Whatever the version, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10, after installing the system or even after having withdrawn the new PC from the mall with Windows already pre-installed, there are things that every user should immediately do to optimize the computer and keep it safe from external threats, viruses and personal privacy hazards. This simple guide collects the 10 basic and initial first configuration operations to be done when reinstalling Windows from scratch or when buying a new PC, trying to go in chronological order (even if it is not absolutely mandatory), to be done before using the Before.
1) System update with Windows Update
The new PC should already be installed with Windows 7 SP1 or the Windows 8.1 update for Windows 8, but it is always better to check.
Even if you already have the latest version of Windows, it is important to check if there are other updates to be installed.
In fact, what Microsoft releases via Windows Update are not updates that modify or add new functions, but are security patches to cover recently discovered bugs and vulnerabilities.
READ ALSO: Install Windows Update updates, problems and solutions
2) Update the drivers
On the new or newly installed PC you will find, already installed or to be installed, the drivers that allow you to take full advantage of all the hardware components such as the video card, audio, network, printer etc.
Unless you decide to download them from scratch from the various manufacturers' sites, drivers are usually installed via CDs provided by the vendor of the computer or its various components.
Microsoft releases the main driver updates through the Windows Update service and, in fact, if everything works, the only important driver to update is that of the video card.
In another article it is explained how to update the drivers also automatically .
Regarding the drivers, go to Control Panel -> Device Management and check that there are no yellow exclamation marks.
In this case it means that one or more components of the computer is not fully recognized.
In this case, it is possible that the drivers are on the CDs supplied when purchasing the computer.
Otherwise, proceed with the automatic programs.
3) Disable or limit UAC to be able to make system changes faster, without receiving boring messages about security risks.
In reality UAC remains an important security measure to prevent malware programs from being automatically executed on the computer so it would be better to keep User Account Control active, even if at a minimum level, that is to say at a lower level than the default one.
4) Remove the pre-installed programs
The biggest problem of new PCs, branded ones already installed and ready for use, is the presence of pre-installed programs which, for the most part, are useless, heavy and in some cases, even adware that collect data for advertising reasons.
In another article, we talked about how to have a new PC without junk and adware, how to eliminate crapware from a new Windows 8 PC and how to remove unnecessary programs and toolbars that slow down your computer.
5) recovery disk
Before installing anything, create a system recovery disc so that you can recover your system later in the event of errors or problems.
System restore alone is not really sufficient, as it cannot be used, for example, if the system does not start.
The main purpose of a system recovery disc is the ability to boot the computer even if the system fails to do so.
The disk contains the Windows system recovery tools for recovering from Windows errors and also the tool for recovering the computer from a backup image.
In another article, the guide to creating USB drives as a recovery disc in Windows .
6) Configure automatic backup
Backing up your PC is essential to prevent personal data from being lost by breaking or due to a virus.
Without using external programs, you can create a system image in Windows 7 or a backup image in Windows 8.1
7) Security
It is important to install immediately, even before starting to surf the internet, an antivirus that protects against malware and virus attacks, especially in Windows 7 which is totally exposed (while a Microsoft antivirus is pre-installed in Windows 8).
On new PCs already purchased pre-installed there is always an antivirus already installed which is however the trial version of a paid one.
In any case, therefore, uninstall (if any) the paid antivirus, and install one of the best free antivirus of the year.
8) Create a work account for each person who uses the PC
By going to Control Panel -> User Accounts you can create a new Windows user who has no administrator rights, for each person who will then use the PC.
This serves both to prevent a less experienced family member from doing damage to the PC, and to prevent any problem with the lowest and most hidden malware.
In fact, you can prevent any malware and viruses by using a secure account in Windows 8 and 7
In another article, the guide to create accounts on Windows and manage computer users .
9) Disable unnecessary services
Services are programs that start together with the Windows 7 operating system or that run automatically when a specific event occurs.
The useless ones can be disabled and we have therefore written how to make Windows 7 super fast by disabling unnecessary services, functions and options
10) View known file extensions .
This change is important because it shows the most used files with the document type name.doc.
The three letters after the point specify are the file extension and describe the format of the file.
Knowing immediately which extension has a file allows you to recognize them quickly.
In another article, the guide to see file extensions, change them and rename them.
11) Personalization
The customization options have changed quite a bit under Windows 7 and Windows 8.
By right-clicking on the desktop, clicking on Personalize, a new choice menu opens for themes, backgrounds, screensavers, colors and visualization.
In Windows 8 it is important to make sure that the PC starts showing the desktop and not the application screen, among the most important options to be changed immediately in Windows 8.1
12) Recovery of space on the hard disk
When using Windows 7 for the first time, you can already recover some disc space to avoid waste.
Locate the Recycle Bin on the desktop, right click on it, go to the properties and change the maximum space reserved for the Recycle Bin which, by default, should be around 12 GB.
Then open the Control Panel -> System and click on the link on the right System protection .
In the window that appears you can activate or deactivate the System Restore functionality.
Select the system disk, press on Configure, activate the restoration of settings and previous versions of the files if it was not already active and then set the disk space to reserve for the restoration with a value between 5 and 10 GB.
Now go to Control Panel -> System -> System Protection -> Advanced -> Pressing Settings -> Advanced and, where virtual memory is written, Change.
For instructions on how to change the paging file of the virtual memory look at another article but, in general, I would never exceed 2000 MB (as initial and maximum size).
Finally, delete the Windows Update files.
13) Install useful and free programs
In another article, we recommended the best free programs for a new PC to be installed immediately.
On another page, however, the list of the best free programs for Windows .
14) Reactivate the system restore, a useful tool to use when the computer has problems and no longer works as the day before.
