Whether you've just bought a new laptop to replace an old one, or upgraded to treat yourself, there are some things you should do right away when you get a new laptop. Some small investments in time now will help ensure the best experience down the road.
Here's what to do after buying a new laptop, no matter which OS it runs.
1. Update the Operating System
Whether you bought your laptop from a brick-and-mortar store or online, it likely sat around for several months after leaving the factory. One of the first things to do with a new laptop, then, is to install any existing OS updates.
This gets you the latest features and makes sure your system is secure. It's important to do first so that if the update adds new features, you can configure them during the setup process.
To check for OS updates, perform the following:
- On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. You may need to restart to install some updates. Windows will automatically download and install updates in the future.
- If you have a Mac, click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner and choose System Preferences > Software Update.
- If you're on macOS High Sierra or older, you'll need to visit the App Store to check for updates. Search for "macOS" on the App Store to download the latest version.
- On Linux, how to update depends on your distro. You may find an option to update in the system settings, or have to run updates manually. See how to update common Linux distros for more help.
- Chrome OS handles all updates behind the scenes. As long as you're connected to Wi-Fi, Chrome OS checks for updates and downloads any that it finds. If you want, you can check for updates manually by clicking the menu in the bottom-right, followed by Settings and hitting About Chrome OS on the bottom of the left panel. Choose Check for updates. To install them, all you have to do is restart your device.
2. Remove Any Bloatware
Bloatware is unwanted or unnecessary software that comes pre-installed on your operating system. These apps are often useless, plus they waste drive space and system resources. Windows laptop manufacturers are notorious for this, whereas bloatware is rarely a concern on Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS laptops.
Follow our guide to removing bloatware in Windows 10 to delete junk you don't need. If you're not sure whether a program is important, search for it on Google or Should I Remove It? to see what others think.
3. Review Antivirus Software
Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Defender built-in, which is good enough for most people. If you want some extra protection, you can pair it with other strong computer security tools.
Mac and Linux machines don't include an antivirus program out of the box. Careful browsing and a bit of common sense should protect you on both of these platforms, but you can install Mac antivirus software or an antivirus for Linux for additional security.
Meanwhile, Chromebooks have built-in malware protection, so you don't need anything special on that platform. There are Chrome extensions that can increase your security, though.
4. Configure Anti-Theft Tools
Next on the checklist of what to do with a new laptop is protecting your device from theft. If someone stole your computer (or you lost it), you'd not be without your device, but potentially all the data on it. It's vital to have measures in place to increase the possibility of getting it back.
Windows 10 includes a built-in feature called Find My Device, located at Settings > Update & Security > Find my device. Make sure you turn this on so you can locate your laptop through your Microsoft account is necessary.
For the similar feature of macOS, visit Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID and select iCloud from the sidebar. Here, make sure you have Find My Mac enabled. If you see a Details button next to it, click this and make sure you've allowed the function to access location services on your Mac.
Both of these tools allow you to locate your laptop from another device logged into your Microsoft or Apple account.
If you have a Chromebook, you can locate lost devices by heading to the Security section of your Google account settings and clicking Find a lost device under Your devices. For another option (which also works with Linux machines), check out Prey. It lets you track up to three devices on the free plan.
See section #6 below, which covers backups, for another important way to protect your digital property from theft.
5. Optimize Your Laptop's Power Settings
Since laptops are all about portability, maximizing battery life should be a priority. A few simple tweaks can result in a difference of hours between charges, so optimizing the power preferences is an important step with a new laptop.
The most important change is to reduce the display brightness, as keeping the screen extremely bright is one of the biggest factors in battery drain. However, making it too dim could cause eye fatigue, so test out some levels to find a comfortable balance between the extremes.
You can tweak Windows 10 power plans for improved battery life at Settings > System > Power & sleep. There, click Additional power settings on the right sidebar; expand the window horizontally if you don't see it initially.
We've also looked at how to improve battery life on a Mac. Most of these settings are accessible at System Preferences > Battery (or Energy Saver on macOS Catalina and older). For Linux, see how to check your Linux laptop's battery health.
