new computer. what to do first?
Discussion
Bought a new laptop yesterday (Lenovo) which should arrive today.
It's running Windows 8.1, of which I have absolutely zero experience (been running WinXP until now)
What are the first steps I should take when the computer arrives? ie. Setting up user accounts, creating back-up discs (is it likely to come with a Disc for Windows? I doubt it, so how do you do restores etc?), deleting 'bloatware', partioning drives?
What is 'best practice' for setting up a new computer optimally?
I'm going to be installing Sage and OpenOffice initially.
It's running Windows 8.1, of which I have absolutely zero experience (been running WinXP until now)
What are the first steps I should take when the computer arrives? ie. Setting up user accounts, creating back-up discs (is it likely to come with a Disc for Windows? I doubt it, so how do you do restores etc?), deleting 'bloatware', partioning drives?
What is 'best practice' for setting up a new computer optimally?
I'm going to be installing Sage and OpenOffice initially.
http://www.classicshell.net/
If you're used to a traditional Start menu and don't want to pay for Start8 that someone else recommended.
If you're used to a traditional Start menu and don't want to pay for Start8 that someone else recommended.
I'd also get an 8GB USB stick and run the recovery manager - creates a back-up similar to the recovery partition but obviously isn't on the same drive (so you can replace the HD if necessary). Win 8.1 allows you to boot to desktop and as has been mentioned classicshell will let you make Win 8 look and feel like any previous version of windows. I tend to add malwarebytes, ccleaner, defraggler, vlc, spywareblaster, 7-zip and foxit pdf reader to all my machines asap (also speccy to see if the machine has everything it was supposed to come with).
Using tools in Ccleaner I'd then uninstall any of the bloatware including a lot of the OEM crap.
Using tools in Ccleaner I'd then uninstall any of the bloatware including a lot of the OEM crap.
I don't think most of the above is necessary these days; Windows has come a long way but users never want change! Personally I would just set yourself up with a Microsoft ID (just an email address and a password), get on the app store, and have a play with Win8.1. It takes a while to 'get' the Start Screen, but I wouldn't go back now.
gaz1234 said:
format c: /q
boot win xp cd
Do not do this!boot win xp cd
XP is slower, 32 bit only (unless you use the half-arsed 64 bit version) and is no longer supported. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Windows 8.1. You don't even have to see the new start menu, unless you want to (and you realise it is just a full screen start menu).
Edited by Zod on Tuesday 29th July 11:46
Instead of fighting against Windows 8 by trying to "do things the old way" just accept it, use it as it was designed and get on with it. No-one likes change but if you spend your life fighting against it you won't get anywhere.
I was also under the impression that standalone AV software is not needed for Win 8. I certainly haven't installed any.
http://conversation.which.co.uk/technology/windows...
I was also under the impression that standalone AV software is not needed for Win 8. I certainly haven't installed any.
http://conversation.which.co.uk/technology/windows...
ManFromDelmonte said:
Instead of fighting against Windows 8 by trying to "do things the old way" just accept it, use it as it was designed and get on with it. No-one likes change but if you spend your life fighting against it you won't get anywhere.
I was also under the impression that standalone AV software is not needed for Win 8. I certainly haven't installed any.
http://conversation.which.co.uk/technology/windows...
From that 18 month old article; "If you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 8, Microsoft Security Essentials is a good bet and happens to be free too."I was also under the impression that standalone AV software is not needed for Win 8. I certainly haven't installed any.
http://conversation.which.co.uk/technology/windows...
Suggests to me this source is maybe not the most reliable.
LordGrover said:
From that 18 month old article; "If you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 8, Microsoft Security Essentials is a good bet and happens to be free too."
Suggests to me this source is maybe not the most reliable.
You have to be doing stupid things to catch something that MSE doesn't stop. Don't let me stop the AV-company-sponsored AV reviews from clouding your judgement though!Suggests to me this source is maybe not the most reliable.
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