New Windows Computer Setup

Setting up a new Windows computer

1. Disassociate Microsoft from your email

The main benefit is slightly greater privacy. The downside is that your computer may not be linked to your M$ account. Your bitlocker key and app purchases (throught the Microsoft store) may not be stored with M$. Be sure to have a backup of your bitlocker key. Also, the “Find My Device” option may not be available through M$.

In my opinion, the benefits outweigh the costs. Follow the instructions at:

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Microsoft-Account-from-Windows-11

2. Remove any unnecessary pre-installed programs

Go to Setting > Apps and review all pre-installed apps. Some are probably not need. In particular look for anti-virus programs like Norton. These programs provide temporary AV protection, but will then require a subscription. Most people NEVER realize they needed to get a subscription and leave an outdated AV program on their computer. Microsoft’s built-in AV is very good and sufficient.

If you’re not sure about a program, do a web search about it and decide whether or not you need it.

3. O&O AppBuster & ShutUp

AppBuster removes all those apps that really don’t want or need. After installation go to Edit > Select all apps recommended for removal. Look through the list of all the apps it’s recommending for removal and uncheck any that you want to keep. You should also look through those it doesn’t recommend for removal and select any you don’t want.

When ready then click the Remove button. It’s going to ask something about whether to delete just for the user or the whole system. Choose user.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/ooappbuster

ShutUp disables various telemetry services. Just like with AppBuster go to Edit > Apply only recommended settings.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

4. Install Firefox

Firefox is my trusted browser. Actually I use a more focused fork called Zen, but it’s Firefox.

Be sure to install Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger extensions! And change the default search engine away from Google. I would suggest SwissCows, DuckDuckGo, Searx (of which there are many options).

5. Disable Edge

The Edge browser is constantly running in the background hoggin resources. Disable it by doing the following:

Open Edge and go to Settings. Look for System and Performance. Turn off the options “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.”

Here also look for “Startup Boost” and disable it as well.

6. Disable services that slow your computer

In order to access services, in the search bar type services and you should get a link to the app. Once services is open there are 2 services you might want to disable to improve your computer’s performance: Superfetch and Indexing.

Look for something called SysMain. This is Superfetch. Double click on it. Next to Startup Type choose Disabled. Then under Service Status stop it.

In the same Services app, look for Windows Search. This is Windows Indexing. Do the exact same steps as for Superfetch.

7. Password Manager

Get a password manager! Don’t use the one built into your browser (although that’s better than nothing). I recommend Bitwarden. Let it not only manage your passwords, but also create secure passwords. And make those passwords as long as possible.

If a service offers passkeys, install them!