6 Things You Must Do After Install or Upgrade Windows 11 24H2

Windows 11 Version 24H2 is available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 devices that meet the system requirements. The latest Windows 11 version 24H2 is packed with a number of new features, security improvements, and the latest bug fixes. Just install a fresh copy of Windows 11 on your computer or buy a brand new laptop with Windows 11 24H2 installed there are a few essential steps to ensure your system is set up correctly for the best experience. To make sure you’re getting the most out of Windows 11, here are a few important things you should do after installing Windows 11.

We’ll help you tweak settings, ensure security, and get your system running smoothly.

Update Windows 11

Regularly updating your operating system is crucial for security, performance, and access to new features. It patches vulnerabilities and ensures your system runs smoothly. It’s a necessary step to keep your computer safe from malware and other threats.

• Click the Start button, search for “Windows Update,” and select “Windows Update settings.”
• Click “Check for updates” to see if there are any available. You might find several pending updates.
• Wait for the updates to download and apply them by clicking “Restart now” when prompted.

In addition, you need to update pre-installed apps on Windows 11. open the Microsoft Store app, go to the Library page in the bottom left corner, and click “Get updates.” This process might take a while since most default apps are likely to have updates.

This ensures that your system has the latest security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Install the Latest Drivers

Drivers help your hardware work correctly. Manufacturers regularly release driver updates to address known issues and improve system stability. Installing these updates can prevent crashes, freezes, and other technical glitches. Make sure they are up to date for optimal performance.

You can update device Drivers via Device Manager

• Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager”
• Find the hardware category you want to update. For example, if you’re updating your graphics card driver, expand the “Display adapters” category.
• Right-click on the specific device you want to update, from the context menu, choose “Update driver.”
• This will open the Update Driver Software wizard, select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
• This option allows Windows to search online for the latest driver.

If Windows finds a new driver, it will automatically install it. Follow any additional prompts or instructions that appear on-screen.

Also, you can Visit your device manufacturer’s website or use Windows Update (Optional update) to find and install the latest drivers.

If you’re unsure about which drivers you need or want to automate the process, you can use third-party driver update tools.

Install the latest driver update helps your hardware work smoothly with the new system, making everything run faster and more reliably.

Install Essential Software

To make your computer truly yours, install essential software. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Antivirus Software: Ensure your system is protected against malware, viruses, and other online threats. Consider reputable antivirus software like Avast, Norton, or Bitdefender. We recommend third-party antivirus programs along with Windows Defender.
• Web Browser: Microsoft Edge is good, but you can also try Popular options include Firefox, Opera, or Chrome for better browsing experiences.
• Media Software: Get VLC Media Player for videos and foobar2000 for music. They’re reliable and free. VLC Media Player is a versatile and widely used option.
• Productivity Software: Choose your preferred email client, office suite, note-taking app, and cloud storage service. Options include Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Evernote, and more.
• File Compression Tool: Consider installing a file compression tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR for handling compressed files.
• Utilities and System Tools: Consider installing utilities like CCleaner for system optimization, and tools like Speccy for hardware information.

Change Default Windows Settings

Make Windows 11 more personalized and efficient. Here’s how:

• Set your preferred apps for email, music, photos, video, and web browsing in the Default app settings.
• Disable unnecessary startup items in the Task Manager to speed up your computer’s boot time. You can press ctrl + shift + Esc to open task manager.

• Optimize appearance settings and power plan settings for better performance and energy efficiency. You can press the Windows key + I to open settings, navigate the system then power & battery to make the changes.

Review Privacy Settings

Adjusting privacy settings empowers you to control what information your system shares with applications and services. This helps protect your personal data.

Tweak privacy settings to control what data is shared with Microsoft and other services.

• Press Windows key + X and select settings, Privacy & Security > General and turn off “Let Apps Show Me Personalized Ads by Using My Advertising ID.”
• Navigate settings, Privacy & Security  > Diagnostics & Feedback > Diagnostic Data. Here, turn off “Send Optional Diagnostic Data.”
• Under Privacy & Security navigate Activity History and turn off the “Store My Activity History on This Device” option. Then, delete your already collected data by clicking “Clear.”
• Head into Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & Feedback > Tailored Experiences and turn off the toggle.

Open Settings from the Start Menu. Select “Privacy & Security.” Go through each category (such as Location, Camera, Microphone, etc.) and adjust permissions for apps and services as needed. For example, you can grant or deny access to specific apps.

Set Up Backup Methods

Creating backups is like an insurance policy for your data. It ensures that if anything goes wrong, you can restore your important files and settings. You don’t want to lose important files. Here’s what you need to do:

The latest Windows 11 24h2 has a new backup application, and you can configure the “Windows Backup” app to back up and restore all of your stuff.

• Press Windows key + S, type Windows backup and select the top result,
• In the app, click on “Folders.” Turn on the toggle switch for “Folders” to back up important folders like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
• Click on “Apps.” Turn on the toggle switch for “Quick access apps on any Windows device.” This ensures your frequently used apps are backed up.
• In addition, here you can backup system settings, wifi network and passwords
• Click the “Back up” button to start the backup process, once the backup is complete, click “Close.”

Your profile folders, apps, settings, and credentials will be securely backed up to your OneDrive account in the cloud. This means you can access your files from anywhere, providing an extra layer of protection for your important data.

Spend some time navigating through the system, trying out features like Snap layouts (to easily arrange windows), Widgets, and the revamped Microsoft Store.

In Windows 11, you can personalize your PC’s look by accessing Settings and navigating to Personalization. Here, you can choose themes, adjust background images, and select colors to suit your style.

Additionally, enabling clipboard history by pressing the Windows key + V allows you to store multiple items for easy copying and pasting.

To manage notifications, head to Settings > System > Notifications, where you can control which apps send alerts.

Lastly, set up OneDrive for seamless cloud storage integration. Access its settings via the taskbar icon to customize sync preferences and optimize your storage experience.