Laptop setting up

[jbswagger]

Hi

I have four used windows laptop. What do you do to set them up as I would prefer to use them on a holiday with the family as have them already.

Thanks

[the-norseman]

jbswagger said:

Hi

I have four used windows laptop. What do you do to set them up as I would prefer to use them on a holiday with the family as have them already.

Thanks

In English?

[HiAsAKite]

jbswagger said:

Hi

I have four used windows laptop. What do you do to set them up as I would prefer to use them on a holiday with the family as have them already.

Thanks

Turn them on?

More seriously.. are these 4 "new to you" but used or repurposed laptops?


If so, and assuming there is no data on the you need, I would do a clean windows install on each, with whatever the latest version of Windows they will run.



If they will not support windows 11, and you do not have windows 10 ESU support, then I would also then do a dual boot Linux install, (eg ubtuntu, mint or similar), and use Linux for online activities/browsing etc, as these will at least recieve security updates.

They will probably be UEFI/secureboot, so this may be a little fiddly if installing OSs is new to you/you've not done dual boot installs.

If you want to run specific software (eg games etc), then you will need to install whatever OS they need.

Then set up user accounts, suitable authentication etc, access to WiFi networks as well.
Are you going overseas? May be worth installing a vpn client (eg nord, proton- they have free tiers of use- but do your research as there are "fake/malicious" vpn clients out there.




If on the otherhand, the above makes little sense to you, and I've written aload if wibble-
then either:
1) find someone local to help you
2) explain exactly what you have, and what you want to achieve with them. Ie
- what are the machines, existing, new, or 2nd hand
- what version of windows do they have.
-if not windows 11, what processor/CPU do they have?

- what do you want to do with the machines. Just webrowsing? Or more. If so what.
- who will use the machines? Are they for shared use, or one user per machine,?

Etc, and we can try our best to help :-)


Edited to add. If they are 4 existing machines for and used by your family already, and the question is about taking them on holiday with you:
- back up all the data on each
- make sure passwords/authentication is set.
- disc encryption if available is enabled
-make sure fully updated/patched
-ensure your AV (whether windows defender, or a 3rd party product) is upto date and functioning
-if you are not sure if wifi availability, consider setting up wifi hotspot on one if your phones, but make sure you have sufficient data allowance- especially if abroad. Windows updates can consume significant bandwidth.
- consider a vpn

Edited by HiAsAKite on Monday 25th May 06:00

[jbswagger]

Do they required as USB to plugged in to the laptop and