Otherwise, try to avoid using resource-heavy apps when possible. Chrome is a notorious battery hog, so you'll get better battery life with Safari, Edge, Opera, or another alternative browser.
6. Configure Automated Backups
Before long, your laptop will be full of documents, projects, photos, and all kinds of other personal data. What happens if it suddenly stops working or you drop it? You'd lose all that data, which is a terrible fate.
Don't let that happen: set up a backup plan on your laptop right now to protect your data.
Follow our Windows 10 data cloud backup guide if you use that platform. We've explained how to back up your Mac, and there are a number of backup utilities for Linux to save your data.
On a Chromebook, anything stored in Google Drive is accessible from your Google account. You can also back up to an external drive, such as a USB flash drive.
7. Set Up Cloud Storage Syncing
You're nearly done, but there are still more things to do on your new laptop! In addition to a proper backup, setting up cloud storage will make your life easier if you work on multiple devices.
Cloud storage services, like Dropbox and Google Drive, sync anything you place inside them to the company's servers. You can then access those files from any device where you're also signed in. That means you can easily grab a file you were editing on your desktop while you're out working on your laptop.
Whether you use it as a layer of backup or to avoid moving files around with flash drives, cloud storage is essential for today's computing. Check out the best free cloud storage providers to get started, or consider some cheap cloud storage services if you need more space.
8. Minimize the Risk of Heat Damage
Laptops are usually more susceptible to heat than other types of machines. Desktop cases are large enough for good ventilation, and tablets don't have to worry much about dust buildup. Meanwhile, many laptops have poor air circulation and lots of spots for dust to accumulate, plus it's easier to put them in heat-building situations.
Over time, a lack of ventilation plus dust buildups results in excess heat. This damage can cause your CPU to under-perform in an effort to produce less heat, which means slower system performance. Excess heat can also shorten internal storage drive lifespans and cause the battery to lose charging capacity prematurely.
Here are a few preventative measures to keep in mind regarding laptop heat:
- If at all possible, don't use your laptop on carpet, bedding, a couch, or even in your lap if that obstructs the vents. Place it on a hard, flat surface to minimize dust intake and allow air to flow.
- Every so often, clean your laptop as best you can to remove dust.
- Know what PC operating temperatures are safe. If you feel the system getting too hot, shut down intensive apps.
9. Customize System Settings
Now that all the maintenance-related tasks on your new laptop checklist are out of the way, it's time to make the laptop your own. This is the time to tweak the system theme, desktop wallpaper, taskbar layout, and other personalization options.
If you need some ideas, check out these resources:
- See how to change the look and feel of your Windows 10 desktop.
- Learn how to personalize and customize your Mac, including its icons, wallpapers, and the Dock.
- Review ideas on how to make a Linux desktop look fantastic.
10. Install Your Favorite Apps
Now that your laptop is looking fresh, it's time to install all the apps you need. Depending on your OS, you might find these on the Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, Chrome Web Store, or a repository of Linux apps. Many apps are only available to download from the developer's website, however.
To install many popular Windows apps in one bundle, take a look at Ninite. This allows you to check all the apps you want to use and install them without clicking through dialog boxes or worrying about bundled junk. Mac users can try the similar macapps.link.
Not sure what to install? Here's are some lists to get you started:
- Must-have apps for new Windows systems
- The best Mac apps
- Ubuntu apps to install right away
- The best Android apps to use on your Chromebook
11. Start Using a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) may sound confusing if you're not familiar with the idea, but using one is simple. In most cases, you just download and run an app, then sign in with your account. The app encrypts your network connection, giving you more protection against eavesdroppers, allowing you to access region-blocked content, and making it harder to trace web activity back to you.
See our introduction to VPNs for more important info. Afterward, we recommend signing up for one of the best VPN services to protect your browsing on any platform. If you're not sure, go with ExpressVPN—you can get three months free using our special link.
The Most Important Things to Do With a New Laptop
Now you know what to do when you get a new laptop. This preparation takes a bit of time to do correctly, but will make your time with the laptop smoother and hopefully increase the lifespan of your machine, too.
As you use your laptop, make sure you don't make common mistakes that can damage it.