The first things to do with a new laptop include updating the operating system, securing your account with a strong password and two-factor authentication, and removing pre-installed bloatware. Getting these right from the start protects your device and gives you the best possible performance.
You Finally Have a New Laptop — Now What?
There is nothing quite like pulling a brand-new laptop out of the box. The smell of fresh plastic, the pristine screen, the satisfying click of the keyboard for the first time. I get it, I have been there more times than I can count.
But here is the thing most people miss: what you do in the first hour with a new laptop shapes how well it performs for the next three to five years.
I have helped hundreds of people set up new computers friends, family, and clients across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. And I have seen the same mistakes repeated again and again. People skip updates, ignore security settings, and wonder six months later why their $1,200 laptop feels sluggish and slow.
This guide covers everything you need to do with a new laptop in the right order, so your machine stays fast, safe, and truly yours from the very first day.
The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make With a New Laptop
Before we get into what to do, let me show you what trips people up most often. These are real pain points I hear about constantly.
Pain Point #1: Skipping System Updates
The problem: Most laptops ship with software that is weeks or even months out of date. That gap between manufacturing and the day you buy it means missed security patches, driver bugs, and performance issues that are already fixed just not on your machine yet.
Why it happens: Updates take time, and most people want to start using their new device immediately. Sitting through a 30-minute update feels like waiting at the DMV.
The fix: Run your updates first, before anything else. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates. On a Mac, head to System Settings > General > Software Update. Yes, it might restart your laptop twice. Do it anyway. Think of it as the foundation everything else is built on.
This is especially important if you purchased your laptop from a big-box retailer in the US (like Best Buy or Costco), a UK store like Currys, a Canadian outlet like Best Buy Canada, or JB Hi-Fi in Australia these retail channels can mean extra weeks in the supply chain.
Pain Point #2: Weak or No Password Protection
The problem: New laptops often come with a PIN that takes two seconds to guess, or no password at all. One lost laptop or one curious flatmate and your entire digital life is exposed.
Why it happens: Setup wizards push you to skip or rush through security steps. It feels overly cautious to lock down a brand-new machine.
The fix: Set a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Microsoft or Apple account immediately. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password makes this easy and free (or close to it). If your laptop has a fingerprint reader or Windows Hello facial recognition, set those up too — they are both convenient and secure.
Pain Point #3: Ignoring Pre-Installed Bloatware
The problem: Windows laptops in particular often come loaded with trial software, games, and manufacturer apps you will never use. This eats up storage, slows startup times, and some of it can interfere with your browser and settings.
Why it happens: Manufacturers get paid by software companies to pre-install these apps. It is perfectly legal just annoying.
The fix: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps on Windows and uninstall anything you do not recognise or need. On a Mac, this is less common, but check your Applications folder for anything that seems out of place. You can safely remove things like trial antivirus software, shopping apps, or manufacturer utilities you will never use.
What to Do First With a New Laptop: Step by Step
Step 1: Charge It Fully Before First Use
This one is quick. Plug your new laptop in and let it reach 100% before you do anything else. Modern lithium-ion batteries do not strictly need this, but it lets you calibrate the battery indicator and means you will not be scrambling for a charger mid-update.
While it charges, gather what you will need: your Wi-Fi password, your email login, and your Microsoft or Apple ID details.
Step 2: Connect to a Secure Wi-Fi Network
Do not set up your new laptop on public Wi-Fi. Cafés, airports, and hotel networks are not safe for initial setup. Use your home network or a trusted mobile hotspot.
If you are in the UK, Canada, Australia, or the US and using your ISP’s default router password, now is also a good time to change that. A secure home network is the foundation of safe computing.
Step 3: Run All System Updates
As I mentioned above, this is non-negotiable. Run updates before you install a single app or enter a single password.
On Windows, updates also include driver updates for your keyboard, trackpad, display, and Wi-Fi card. These can make a noticeable difference to how your laptop actually feels to use.
On Mac, App Store updates will also update any Apple apps that came pre-installed, like Pages, Numbers, and GarageBand.
Step 4: Set Up Your User Account Properly
This goes beyond just a password. Here is what a proper account setup looks like:
- Use a strong, unique password (12+ characters, mix of letters, numbers, symbols)
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID or Microsoft account
- Set up a recovery email or phone number
- If you share the laptop with family, create separate user accounts for each person — Windows and macOS both support this easily
“Security is not something you bolt on after the fact, it is something you build in from the beginning.” — Bruce Schneier, Security Technologist and Author of Data and Goliath
Step 5: Install a Password Manager
Most people use the same password everywhere. That is a security disaster waiting to happen. A password manager stores unique, complex passwords for every account you have and fills them in automatically.
Bitwarden is free, open-source, and excellent. 1Password costs around $3–5/month (USD, AUD, CAD, or GBP equivalent) and is slightly more polished. Both work on Windows and Mac, and on your phone too.
Set this up before you start logging into websites on your new machine. It will save you enormous frustration down the road.
Step 6: Choose Your Browser and Secure It
Your new laptop likely opens with Microsoft Edge or Safari by default. Neither is a bad choice, but you should make a conscious decision here rather than just going with the default.
