When you first unbox your new Windows 11 machine—or give your trusted device a fresh start—the out-of-box experience is designed to be a breeze. However, as many seasoned users know, getting past the initial setup is just the beginning. There are several tweaks you can make to fine-tune security, streamline performance, and eliminate everyday annoyances. Drawing on insights originally detailed by a ZDNet article, here are six essential steps you should consider right after setting up Windows 11.
Why It Matters:
While Windows 11 offers you the option between a local account and a Microsoft account, opting for the latter is a security win. Windows 11 is built in an age where multi-factor authentication isn't just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Summary: Using a Microsoft account not only solidifies your system's defenses but also offers invaluable convenience for data recovery and cloud services, making it a foundation for a secure Windows experience.
New installations of Windows 11 come with a host of shortcuts scattered across your Start menu. While these shortcuts can sometimes be useful, many are pre-installed third-party apps designed to promote streaming services, social media, and games. They’re more about advertising than utility.
Summary: Cleaning up the Start menu removes unwanted clutter and distractions. By eliminating unused shortcuts, you tailor your PC to reflect only what matters for your productivity.
Sometimes curiosity leads us to explore unfamiliar apps or risky websites. Windows Sandbox provides a secure, isolated environment where you can safely run and test software without risking your main system. This feature is a boon for users of Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
Summary: Activating Windows Sandbox enhances your system's security by allowing risk-free testing of applications and websites. It’s an elegant solution to experience experimental setups without compromise.
Windows 11’s Start menu is a radical departure from previous iterations, offering a cleaner yet less customizable experience by default. With a few tweaks, you can balance aesthetics with functionality.
Summary: Customizing the Start menu helps create an environment that is both efficient and personally tailored. Adjusting layout and design doesn’t just serve aesthetics—it enhances usability and daily workflow efficiency.
The taskbar is the nerve center of your Windows experience, yet with each new release, additional icons and widgets clutter up this crucial space. Microsoft often includes items like a search button, Task View, widgets, and even the Copilot AI, which may not be necessary for every user.
Summary: Tailoring the taskbar by removing unnecessary widgets and shortcuts leads to a minimalist and efficient workspace. This not only improves aesthetics but can also enhance your system’s performance.
Encryption is one of the best defenses against data breaches. Windows 11 secures your system drive with BitLocker encryption, but if you forget your password or encounter a system failure, you could be locked out of your own data.
Summary: Backing up your BitLocker encryption key is a non-negotiable step in protecting your digital assets. This simple precaution can prevent catastrophic data loss and ensure quicker recovery in times of need.
In essence:
So, next time you set up Windows 11, remember that the initial setup is just the start. With a few savvy tweaks, you can unlock the full potential of your system, combining ease-of-use with robust security. Isn’t it time your PC worked as hard as you do?
Source: ZDNet 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 - and why you should too
Why It Matters:While Windows 11 offers you the option between a local account and a Microsoft account, opting for the latter is a security win. Windows 11 is built in an age where multi-factor authentication isn't just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
- Enhanced Authentication: Using a Microsoft account enables features such as Windows Hello and two-factor authentication. Whether you’re using fingerprint recognition or face ID, having these extra layers of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
- System Drive Protection: With a Microsoft account, you can easily secure your system drive with robust encryption. Even on Windows 11 Home, encryption is available. Simply navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption to verify that your drive is protected.
- Account Recovery: In today's fast-paced world, forgetting a password is more common than we might like. A Microsoft account offers built-in recovery tools, meaning you won’t lose precious data if your login credentials slip your mind.
- Seamless Integration with Cloud Services: If you invest in a Microsoft 365 subscription, your account ties in directly with Office apps and one terabyte of cloud storage—an excellent bonus for both productivity and data backup.
Summary: Using a Microsoft account not only solidifies your system's defenses but also offers invaluable convenience for data recovery and cloud services, making it a foundation for a secure Windows experience.
2. Declutter That Start Menu: Remove Unwanted Shortcuts
Why It Matters:New installations of Windows 11 come with a host of shortcuts scattered across your Start menu. While these shortcuts can sometimes be useful, many are pre-installed third-party apps designed to promote streaming services, social media, and games. They’re more about advertising than utility.
- Identify the Unwanted: Look for those icons featuring services like Spotify, Disney+, TikTok, or other non-essential apps. These shortcuts are typically found in the “Recommended” section.
- Quick and Easy Removal: For every shortcut that doesn't serve your needs, a simple right-click provides the option to remove it. For those in the Pinned section, select Uninstall (yes, even if they’re not actually installed) to clear out clutter.
Summary: Cleaning up the Start menu removes unwanted clutter and distractions. By eliminating unused shortcuts, you tailor your PC to reflect only what matters for your productivity.
