Setup a new computer (Win 11)

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for setting up a new or existing computer with Windows 11 Home or Pro computer.

Next Century
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Microsoft

**Is this the right country or region?** Select **Australia** for country and then click **Yes**

**Is this the right keyboard layout or input method?** Make sure keyboard has **US** selected and then click **Yes**

Do not select United Kingdom, as you will affect the $ and @ symbol

**Want to add a second keyboard layout?** Click on **Skip** unless you do have a second keyboard from another country that you use, then click on Add layout instead

**Connect now to Quickly get started on your device** You will then be asked to select and connect to your wireless internet (if you are using a wired connection such as an ethernet cable, you will automatically connect). Click on **Connect now**, then select the correct Wi-Fi and put in the password when prompted

If you don’t have internet access where you are trying to set up your new device, you won’t be able to continue until you have connected to the internet

**Checking for updates** Next the installation will check for updates and install any if found, then reboot your computer

**Let’s name your device** Now you need to name your device, then click on **Next** If you click on **Skip for now** then Microsoft will generate a random computer name.

**How would you like to set up this device?** Following another reboot and if your device is Windows 11 Pro, you will be prompted whether it’s for Personal use or Work / School. Unless otherwise advised by an Administrator or IT Specialist, select Set up for personal use and then click Next.

If your device is Windows 11 Home, you will not see this screen above

**Unlock you Microsoft experience** You can scroll through all the information should you wish to, then click on **Sign in**

**Let’s add your Microsoft account (Sign in)** If you already have a Microsoft Personal account, type it in and then click Next, otherwise, click on Create one! If in the last step you selected Personal use, then it must be a Microsoft Personal account. Otherwise, if you selected work or school, then it must be a Microsoft work or school account.

Then type in your Microsoft Personal account password and click on **Sign in** If you do not know your password, click on **Forgot password** or **Use my Microsoft app**

**Welcome back** Microsoft will not add your account and then you will see the Welcome back message where you can then click on Restore from this PC. Under **More options**, you can choose what device you want to restore from if you have multiple devices, plus, you can also choose not to restore the account by selecting **Set up as a new PC**

**Create a PIN** Next you will need to create a Pin code which is for this device only, click on **Create PIN**

**Set up a PIN** Next type in a PIN code that you want and then click OK, do note that as default it is numbers only

Should you want to increase security and use letters plus symbols, tick the box **Include letters and symbols**

**Choose privacy settings for your device** Now choose the privacy settings you would like to use and then click **Accept**

Recommend leaving enabled Location and Find my device, turn off the rest unless you have a touch screen then leave Inking & typing enabled as well

**Let’s customize your experience** Now you will see Let’s customize your experience with options available, recommend clicking on **Skip** unless you want one of the experiences

**Use your phone from your PC** If you want to connect your Android phone to the computer, you can scan the bar code to begin the setup on your phone. If you do not want to link your phone or have an iPhone, then click on **Skip**

**Always have access to your recent browsing data** If you used Microsoft Edge on your previous device, you could now transfer all the favourites, browsing history and cookies by clicking on **Accept**, otherwise, click on **Not now**

**You’re in luck: You’ve landed a free trial of Microsoft 365 Family** At this point, if your Microsoft Personal account does not have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will be prompted that you can start a free trial by clicking on **Continue**, to decline the offer click on **Decline Microsoft 365**

The trial of Microsoft 365 Family will request your credit card details

**Get more cloud storage with Microsoft 365 Basic** If you declined the Microsoft 365 Family offer, you will next be offered a Microsoft 365 Basic account which is 100GB Cloud Storage only. Either click on **Continue** to accept the offer or click on **Decline** to continue without it

**Get your first month of PC Game Pass** Another offer Microsoft will tempt you with is the PC Game Pass, either click on **Join for $10.95** to accept the offer or click on **Skip for now** to decline

**More Updates** Microsoft Windows will now do one last final check for updates and install any that it finds

As advised, do not turn off the computer at this stage!

**Setup Complete** You have completed the setup and you will see the Windows desktop with the start menu

Setup a new computer (Win 11)

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for setting up a new or existing computer with Windows 11 Home or Pro computer.

Next Century
22 steps
42 seconds