New PC setup checklist

Before you touch the new machine

• List every account you rely on (email, bank, social, work, streaming).
• Export or sync bookmarks from the old browser if you still use them.
• Back up photos and documents — cloud + one offline copy (USB or external drive).
• Find software licence keys or login details for paid apps.
• Check whether work/school needs a specific VPN or security tool installed.
• Photograph cable labels or Wi‑Fi details if the old setup was working.

First hour on the new PC

• Run Windows Update (or macOS updates) before installing everything else.
• Sign in with a Microsoft or Apple account you control — not a shared family login.
• Turn on full-disk encryption if offered (BitLocker / FileVault).
• Set a strong device password or PIN and enable screen lock.
• Install a browser you actually want, then sign into sync if you use it.
• Uninstall obvious bloatware you will never use.

Accounts & email

• Add your main email — test send and receive before deleting the old PC.
• Set up two-factor authentication on email and banking.
• Re-add printers, scanners, or VPN if you use them.
• Install only the apps you need — avoid "download everything at once" chaos.

Backups (do this early, not "later")

• Turn on automatic backups (Windows Backup, Time Machine, or cloud sync).
• Confirm one test restore — open a backed-up file on another device.
• Keep the old machine for 2–4 weeks until you're sure nothing is missing.

Before you wipe the old PC

• Sign out of iCloud / Microsoft / Google accounts on the old device.
• De-authorise old copies of Adobe, Spotify offline, etc. if applicable.
• Factory reset only after backups are verified.