Chrome, Firefox, and Brave are all popular alternatives. Whichever you pick, do the following:
- Set it as your default browser
- Install an ad blocker (uBlock Origin is free and highly effective)
- Sign in to sync your bookmarks if switching from another device
- Check the privacy settings, most browsers let you block third-party cookies and trackers
Step 7: Back Up From Day One
This is the step people regret skipping the most. I have spoken to people in Sydney, Toronto, London, and Chicago who lost years of photos and documents to a single hard drive failure or stolen laptop.
Set up automatic backups before you put a single file on this machine.
- Windows users: Enable OneDrive backup (Settings > System > OneDrive) or use an external hard drive with Windows Backup
- Mac users: Time Machine with an external drive, or iCloud Drive for important folders
The Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends maintaining at least one backup copy of important data, ideally stored separately from your main device.
Step 8: Install Your Essential Apps
Now and only now start installing the apps you actually use. Keep it lean at first. Every app you install slightly affects startup time and system resources.
Start with:
- Your browser of choice
- Your password manager
- A cloud storage client (Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive)
- Your communication tools (Slack, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp Desktop)
- Your productivity suite (Microsoft 365, or free alternatives like LibreOffice)
Avoid installing apps “just in case.” You can always add them later.
Step 9: Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Both Windows and macOS collect usage data by default. You have the right to limit this, and it takes about five minutes.
On Windows 11: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security and review each section — especially Diagnostics & Feedback, Activity History, and App Permissions.
On Mac: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and review Location Services, Microphone, Camera, and Analytics.
“The devices we own are increasingly the most intimate records of our lives. Understanding what data they collect is a basic act of digital self-care.” — Kashmir Hill, Technology Reporter and Author of Your Face Belongs to Us
Step 10: Register Your Warranty
This one takes two minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars, pounds, or dollars (CAD/AUD). Register your laptop with the manufacturer while it is fresh and you have the box nearby.
Most manufacturers Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, ASUS offer an online registration portal. Australian consumer law, UK consumer rights, and US/Canadian warranty protections all work best when you have a clear ownership record. It also makes tech support much easier if you ever need it.
One More Thing: Personalise Your Setup
Once the practical steps are done, take a few minutes to make the laptop feel like yours.
- Adjust your display brightness and night mode settings
- Set your preferred screensaver and wallpaper
- Configure notifications so only what matters gets through
- Adjust trackpad sensitivity this alone makes a huge difference to daily comfort
- Set your preferred language, date format, and regional settings (US, UK, Canadian, or Australian formats all differ slightly)
“Personalisation is not vanity. A well-configured workspace digital or physical reduces cognitive friction and helps you do your best thinking.” — Cal Newport, Professor and Author of Deep Work
Frequently Asked Questions on First Things to Do With a New Laptop
What should I do first when I get a new laptop?
The very first thing to do is charge your laptop fully, then run all available system updates before doing anything else. Updates patch security vulnerabilities and install the latest drivers, giving you the best possible foundation. Do not skip this step even if it takes time.
Do I need antivirus software on a new laptop?
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender, which is now genuinely good and free. For most home users, it is enough especially if combined with an ad blocker and safe browsing habits. Mac users face fewer threats but are not immune; Malwarebytes offers a free Mac version worth considering. You do not need to buy expensive third-party antivirus straight away.
Should I remove bloatware from a new Windows laptop?
Yes, removing pre-installed software you do not need is one of the most effective ways to speed up your new laptop’s startup time and free up storage. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and uninstall trial software, manufacturer utilities, and promotional apps. When in doubt, search the app name first some utilities are actually useful.
How do I back up my new laptop?
On Windows, enable OneDrive folder backup through Settings, or connect an external hard drive and set up Windows Backup. On Mac, plug in an external drive and let Time Machine configure automatically. For important documents, a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox adds an extra layer of protection. Set this up before you start saving anything important.
How long does it take to fully set up a new laptop?
Realistically, expect one to two hours for a thorough setup including updates, account setup, browser configuration, essential apps, and privacy settings. Rushing through this takes 20 minutes but leaves gaps you will notice later. Invest the time upfront. Your future self will thank you.
Wrapping Up: Your New Laptop, Done Right
Getting a new laptop is exciting but the first hour you spend with it matters more than most people realise.
Here are the three most important things to take away from this guide:
- Update first, everything else second. System updates are not optional. They are the foundation your secure, fast setup is built on.
- Security is a setup task, not an afterthought. A password manager, strong account credentials, and two-factor authentication protect years of work, photos, and personal data. Set them up from day one.
- Back up before you put anything on it. Whether you are in Melbourne, Manchester, Montreal, or Miami — drives fail, laptops get stolen, and accidents happen. A backup costs you 10 minutes to set up and can save you everything.
Your new laptop is a tool. How well it serves you depends almost entirely on how well you set it up. You have got this now go enjoy it.
“Electronics aren’t just gadgets. They’re the invisible threads that connect our work, our play, and our world.”
I’m Julian Reed, and my obsession with tech started at age twelve, when I soldered a defunct gaming console back to life in my bedroom. That tiny green screen taught me that technology isn’t just a black box, it’s a tool you can master.
After fifteen years as a hardware engineer and a decade reviewing consumer tech, I’ve joined this team to cut through the jargon. Whether you’re building a high-end home theater or just need a laptop that won’t lag, I’m here to help you choose the gear that truly powers your life.
