How to Setup a New Computer? Do it in the right order.

1. Turn on the computer and connect to Wi-Fi or a network cable.
2. Select:
   • Country or region: Australia
   • Language: English (Australia)
   • Keyboard: US. There is no Australian keyboard layout, so use US.
   • Time zone: your local time zone
3. Sign in with a Microsoft account, or create one if you need to.
4. Create a Windows PIN. It is normally quicker than typing your full password.
5. Choose Set up as a new device, unless you are moving from another computer.
6. Turn on Find my device, especially on a laptop.
7. Review the privacy options and turn off anything you don't want, such as personalised advertising or location access you don't need. You can change these later in Settings → Privacy & security. See Microsoft's privacy settings guide.

• Go to Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
• Install all available updates, restart the computer and check again. Repeat until Windows says it is up to date.
• Then open Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates to update your Microsoft Store apps.

If you like using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and the other Office apps, get a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription. It gives you all the Office apps and OneDrive storage.

• While you are setting up the subscription, turn on two-factor authentication in your Microsoft account.
• Don't use the same password for your email, banking, Microsoft and social media accounts.

Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps and uninstall:

• Manufacturer trial software.
• Games or apps you will never use, such as Xbox if you don't use it.
• McAfee. It is installed on most new computers, so make sure you uninstall it.
• Unfamiliar apps you didn't install yourself. Check what they are before you remove them.

Only install what you need. You don't need everything on this list.

• Browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, which comes with Windows. Sign in to Edge with your Microsoft account to sync your history and bookmarks.
• Password manager: Bitwarden, 1Password or another reputable option.
• Video calls: Zoom, Teams or Google Meet.
• Documents: Microsoft 365 (if you bought the subscription), LibreOffice or Google Docs. Pick one. You only need one of them.
• Media: VLC.
• File compression: WinRAR. You can keep using the trial, so you don't need to pay for it.
• Graphics or editing software, if you need it.
• Antivirus: we always recommend Trend Micro Worry-Free Business, which we can supply for about $68 per device per year.
• Printer and scanner drivers: from the manufacturer's official website.

Download software only from the company's official website or the Microsoft Store. Avoid "PC cleaner", "driver booster" and unofficial antivirus programs.

These apps are made and managed by their vendors, not Call IT Mate. We can't take responsibility for any changes they make to your system.

Open Windows Security from the Start menu and check that:

• Virus & threat protection is active.
• Real-time protection is on.
• The firewall is on.
• App & browser control is on.
• SmartScreen is on.

If you installed Trend Micro, it covers most of this. If you didn't, these checks are important. Either way, it is worth checking to be sure.

Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, the Windows firewall and protection that checks apps and downloads. See Microsoft's Windows Security overview.

• Settings → System → Display: resolution, scaling and night light.
• Settings → System → Sound: speakers, microphone and volume.
• Settings → Bluetooth & devices: mouse, keyboard and printer.
• Settings → Personalisation: wallpaper, colours and taskbar.
• Settings → System → Power & battery: sleep and screen timeout.
• Settings → Apps → Default apps: default browser, PDF reader and email app.
• Settings → Privacy & security: camera, microphone, location, notifications and app permissions.