6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install

After installing Windows 11, many users dive straight into using the system without taking a moment to explore crucial default settings. While the operating system is designed to function seamlessly out of the box, neglecting certain initial configurations can lead to performance hiccups, privacy vulnerabilities, or complications when attempting to recover the device later on. Key settings often overlooked include enabling System Restore, understanding BitLocker recovery keys, adjusting power and privacy preferences, verifying device driver installations, and establishing regular backups. Here’s a guide that highlights essential configurations that should be part of your Windows 11 setup.

Essential configurations many users miss after installing Windows 11

These configurations should become a routine check after setting up Windows 11 to prevent potential issues and enhance your overall experience.

1. System Restore

System Restore is a valuable feature that allows users to revert their computer’s system files, installed applications, Registry, and system settings to a previous state using restore points. This tool serves as a safety net, enabling recovery from problems caused by recent software installations, driver updates, or system configuration changes without affecting personal data. However, this feature is disabled by default, leaving many users unaware of its existence until they find themselves in need of it.

To enable System Restore, follow these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Create a restore point and select the top result to access the System Properties page.
  3. Select the main “System” drive under the “Protection Settings” section.
  4. Click the Configure button.
  5. Select the “Turn on system protection” option.
  6. (Optional) Adjust the “Max Usage” slider to determine how much space the system should allocate for restore points.
  7. Click Apply, then OK.

Once completed, the feature will automatically create restore points during system updates or significant changes. It’s important to remember that this is not a backup solution but a tool for undoing changes.

2. BitLocker recovery key

With the introduction of version 24H2, Windows 11 automatically activates BitLocker on new installations. While drive encryption is crucial for safeguarding your data, many users encounter issues at startup, unaware that a recovery key is necessary to unlock their device. The challenge lies in knowing where to find this key.

If you set up your operating system with a Microsoft account, Windows 11 conveniently backs up the recovery key in your online account. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to retrieve this key before it becomes a necessity. To find your BitLocker recovery key, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Microsoft account.
  2. Sign in using your account credentials.
  3. Locate your computer’s recovery key from the list using the “Device Name” information.

Once you have the key, ensure to copy the “Device Name,” “Key ID,” and “Recovery Key” to a secure location. This information will be vital if your computer encounters issues during the initial boot process.

3. Power settings

Many users overlook adjusting power settings after installing Windows 11, which can lead to underperformance and unexpected behaviors, such as the screen turning off or the device entering sleep mode prematurely. To configure your device’s power settings according to your preferences, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Select the Power & battery (or Power) page on the right side.
  4. Click the Power Mode setting.
  5. Select the “Best Performance” option for both “Plugged in” and “On battery.”
  6. Click the “Screen and sleep timeouts” setting.
  7. Adjust the timers for when your screen turns off and when the device enters sleep mode.

After completing these steps, your new power configurations will take effect, enhancing your device’s performance.

4. Privacy settings

By default, Windows 11 collects a significant amount of diagnostic and usage data, creating a unique advertising ID for personalized ads and tracking the physical location of your device. After a clean installation or setting up a new device, it’s advisable to modify at least one system setting for a more private experience. To adjust your privacy settings, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Privacy & security.
  3. Select the “Find my device” page on the right side.
  4. Toggle the “Find my device” switch to off.
  5. Return to Privacy & security in the breadcrumb.
  6. Select the “Recommendations & offers” page.
  7. Turn off the “Personalized offers” and “Advertising ID” toggle switches.
  8. Go back to Privacy & security and click on “Diagnostics & feedback”.
  9. Toggle off the “Send optional diagnostic data” switch.
  10. Turn off the “Improve inking and typing” toggle switch.
  11. Click on “Delete diagnostic data” and confirm by clicking the Delete button.

These adjustments will significantly reduce the amount of data your computer sends to Microsoft, although some data transmission will always occur.

5. Device drivers

After a new installation, users often assume that if their keyboard, mouse, webcam, and speakers are functioning, all device drivers are correctly installed. However, the operating system may fail to install the appropriate drivers for critical components like motherboard chipsets and USB controllers. Therefore, it’s essential to verify that all device drivers are correctly installed. To check your device drivers, follow these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Device Manager and select the top result.
  3. Ensure that no components are labeled as unknown or marked with a yellow exclamation or red mark.

An “Unknown Device” indicates that the operating system cannot identify a piece of hardware, while a yellow exclamation mark signifies a driver issue. A red “X” shows that the device is disabled, either manually or due to a system policy. To download and install device drivers, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Windows Update.
  3. Select the Advanced options page.
  4. Click on Optional updates.
  5. Choose the Driver Updates setting.
  6. Select the drivers you wish to update.
  7. Click the “Download & install” button.

After completing these steps, the drivers will be downloaded and installed. If the system fails to locate the necessary drivers, manual installation may be required.

6. System backup

Upon completing the Windows 11 setup, the next crucial step is to establish a backup of your system to safeguard against potential data loss or the need to restore your computer. While creating a system image backup is often recommended, this method typically only protects your setup and files since the last backup. For comprehensive protection, many users overlook the legacy “Backup and Restore” feature that allows for automatic backups on a regular basis.

To set up a daily backup, connect an external drive with ample space and follow these instructions:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Control Panel.
  3. Click on System and Security.
  4. Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
  5. Click on “Set up backup”.
  6. Select the external storage for the backup.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Choose the “Let me choose” option.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Select the content to include in the backup from “Data Files” and “Computer”.
  11. Check the option to include the system image of the drives.
  12. Click Next.
  13. Finally, click the “Save settings and run backup” button.

By default, the system will run backups weekly, but users can customize the schedule for daily incremental backups at specific times.

More resources

For in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10, explore the available resources to enhance your experience.

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6 essential steps that Windows 11 users often miss after a fresh install