| When you get a new computer, there are some | | | | aggravation later, when these programs start bugging |
| important things you should do to give it a good, safe | | | | you to update them or switch to a full "paid" version. |
| start. Setting up and configuring your new PC correctly | | | | 5. Install any programs you have - Now is the time to |
| from the start will help ensure you get many years of | | | | install any software you presently own, and want to |
| satisfaction from it. | | | | use on your new computer. After installing, it's a good |
| After unpacking it and cranking your new Windows | | | | idea to check and see if any updates are needed. Just |
| computer up for the first time, you will likely be greeted | | | | go to the vendors website and look for "downloads". |
| with a "wizard" that will walk you through some basic | | | | Find your product and see if there are any updates |
| configuration settings. You'll be guided through setting | | | | available. Download and install. |
| up a user name and password, configuration of | | | | 6. Download and install helpful utilities and applications - |
| automatic updates, and some basic security settings | | | | Some commonly used applications you might need are |
| like turning on Windows firewall. After doing these | | | | Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple Quick Time, |
| things, you're up and running; but you'll still want to take | | | | Macromedia Flash Player, and an unzipping utility such |
| care of a few things on your own. | | | | as WinZip. Go directly to the vendors website and |
| Below are the steps I take when setting up a new | | | | download/install these applications. Be careful about |
| computer. Follow these tips and you'll have a secure | | | | allowing the installation of additional "toolbars" and |
| PC that's ready to serve you well for years. | | | | "search utilities" though. Many of these application |
| | | | types are known as a source of spyware and irritating |
| 1. Configure your security software and install updates | | | | adware. |
| - Once Windows is up and running, the first thing you | | | | 7. Avoid downloading any file sharing "P2P" applications |
| should do is open your computer security software | | | | - If at all possible, never download and install common |
| and configure/install updates. New viruses and | | | | file sharing applications like Kazaa, Limewire, |
| spyware are introduced onto the net every day, and | | | | BearShare, etc... Using these applications can get you in |
| you need to make sure you have the most recent | | | | trouble for sharing illegal/pirated material and are also |
| protection possible. Set your security software to | | | | known to pose a huge personal security risk. P2P |
| check for updates on a daily basis. | | | | applications themselves are not infested with |
| 2. Install every available Windows update - Don't wait | | | | dangerous spyware, but the applications that must be |
| for "automatic updates" to take care of you. By | | | | installed in order to allow services like Kazaa and |
| downloading and installing all of the possible updates | | | | Morpheus to run are loaded with spyware that can |
| before jumping into surfing the web, you'll add a lot | | | | steal your identity and personal information. |
| more protection to your PC, which will help you avoid | | | | 8. Clean up your hard drive - Now that you're new PC |
| problems caused by spyware and Trojans that are | | | | is up to date and fully installed, and you've removed all |
| designed to take advantage of "unpatched" | | | | the "junk" applications, you should clean up all the old |
| computers. | | | | and temporary files that are no longer needed. Click on |
| 3. If using Microsoft Office, install all the Office updates. | | | | Start, then Programs > Accessories > System |
| Go to the Microsoft Office Update site and click the | | | | Tools. Select "Clean up Drive C, and your PC will rid |
| button that says "Check for Microsoft Office Updates", | | | | itself of all it's "bloat". |
| check "yes" to allow Microsoft to install applications | | | | 9. Defragment your hard drive - Also located among |
| and scan your system, and you're on your way. | | | | the Windows System Tools is a disk defragmenter. |
| 4. Uninstall any programs you don't need - Go into | | | | This will reconcile all the files on your hard drive and |
| Windows control panel and then to Add and Remove | | | | rearrange them in order to make your hard drive run |
| Programs. Look for any applications that came | | | | more efficiently. It may take a little while for Windows |
| preinstalled on your computer that you don't want, and | | | | defragmenter to complete this task, depending on how |
| click "uninstall" to safely remove them. Most new | | | | large your hard drive is. Just let it run until complete, and |
| computers come with a lot of "trial" software and | | | | your computer will run faster. Perform "Disk Cleanup" |
| internet service software (like AOL or Earthlink) that | | | | and "Defragmenter" activities every couple of months |
| you won't ever use. Removing all the unwanted | | | | to keep your new computer performing at its best. |
| programs now will free up disk space and eliminate | | | | |