If you’ve just got a new laptop, you’ll probably want to configure the system down to the last detail to suit your needs. But beyond creating your user account or deciding whether or not to use Cortana, Windows 10 offers a wide range of options to tailor the experience to each user . That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to show you some of the settings you should tweak in Windows 10 to get the most out of your new computer.
Link your Microsoft account
A Microsoft account allows you to expand your Windows 10 capabilities. For example, it allows you to sync settings and other system elements if you have other computers. It also replaces a local account, allowing you to log in with your email and password. It’s also ideal to link your account if you use OneDrive or Microsoft Office. In any case, to add your Microsoft account to Windows 10, you can do the following:
- Open the start menu and click on your account avatar.
- Select the Account Settings option .
- Then, click on Sign in with a Microsoft account .
- Follow the wizard’s instructions.
Please note that once you complete the process, you’ll need to use the credentials associated with your Microsoft online account. Your previous password, the one you used with your local account, will be deleted.
Encrypt your hard drive with BitLocker
With laptops, there’s always the risk of theft or loss. If you store important information on your hard drive, we recommend encrypting it to prevent others from accessing it. Windows 10 includes an encryption tool called BitLocker. You can use it like this:
- Open Windows Search and type BitLocker.
- Select the first result that appears.
- Next to the drive you want to encrypt, you’ll see the option to Turn on BitLocker . Click it.
- Choose where the encryption key should be saved.
- Finish the process by following the wizard’s instructions.
Next, remember to save the key to access your disk somewhere safe. If you choose to save it to your Microsoft account, this step isn’t necessary.
Customize the appearance of Windows 10 to the maximum
Windows 10 is a highly customizable operating system. To see all the options available to you, simply go to Settings and open the Personalization section . There you can modify the following elements:
- Wallpaper .
- System colors . Includes a dark mode, a light mode, and a choice of accent color.
- Lock screen . Allows you to add or remove items from the screen and change the background.
- Themes. Install themes in Windows 10. These include wallpaper packs and color schemes specifically selected for each theme.
- Start and Taskbar . Customize the taskbar and Start menu to your liking. The options are diverse, and you can even activate the full-screen Start menu.
Install your favorite browser and use it as default
Windows 10 includes Microsoft Edge . In recent versions, the default browser has greatly improved and its performance is exceptional. Despite this, you’re probably used to using another browser and aren’t considering switching just yet. To install any alternative, simply visit its website. Below are some of the best.
- Download Google Chrome
- Download Firefox
- Download Opera
- Download Brave
- Download Vivaldi
Once you’ve installed your preferred browser, go to System Settings and, under Applications, go to Default Applications . Under Web Browser, open the drop-down menu and make your selection. From then on, all links will open in the browser you selected.
Set up your email and manage your calendar
Windows 10 includes a comprehensive email manager that also lets you manage your account’s calendars and view your contact list. If you don’t want to complicate things with more comprehensive applications like Outlook or Thunderbird, you can easily configure your email . Mail and Calendar usually come preinstalled. If you can’t find them, you can download and install them from the app store. Then, open Mail and select your account’s service provider. Sign in with your username and password to enjoy your email in Windows 10.
Install essential apps from the Microsoft Store
The Windows 10 app store isn’t the best example of quality and variety. But that doesn’t stop us from finding great gems within it. To get your computer up and running, nothing beats a few essential apps for performing a variety of tasks.
For example, you can download Adobe Reader or Foxit PDF . Both are perfect for managing your PDF files, even using a touchscreen. You also have Spotify, Netflix , and Prime Video available . You can even use Alexa thanks to its official app. Finally, if you were looking for the best music, video, and other multimedia player for your computer, the Microsoft Store also allows you to download the UWP version of VLC.
Create a regular backup of your entire computer
To finish this review of the first steps you should take with Windows 10, we’ll talk about backups. Some of the options related to this aspect have been moved to the Settings app . You can access them by clicking Update & Security and then Backup . What should you do next? Use the Add a drive button to activate the File History option .
After setting up File History, Windows 10 will help you recover your documents if they’ve been corrupted, accidentally deleted, or lost. Having them on a drive other than your primary drive will allow you to recover them quickly. Remember, you can also turn on OneDrive to keep your files safe in the cloud.
