How to Set Up a New Laptop or Desktop Computer

In short

A careful new computer setup takes an hour or two and saves trouble for years. This tutorial walks you through the first start-up screens on Windows and Mac, then the essential follow-up jobs: installing updates, checking security, removing apps you don’t want, setting up backups and moving files from your old computer. Work through it in order, and don’t rush the first-start screens.

Before you start

Charge the laptop fully or plug it in, and set it up somewhere with good Wi-Fi. For a desktop, connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse first, and consider plugging the computer into a surge-protected power strip.

Decide on your account. Windows 11 setup normally signs you in with a Microsoft account (an email address used for Outlook, OneDrive and the Microsoft Store), and a Mac asks for an Apple Account. Using these accounts lets you recover your password, sync settings and use cloud backups. Have the email and password ready, or be prepared to create one during setup.

Keep the box and receipt until you’re sure everything works, and note any return deadline from the retailer.

Key terms

• Setup screens (first-run setup): the questions a new computer asks the first time it starts. Apple calls this Setup Assistant.
• Microsoft account / Apple Account: the online account that signs you into the computer and its services.
• PIN and Windows Hello: quick ways to sign in to Windows with a short number, your face or your fingerprint, on supported devices.
• Preinstalled apps: software the computer maker added, including trial versions you may not need.
• Restore point / recovery: ways to return the computer to a working state if something goes wrong later.

Lesson 1: the first start-up

Windows 11

1. Press the power button. Choose your country or region, then your keyboard layout. Skip the second layout unless you need one.
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network when asked. Windows needs the internet to finish setup on most new computers.
3. Let Windows check for updates if it offers to. This can take a while.
4. Name the computer if asked, for example “Kitchen-Laptop”.
5. Sign in with your Microsoft account, or follow the prompts to create one.
6. Create a PIN when prompted. It’s a quick way to sign in and is stored only on this computer.
7. Review the privacy settings one by one. Read each option and turn off anything you’re not comfortable with, such as tailored experiences or advertising ID.
8. Decide whether to back up to OneDrive. You can change this later.

Mac

1. Press the power button and follow Setup Assistant: choose your country, language and Wi-Fi network.
2. When asked about transferring information, choose Not now if this is your first Mac, or follow the Migration Assistant prompts to copy from an older Mac or Windows PC.
3. Sign in with your Apple Account or create one.
4. Create your computer account name and password. Choose a password you’ll remember, and turn on Touch ID if your Mac has it.
5. Review the options for Location Services, analytics and Screen Time, and accept or decline each one.

Checkpoint: you reach the desktop and can open the web browser and load a website.

Lesson 2: the essential follow-up jobs

1. Install all updates. On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates; install everything and restart, then check again until nothing is left. On a Mac, open System Settings > General > Software Update. Our Windows Update tutorial explains this in detail.
2. Check security. On Windows, open the Windows Security app and confirm there are green ticks. Windows includes built-in antivirus protection, so you don’t need to buy more unless you want to.
3. Remove apps you don’t want. On Windows, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the three dots next to a trial or unwanted app, and choose Uninstall. Leave anything you don’t recognize from the computer maker if you’re unsure what it does.
4. Check the computer maker’s support app, if one came preinstalled. It can install firmware and driver updates for your exact model. Register the computer on the maker’s official website if you want warranty reminders.
5. Set up your browser and email. Sign in to your email and add bookmarks for sites you use.
6. Add your printer. Follow our printer setup tutorial or simply add an existing network printer.
7. Set up a backup, so you never lose photos or documents. See backing up your files.

Checkpoint: updates show “You’re up to date”, Windows Security or your Mac shows no warnings, and you know where your backups go.

Lesson 3: move files from your old computer

1. On the old computer, copy your Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos and Desktop folders to an external drive or upload them to cloud storage such as OneDrive or iCloud Drive.
2. On the new computer, copy them into the matching folders. If you used cloud storage, sign in to the same account and let the files download.
3. Reinstall the apps you need from their official sources, rather than copying program folders across.
4. Keep the old computer untouched for a few weeks, until you’re sure nothing is missing. When you’re ready to give it away or recycle it, reset it using its recovery options.

Check that it worked

Restart the new computer and sign in. Check that your files open, the printer prints, the browser remembers your bookmarks, and the backup has run at least once. Your new computer setup is complete.

If something goes wrong

• Setup is stuck on a screen for a long time: updates during setup can be slow. Leave it plugged in; if nothing changes for well over an hour, hold the power button to restart and setup will usually resume.
• Windows won’t continue without the internet: connect to Wi-Fi, or use a phone’s hotspot temporarily.
• You forgot the password you just created: for a Microsoft account or Apple Account, use the “forgot password” option on the sign-in screen, which uses your email or phone to verify you.
• Some apps from the old computer won’t install: check the publisher’s website for a version that supports your new operating system.
• The laptop seems slow on the first day: it may still be indexing files and installing updates in the background. Leave it on and plugged in for a few hours.

FAQ

Do I have to use a Microsoft account on Windows 11?

Windows 11 setup is designed around a Microsoft account, and most new computers ask for one. It gives you password recovery and access to OneDrive and the Microsoft Store. Microsoft’s help pages explain the account options available for your version.

Should I install extra antivirus software on a new laptop?

Windows includes Microsoft Defender antivirus in the Windows Security app, and Macs have built-in protections. Many people find these enough when combined with updates and careful downloading.

How long should a new computer setup take?

The first start-up screens take around half an hour, and updates can take longer. Allow one to two hours in total, including moving files.

What should I do with my old computer?

Keep it until you’re sure everything has moved across, then reset it to remove your data. Many retailers and local programs accept old electronics for recycling.