By Arya Babu

You’ve spent a great deal of time researching, shortlisting, and finally bought that brand-new laptop. But your job is far from done. You still need to set it up to make sure that the laptop behaves the way you want it to. Setting up a new laptop doesn't just mean choosing the region, keyboard layout or signing in to your Microsoft or Apple accounts. These are simply the initial mandatory steps, and a proper setup involves various practices, advices and cautions that you should keep in mind. Here are a few simple things you can do to set up your laptop like a pro.

Update your OS

Many times, the automatic update is turned off by default. Check the operating system version the laptop is running, and whether there is an update available. If there is, it is imperative to hit the update button as soon as possible. Regular updating keeps your device secure, and also makes sure it is running at optimal levels.

Remove unused applications

If you notice that your new laptop is taking longer than usual to boot up, it is a red flag. One or more of your recently installed applications may be impacting the laptop performance. Make sure that these applications are from trusted sources, and aren’t just bloatware. Make sure you get rid of the unnecessary apps and programs.

Take care of the Tray programs

By default, there are numerous programs parked on the System Tray, which boot up with the OS and hog precious resources. Stop the unnecessary apps from running in the background by clicking on the Up arrow on the right side of the taskbar, and filtering them out.

Manage start-up apps

Another way to ensure fast boot ups is to have a relatively clear OS start-up process. Right-click on the taskbar, choose Task Manager, and then head to 'Processes'. This will give you a holistic picture of all the programs/apps that start running when you boot up your laptop. To free up some RAM and boost your speed, you should disable a few of these depending upon your needs.

Use an antivirus tool

Windows Defender is a good enough antivirus tool for most use cases. But if you want an added layer of security for your system, then you should invest in an antivirus service from a well-known brand. While there are quite a few free services available, it is recommended that you invest in a paid one.

Find My Device

Find My Device is a fairly common feature on smartphones, but did you know that it is also present in most modern laptops? It is disabled by default, but one that needs to be enabled on priority. It can come in handy in case you misplace your laptop or it gets stolen.

Biometric authentication

Fingerprint or face recognition features are fast becoming common on modern laptops. Set up these authentication features to add an extra layer of protection for your laptop. It is also a faster way to access your laptop as fingerprint or face authentication is faster than typing out a password.

Saving power

Power-saving settings such as "turn off my screen after" or "put my device to sleep after" are a few things which are personal choices. Set these up according to your needs and workflow in such a way that it saves your battery. These features eventually help in keeping up your battery health.

Protect your data

Data is more valuable than gold in this digital age. Don't forget to set up a backup option. There are many cloud-based options such as Google Drive, One Drive, and iCloud to name a few. Set one up, and then leave it to them to routinely back up your data.

Create disk partitions

Disk partitioning is another thing that one needs to do. Depending upon SSD, HDD or a combination of these two, you will see either just one drive or two – drive (C:). To create further partitions for better organising your data, right-click on the start menu, and go to Disk Management. Right-click on the Windows (C:) in the middle, and choose the Shrink Volume. After a short analysis, you’ll be given options to shrink the partition size, and create new ones.

Bonus tips

There are a few other fairly simple and obvious things that everyone does when they set up a new laptop. You can personalise your device by setting up home screen, layout, wallpaper, theme, and screensaver.

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How to set up your laptop like a pro?