3. Activate Windows Sandbox for Safe Testing
Why It Matters:Sometimes curiosity leads us to explore unfamiliar apps or risky websites. Windows Sandbox provides a secure, isolated environment where you can safely run and test software without risking your main system. This feature is a boon for users of Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
- Instant Virtualization: Unlike traditional virtual machines, Windows Sandbox is lightweight and requires minimal setup. It operates in complete isolation, so any software you run within it leaves no trace on your primary operating system.
- Risk-Free Experimentation: Whether you’re testing a mysterious program or checking out a dubious website, Windows Sandbox lets you explore potential threats in a secure bubble. When you close the Sandbox, everything vanishes as if it were never there.
- Minimal Resource Usage: Although it leverages the same underlying technology as Hyper-V, enabling Sandbox doesn’t require you to enable Hyper-V globally, preserving system resources for everyday tasks.
Summary: Activating Windows Sandbox enhances your system's security by allowing risk-free testing of applications and websites. It’s an elegant solution to experience experimental setups without compromise.
4. Personalize and Simplify the Start Menu
Why It Matters:Windows 11’s Start menu is a radical departure from previous iterations, offering a cleaner yet less customizable experience by default. With a few tweaks, you can balance aesthetics with functionality.
- Customize Pinned Versus Recommended: Head over to Settings > Personalization > Start. Adjust the visible areas by managing how much space is given to pinned apps versus recent recommendations.
- Add Essential Folders: You can insert shortcuts to frequently used folders along the bottom of the Start menu. This is especially handy if you’re constantly accessing directories like Documents or Downloads without the extra step of opening File Explorer.
- Tweak Dark Mode: Beyond organizational improvements, setting up dark mode can reduce eye strain—ideal for those long coding sessions or late-night document editing.
Summary: Customizing the Start menu helps create an environment that is both efficient and personally tailored. Adjusting layout and design doesn’t just serve aesthetics—it enhances usability and daily workflow efficiency.
5. Streamline the Taskbar by Removing Unwanted Items
Why It Matters:The taskbar is the nerve center of your Windows experience, yet with each new release, additional icons and widgets clutter up this crucial space. Microsoft often includes items like a search button, Task View, widgets, and even the Copilot AI, which may not be necessary for every user.
- Control Your Interface: Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to adjust which items are displayed. The switches for the search button, Task View, and widgets allow you to hide elements that create digital clutter.
- Optimize Multi-Monitor Setups: If you’re using multiple displays, fine-tuning taskbar behavior across screens can improve your overall efficiency. Under “Taskbar behaviors,” you’ll find settings that let you decide how the interface behaves on your other monitors.
- Pin Only What’s Essential: It’s sometimes best to unpin items you rarely use. Reducing the number of icons not only streamlines the taskbar but can also enhance system responsiveness and clarity.
Summary: Tailoring the taskbar by removing unnecessary widgets and shortcuts leads to a minimalist and efficient workspace. This not only improves aesthetics but can also enhance your system’s performance.
6. Back Up Your BitLocker Encryption Key
Why It Matters:Encryption is one of the best defenses against data breaches. Windows 11 secures your system drive with BitLocker encryption, but if you forget your password or encounter a system failure, you could be locked out of your own data.
- Critical Backup: Whether or not you use a Microsoft account, ensuring you have a backup of your BitLocker key is essential. For users with a Microsoft account, the recovery key is automatically saved to your account profile. If not, follow the instructions to manually save and secure your 48-digit key.
- Accessing Recovery: In case of an emergency or a forgetful moment, having this key easily accessible (yet secure) can save you from potential data loss or expensive recovery procedures.
- Follow Best Practices: Visit your security settings (or the Microsoft recovery key platform) to locate and print or digitally store the key in a secure location. This is especially important if you have secondary drives encrypted as well.
Summary: Backing up your BitLocker encryption key is a non-negotiable step in protecting your digital assets. This simple precaution can prevent catastrophic data loss and ensure quicker recovery in times of need.
Wrapping It Up
After Windows 11 initial setup, these six adjustments serve as a crucial checklist for those who not only want a smoother workflow but also prioritize security and efficiency. From choosing the right account type to configuring advanced features like Windows Sandbox, each tweak plays a role in crafting a computer that’s tailored specifically to your needs.In essence:
- Security First: Choose a Microsoft account for enhanced security features and seamless data recovery.
- Declutter Your Interface: Remove unnecessary shortcuts and widgets from your Start menu and taskbar to minimize distraction.
- Experiment Safely: Use Windows Sandbox to risk-free test applications and websites.
- Personalize Your Environment: Customize the Start menu to suit your workflow.
- Prepare for Emergencies: Ensure that your BitLocker recovery key is securely backed up.
So, next time you set up Windows 11, remember that the initial setup is just the start. With a few savvy tweaks, you can unlock the full potential of your system, combining ease-of-use with robust security. Isn’t it time your PC worked as hard as you do?
Source: ZDNet 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 - and why you should too
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