What are the first things you do straight after you’ve installed Windows Vista?

When you start up Windows Vista, either for the first time on a new PC or after you have formatted your hard drive, there’s a lot of work to be done. Favourite and important programs need to be installed, anti-virus defences set up, Windows Updates to download and settings to be changed to get the computer running the way you want it to. I have compiled a list of the first ten things that I do with a fresh installation of Windows Vista, but do you do things differently? Let us know in the comments section below about the first things you do and if you have any tips or shortcuts you would like to share.

The first things I do with a fresh installation of Windows Vista:

1. Install anti-virus software

Before using my computer on the internet I always make sure my anti-virus protection is up and running, as well as updated. Although I’m very careful about what I download and web sites I visit, you can never be too careful, and I’d hate to have to format and reinstall Windows Vista thanks to getting a virus.

2. Activate Windows

Once the computer is connected to the internet I activate Windows Vista.  Although you don’t have to do it straight away, as you have 30 days before you are required to activate your copy, I like to get it done straight away so I’m not reminded about activating it later.

3. Update Windows

To make sure everything is up-to-date and secure against recent security threats I usually update Windows Vista as soon as possible. Thankfully Windows Update will take care of most of the important updates in the background as I work on the rest of the list.

4. Remove unwanted programs with PC Decrapifier

It might come as a surprise that one of the first things you should do with your new PC is begin uninstalling programs, but a lot of programs come already installed on new computers. These are usually placed on the computer by manufacturers who get paid to include trial versions of software onto new PCs, as well as their own tools and software. You may not want these programs, or you will want to install your own choice of software later on. The more programs you have installed on your PC, the slower it will run, and these unwanted programs will prevent your new computer from running as fast as it should. Running PC Decrapifier (free from www.pcdecrapifier.com) will helps identify and remove those unnecessary applications, however I always check to make sure it hasn’t selected any programs I want to keep before I let it work its magic.

5. Create user accounts for everyone who uses your computer regularly

If your computer is going to be used by a lot of people (the whole family for example) then it is a good idea to create individual user accounts for them. This lets them add their own programs, alter the background and personalise their desktop without affecting other users. I’m very precious about the state of my computer, and don’t want any less technically proficient loved ones or housemates from messing with settings that could drastically change the way the computer runs.

6. Install the latest device drivers

To make sure my hardware is running at its best I then make sure that the latest drivers are installed. I usually visit the hardware manufacturers’ web sites to get the latest versions.

7. Configure my email

Once that is all set up I configure my email accounts (including my free web-based accounts at www.hotmail.com and my POP3 email account from my ISP) so that I can access them from Windows Live Mail (available for free from http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview).

8. Install essential plug-ins for my internet browser

The internet plays host to many different types of media, from animations, documents, movies and music, and to be able to play these back whilst browsing web sites you will need to install plug-ins for your internet browser (such as Internet Explorer 7). Plug-ins are small free programs that help your internet browser display certain file types, and your browser should tell you if you are trying to view content without the appropriate plug-in, and will point you in the right direction to download it.

9. Configure how Windows Vista to performs and looks

Once the most important stuff is out of the way I then personalise Windows Vista to make it look and behave the way I want it to. From changing the desktop background to showing hidden files and folders, I make sure everything is set the way I want it to be.

10. Create a System Restore point

Once that is all done I create a System Restore point so that if anything goes wrong I can restore Windows Vista back to the state it was in after setting it up. This usually rectifies most problems whilst meaning that I don’t have to go through the previous nine steps again.

That’s how I do things, at least, but I bet most of you have other ways of setting up your new installation of Windows Vista. Comment below and let us know!