• How do you install and patch your new computer?

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    #2550899

    PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley I’m doing something vastly different this week. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that this article is a bit shorter than
    [See the full post at: How do you install and patch your new computer?]

    Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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    • #2550936

      If you use a Microsoft account and set a password, document it by writing it down along with your reminder question. If you answer these questions without being truthful, it may be harder to reset the password at a later date. (I can’t tell you how many times during setup I have forgotten a password, only to have to start over again.)

      “reminder question” is a confusing term.

      For a Microsoft account, there is no reminder or question.

      For a local account, there are three security questions and answers.

      Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

    • #2550956

      Also, the password is not the PIN.

      The password is set up when you create the account. It is the key to logging in to your account if you have a Microsoft account. Remember it because…..

      You create a PIN to use logging in to your computer. You get used to using a PIN for logging in. It is local to your computer and is not the key to logging in to your MS account. If you need to access your MS account, you will need your password.

      1 user thanked author for this post.
      • #2550972

        You can sign in to a Microsoft Account with a PIN:

        What is Windows Hello?

        Windows Hello is a more personal way to sign in, using your face, fingerprint, or a PIN. You can use Windows Hello to sign in to your device on the lock screen and sign in to your account on the web.

        Sign in to your Microsoft account with Windows Hello or a security key

        You can even dispense with the password:

        How to go passwordless with your Microsoft Account

        But until three years ago you couldn’t access Safe Mode using a PIN:

        PIN support will go live in Windows 10 20H1 feature update

        How to Use a PIN in Windows 10 Safe Mode

        Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

        1 user thanked author for this post.
        • #2551256

          Technology moves faster than documentation.

          On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
          offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
          offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
          online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender
          • #2551272

            Technology moves faster than documentation.

            I don’t understand the relevance of that statement in this context.

            Could you explain?

            Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

            • #2551298

              You may have had documentation that was valid for an earlier version of software. The software was updated; however, the earlier documentation remains in place.

              Realistically, documentation is usually the last step in any software process.

              On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
              offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
              offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
              online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender
            • #2551299

              And the relevance to my post to which you replied?

              Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

    • #2550962

      Hi Susan,

      As always your detailed explanation is quite clear and useful.

      Please consider to add something like BEWARE OF OneDrive to your “Windows 11 Setup Tips for Consumers”.

      If you accidentaly activate it as I did setting up my new DELL PC, the program/service will modify the directories on your User setup in a way that is difficult to reset.

      Best regards,

      Jorge

      2 users thanked author for this post.
    • #2550991

      I’ll apologize for this long post now. Rather than post a bunch of disconnected paragraphs I just copied Susan’s post and annotated in bold where I did something differently. Please note these are just MY OPINIONS!

      Moderator Susan here:  Note the copyright.  I have removed the contents of the post and just left Bruce’s comments.
      ——————————

      Windows 10 Setup Tips for Consumers
      Susan Bradley, April 2023

      Don’t worry about this as I don’t connect it to the internet until I have the basic setup completed. Yep, setting up a LOCAL account. The above is step 1b. Step 1a is inserting a USB Macrium Reflect Boot disk and USB Storage (HDD or SSD) drive before I turn it on and then booting using Reflect to take a full image BEFORE it is setup. Makes it much easier to return the device if necessary or even when passing it on to someone else down the road.

      While you’re at it after deleting the trial stuff, and making sure you have COMPLETELY removed it, check Windows Defender’s settings. Especially, running it in the SandBox and checking for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs)

      A big fan of StartAllBack (paid) or Open Shell (free). In conjunction with those I also set up a toolbar in the Notification Area to give me access to all my most used stuff (it’s a lot!)
      BEKTBImage

      I’m still not connected to the internet. Load the GRC tool from a USB Stick, or use GPO if running PRO. Also set Windows update to Pause updates for 28 days!
      At this point I also take steps to remove Documents, Videos, Music, Downloads, etc. to a different drive (In my case a physical one) partition which I always label G, a holdover from the setups in my working days). This is done with the Location tab on the folder properties in File Explorer.
      I’d recommend another Image backup at this point. Now you can safely connect to the internet.

      IMHO, a Microsoft 365 (Office) Home account is the best deal going. You actually get 6 users with 1Tb of OneDrive each. If you’re a heavy Excel or Word user it’s worth the money for you alone, not to mention other family members. Keep an eye on Amazon around Christmas and you can extend your license for effectively $50 USD since Amazon gives you a $50 gift card with the license! I usually keep my subscription out for 2 years just in case I miss a deal at Christmas.

      Here is where PowerShell comes in very handy. I’ve written a program that not only allows me to change many common registry settings via a menu interface, but it also saves those settings to a file. I can transfer that file from one computer to another and run the program ant it will set all of my usual settings automatically insuring I have things the way I like them. I’m currently working on another powershell program to automatically install my standard software via the Winget package management systems. Keeping with this trend I also have powershell to export all my Scheduled Tasks and load them on another computer. These three programs make it much easier to keep my 3 computers in sync.

