Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s famous operating systems that drives more than 60 percent of the market, according to statistics. It’s highly intuitive, stable, and safe, with a series of features that provide an extremely satisfying user experience. Furthermore, its low resource consumption and ability to serve multiple tasks at once, make it arguably the best version of Windows so far.
If you’re installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 on your PC, there are some activities that you should take on as soon as you finish the installation process and start Windows 10 for the first time. Let’s see 12 things you should do after installing Windows 10.
Activate Windows
Depending on the way you obtained your version of Win 10, there are two basic methods of activation. One is by providing a digital license and the other is by entering a product key. Both ways require you to go to Settings and then click on the Activation button placed on the left side of the screen.
To activate your computer using a digital license, simply login to your Microsoft account and the OS will activate automatically.
Product key activation is almost as simple, just click on the Change product key button, and enter 25-character code you received when you purchased Windows 10.
Install Updates
Too keep your PC stable and working, you need to keep an updated version of Windows running, at all times. Again, you should go to Settings >> Windows Updates and click on Check for updates button. When the computer is done with checking, it will offer you to install any available updates.
This is also a good place to start organizing when, how, and which updates you wish your system to install automatically and which updates you’ll perform manually.
Check Hardware
Windows 10 allows its users to see if there are any problems concerning the functionality of your hardware under the new OS.
Go to Settings, then click on the Systems icon, and check your sound, graphics, and storage. Your network and internet settings should be ok if you were able to update and activate Windows, but you can still go back from the System panel and go to Network settings to check for any issues.
Install drivers (optional)
While Windows 10 can recognize most of the hardware options available on the market, some of your equipment might require a personal touch. This goes especially for your graphics card which is best updated if you go to the manufacturer website and choose the most recent drivers available.
Update and enable Windows Defender
Windows 10 comes with its firewall and virus protection software, which means you don’t have to install third-party software. All you have to do is go to Settings >> Updates and Security >> Windows Defender. This is where you can update security features and antivirus library, which is all you need for basic online safety.
Install additional software
Start installing pieces of software you need, but keep your Windows Security activated especially if you’re downloading software from the internet. Installing Google Chrome is what most people do, however, some websites require JavaScript support, which Chrome doesn’t provide, which is why I think it’s best to stay with the default browser – Microsoft Edge. Imagine looking for hnd assignment help online and the service you choose requires JavaScript to submit a request. You could be refreshing the page forever before you realize that your browser is the cause of the trouble.
Delete Old Windows files
If you had a previous version of Windows already installed, the new version will keep all of your files packed in Old Windows folder. Browse through that folder to find the files you wish to keep and delete the remaining files, to provide more space on your disk.
Personalize Windows environment
Right-click on Windows desktop and choose Personalize option. This will allow you to change how your work environment looks like. Here you can change colors, fonts, wallpaper, screensaver, and other user interface elements.
Set optimal resolution
Right-click again on the desktop and choose Display settings to adjust screen resolution and other display settings according to your needs and preferences.
Open This Computer with Windows Explorer
By default, Windows Explorer will open with Quick Access, however, it’s more practical to change this setting. Just open Win Explorer, in the top menu, find View tab and click on Options, and Change explorer settings. There, choose the Explorer to launch with This Computer.
Train Cortana to respond to your voice
Cortana is Windows’ assistant that responds to voice commands. To train her to respond to your voice only, just click Win+S or Win+Q, go to Settings, and scroll down until you reach the “Respond Best” option. Choose this option and follow instructions to calibrate Cortana to respond to your voice.
Backup Windows
In the end, all you have to do is backup your OS so you can always go back to these initial settings. Go to Settings from the Start menu, then go to Update and Security and choose Backup on the left side of the screen. Choose how you wish to back up your data, and continue using Windows as you wish.
Conclusion
These were the 12 most necessary steps you should take to have a clean and functional version of Windows 10. Please let us know in the comments if you feel other actions should also be on our list.
Justin Osborne is a writer at resume help and research papers writing, he loves to share his thoughts and opinions about education, writing and blogging with other people on different blogs and forums. Currently, he is working as a content marketer at essay help and college-paper.org review.
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