I Can’t Use a New Windows Computer Until I Change These 9 Settings

Liberfi

Getting a new Windows computer is undeniably exciting. However, before I truly dive in and start exploring, there are a few key settings I always adjust to optimize performance, enhance privacy, and personalize the experience.

1

Turn On Clipboard History

By default, Windows only remembers the last thing it copies. That’s fine for basic use, but for someone like me who often juggles multiple tasks—like writing, researching, or coding—it’s incredibly limiting. That’s why one of the first settings I enable on my new Windows computer is Clipboard History.

With this feature, Windows keeps track of the last 25 items I’ve copied, whether text or images. At any time, I can press Windows + V to open the clipboard manager and choose from a list of copied items. This feature has saved me countless hours of searching for that link or snippet of text I thought I had lost.

What I like most is the ability to sync clipboard items across devices and pin frequently used content for easy access.

Clipboard history pin option highlighted in Windows 11 clipboard app

2

Change Default Apps

I’ll be honest: most of the default apps on Windows work fine for me. However, I can’t say the same for every default app. Before I get started, I like to change the default browser from Edge to Chrome. Since I use Chrome on my phone as well, it makes syncing my browsing data across devices much easier.

Another default app I like to change is the media player. I prefer using a VLC media player because it’s far more versatile and supports a wider range of file formats. Fortunately, Windows makes it easy to change default apps, so the process doesn’t take long.

Windows 11 settings app showing default apps menu-1

3

Remove Bloatware

Whether it’s a new phone or laptop, uninstalling pre-installed apps is something that I never forget to do. On Windows machines, it’s not just Microsoft that installs bloatware; manufacturers often add their own suite of unnecessary software as well.

While some of these apps can be useful, most of them are designed to promote a brand or push subscriptions to things I don’t need (looking at you, antivirus trials).

The problem is that these apps don’t just take up space—some of them also run in the background, consuming system resources, draining battery life, and ultimately affecting the computer’s performance. To avoid this, I always make sure to uninstall any bloatware from my Windows laptop.

4

Monitor Startup Apps

I also like to monitor and control which apps are configured to run at startup on Windows. While some apps—like cloud storage services or security apps—are essential, many others can be safely disabled.

For instance, I don’t need Spotify, Microsoft Teams, or Steam to start automatically whenever I boot up my computer. These programs can wait until I choose to open them.

Having too many apps running at startup not only slows down the boot process but also consumes unnecessary system resources.

That’s why, after installing the necessary apps on my new Windows PC, I review the list of startup apps and disable anything that’s not crucial to my workflow. If I encounter an app I don’t recognize, I do a quick online search to understand its purpose.

Startup Apps Tab in Windows 11 Task Manager

5

Manage Privacy Settings

By default, Windows collects a significant amount of data to “improve” the user experience. However, I’m not a fan of handing over too much personal information, so I like to take control and adjust the privacy settings.

For instance, Windows is set to collect diagnostic data right out of the box. This includes information about my app usage, system performance, and even the way I interact with various features. Additionally, I’m not fond of how Microsoft uses ad tracking data to deliver personalized ads.

Diagnostics menu in Windows 11 Settings app

Similar to these, I always adjust numerous Windows privacy settings. While it takes some time, it gives me peace of mind to know my data isn’t being shared unnecessarily.

6

Block Annoying Ads

One of my biggest annoyances with Windows 11 is the abundance of ads, which seem to pop up everywhere. From personalized suggestions in the Start menu to promotional banners on the lock screen, these ads are downright annoying. It often feels like Windows is constantly trying to sell me something.

Thankfully, getting rid of these annoying ads in Windows 11 is not too difficult, so I make sure to remove them as soon as I can.

7

Set Battery Charging Limit

Battery life is a crucial factor for any portable device, and my Windows laptop is no exception. To maximize its lifespan, I like to set a battery charging limit and prevent it from reaching 100%. This helps reduce wear and maintain the battery’s health in the long run.

Most modern laptops, especially from brands like Lenovo, Dell, and ASUS, come with built-in software to help manage battery health. For instance, my Lenovo laptop has the Lenovo Vantage app, which allows me to set a charging threshold. Once the battery reaches 80%, the charging stops, helping prevent overcharging.

Conservation Mode option in Lenovo Vantage

8

Enable System Restore

Like any other operating system, Windows is susceptible to errors and unforeseen issues. System Restore is a handy feature that can help me revert my system to an earlier, stable state in case something goes wrong—whether it’s a problematic update, an incompatible program, or a system error.

For some reason, System Restore isn’t enabled by default on Windows 11 devices, so I always make sure to enable it myself right away. It acts as a safety net, providing peace of mind knowing I can recover my system without the need to completely reinstall Windows.

9

Configure Backup

Even with System Restore and Windows’ built-in troubleshooters, there’s always a chance that my system could face issues that those methods can’t fix. That’s why having a reliable backup is essential, especially in the event of something catastrophic like a hard drive failure or accidentally losing important files.

To keep my important files secure, I use OneDrive. However, rather than backing up everything, I prefer to configure my backup settings and select only the files and folders I truly need.

OneDrive backup settings on Windows

With all the changes and tweaks in place, setting up my new Windows PC takes some time, but it’s a one-time task—and definitely worth it. So, if you’ve recently bought a new Windows computer, don’t rush into using it right out of the box. Take the time to adjust these settings to ensure a smoother, more secure experience.

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