reduce background data collection.

5. Uninstall Preinstalled Bloatware

New PCs often come with trial software, games, and apps the manufacturer or Microsoft installed. Go to Settings then Apps then Installed apps and sort by name. Uninstall anything you don't recognize or won't use.

Common culprits: Candy Crush, Disney+, McAfee trials, Xbox Game Bar (if you don't game), and manufacturer utilities you'll never open.

6. Set Up Windows Security (Not a Third-Party Antivirus)

Windows Defender, now called Windows Security, is genuinely good. You don't need to buy Norton or McAfee. Go to Settings then Privacy and security then Windows Security and make sure all green checkmarks are showing.

The only reason to use third-party antivirus is if your employer requires it.

7. Install Your Browser

Microsoft Edge ships with Windows 11 and it's fine, but if you prefer Chrome or Firefox, install it now. Search for it directly, not through a pop-up suggesting you "stay with Edge."

Set it as default: Settings then Apps then Default apps, search your browser name, and set all relevant file types.

8. Configure Power Settings

Go to Settings then System then Power and sleep. Set the screen to turn off after a reasonable time (5-10 minutes) and sleep after something longer (30-60 minutes).

For laptops: click Battery and choose Balanced or Best power efficiency to extend battery life. Avoid Best performance unless you're doing heavy work and plugged in.

9. Set Up OneDrive or Another Backup

Before you store anything important, make sure it has a backup. OneDrive is built into Windows 11 and the free 5GB tier handles documents and photos if you're selective.

If you have more to back up, external drives or a paid cloud service like Google Drive or Backblaze work well. The specific service matters less than having one at all.

10. Create a Restore Point

Before installing new software or making major changes, create a restore point. Search "Create a restore point" in the Start menu, click Create, and name it something like "Fresh Setup."

If something breaks later, you can roll back to this moment without losing your files.

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A lot of this is one-time setup that pays off for years. If your new PC is running slow already, crashing, or showing error messages out of the box, that's not normal. SageTech can take a look and get it sorted out.