      An Image backup of your previous computer can be MOUNTED as a drive to easily extract things you missed, at least if you’re using Macrium Reflect. Probably, also with other backup programs but I’m not familiar with them. So there’s no need to mess with VMs in the next item.
      Don’t discard or pass that old drive. Instead get a USB drive dock. These are available for about $30 USD and can mount 3.5” & 2.5” inch drives. Bingo you have a new drive for Image Backups which you WILL take on a regular basis! If your old drive is an NVME M.2 drive you can get an enclosure for that too and make a supersize USB Stick or another drive for Images.

      Here’s where the moving of those folders out of the C: partition (Step 11 comments above) I can simply restore them from the Image backup of that partition.

      IMHO a driver which works should be left well enough alone! Only download drivers when they don’t work.

      Thanks for your understanding that this is meant to be a benefit for supporters of the site.

      May the Forces of good computing be with you!

      RG

      PowerShell & VBA Rule!
      Computer Specs

      1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2551011

      Thanks, Susan, for these detailed setup guides. Lots of great ideas in there.

      One thing I noticed you didn’t mention is what to do if you have Bitlocker-encrypted files or folders on the old PC. I assume that if you just copy those files to the new PC, they will no longer be readable, as Bitlocker is tied to your hardware.

      In this situation, is it best to just decrypt your data before copying it to the new PC, and then re-encrypting it once it’s on the new PC? Or should you just leave them encrypted and use your backed up recovery key on the new PC?

      • #2551033

        I was assuming Home sku not Pro.  I’ll be discussing bitlocker when I do the Pro setup.

        Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

      • #2551034

        P.S. if the workstation is up and running, you can copy the files to your new computer.  They are only encrypted if the computer is turned off.

        Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

    • #2551030

      With Windows 11 home it wants to be connected to the Internet.  11 Pro you can get away with it not being connected.  11 Home you may be able to hook it to a router that has a bogus DNS entry but in my testing on 11 22H2 it wanted an Internet connection.

      Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

    • #2551053

      I don’t buy new computers, I buy new components and DIY new computer replacements.

      Then I do this.

      Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!
      We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

      1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2551061

      I refer to para 13 of your excellent Windows Consumer setup article where you say that you don’t recommend upgrading from Home to Pro because it is difficult to find legitimate sites. When I bought my Dell desktop 3 years ago the promotion I used only offered Windows Home. I bought it and after setup simply went to the Microsoft store and purchased the upgrade which was installed instantly and without issue. I do have one question though. When I replace my computer can I buy only Windows Home and use the key from my old computer (which I extracted from the Registry and have kept)? If so, how do I do this? I am happy to remove it from my old computer but don’t know how.

      • #2551074

        You can move retail Pro license to new computer.
        If you bought the Pro license from Microsoft you did get notice/mail of the key.. with your purchase so no need to extract.. your license from Windows OS.

        • #2551107

          Thanks Alex 5723 but my email does not have the license (nor does my Microsoft account although it shows the purchase); the email only has what looks like a QR code attached named OrderQuickResponseCode.gif (which seems to actually be a .png file!!). I don’t remember how I got the actual code to insert in the computer at the time but extracted it from the Registry where I got two keys, one of which I am guessing was the Home key and the other the Pro key, though I don’t know which is which.

          • #2551109

            Just realised one of the keys I found is the generic upgrade key in case I reinstalled Windows. As the other key is certainly the original Home key I am at a loss to know how to transfer the Pro key to another computer.

            • #2551123

              I am at a loss to know how to transfer the Pro key to another computer.

              Microsoft will activate Pro on a transfer installation if it’s the correct key, and if the previous installation is not active.  You won’t have to do anything.

              When I did my hardware upgrade about nine months ago, Windows 11 Pro activated without issue.

              Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!
              We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

              1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2551128

      Susan – Your article is most fortuitous for me. I have two Dell XPSs laptops (XPS 15 and XPS 17). The 15 is going to use on a docking station and replace one of my Home Built Towers and the other is a new one to relace the 15 on the dock.

      Going from DOS 3 up to Windows 7 never seemed to be a problem. Now Ihave to look for all of the advice, suggestions and guidence I can get to update and transfer. I started with Byte and Fred Langa, PC Mgazine, Windows Magazine, etc., handwriting code.

      Between your PDF for Win 10 and the replies to this Forum piece, I should be able to get the jobs done much easier.

      Thank you and all of your readers.

      Jimmy Lightfoot (WSlitehorse)

    • #2551839

      Just wanted to say thanks for these really useful guides. My wife has just got a new W11 laptop, so I followed the guide to get it all setup. (My first experience with W11 by the way.)

      Only one glitch (downloaded error in Windows Update), which was nothing to do with the guide of course.

      I’ve filed them away for next time.

      Thanks again.

    • #2552382

      Hello Susan,

      Great article with precise step-by-step instructions. I do have one question. In the past Woody always advised to avoid the optional updates. Is this still recommended for setting up a new Windows 10 Pro system?

      As always, thank you for the great work you and the staff provide. Looking forward to your kind reply,

      Rudy Leder

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