So, you’ve got your new computer and you’re back home, ready to set it up.
Not sure exactly what you need to do first? Here’s a quick how-to guide to get you through setup and quickly enjoying everything your computer can do.
1. Get online
Streaming movies, sending emails, browsing the web – all these things need an internet connection. The good news is, if your home broadband is up to speed, you’re most of the way there.
You can use an ethernet cable to plug directly into the router from your computer. But the most common method is to connect wirelessly over WiFi. That way, you’re not tied down to one spot.
Simply go to the ‘Network’ icon at the bottom right of your screen and click on it to view available networks. Then click on your one, and enter your password. You’re now online!
Top tip: It’s a good idea to save the network you’re most frequently connected to, so you don’t have to enter the password manually in future.
2. Transfer files from your old computer
Now let’s move all those important files from your old computer to your new one.
If you’ve got quite a lot of information to transfer across, the best way to do it is with an external hard drive. They work just like USB sticks, but can hold a lot more information (the ones we sell go up to a gigantic 12TB. That’s 12,000GB). Just plug it into your old PC, move everything (yes, everything) onto it, then plug it into your new computer and drag over everything you want. Simple.
If you’ve got a few files you’re not going to look at or use all that often - like that video of an old school play - you can keep it on the external hard drive to avoid taking up space on your new computer.
A good alternative to using a hard drive is Cloud storage. With Currys Cloud Backup, Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, you can store your data so it can be downloaded and accessed from any device, whether that’s your computer or phone.
Once you’re signed up, you can upload all your files to the Cloud. They’ll then be ready to download when you’ve signed into your cloud storage account on your new computer.
3. Choose your browser
If you’ve got a Windows computer, it’ll come with the Microsoft Edge browser right from the get-go. If you’re an Apple owner you’ll be using the Safari browser. If you’ve got a Chromebook, you’ll be on the Google Chrome web browser.
Each pre-installed browser has its own benefits, but you might want to change it - especially if you’re used to a different one. All you need to do is go into your current browser, and search for the one you really want.
Click the link to download the program, and once it’s installed, add an icon on your desktop for quick access.
4. Keep it secure
The best way to stay safe online and keep your personal info protected against viruses, malware and would-be intruders, is with an internet security and antivirus package.
A good security system on your computer regularly scans to check for viruses, and encrypts your files so nobody can view them even if you’re hacked. Some even offer protection for your WiFi network, so you can make sure no unknown devices try to access your home internet - even when you’re not home.
At Currys, antivirus and internet security software comes with a Product License Key instead of an installation disc. Just head to the website as directed on the card and enter the license key. Then you can create your account and download the program.
Antivirus and internet security subscriptions tend to have a one-year duration, but they’re easy to renew every year. And they’re not just for your new computer – some packages offer protection for as many as 10 devices at once, so you and the whole family can browse, stream, work and play safely on your laptops, phones and tablets.
Need any help?
Still think you’ll need help setting up a new computer? When you buy one in-store at Currys, our colleagues can do it all for you. So, you’ll be ready to start using it as soon as you get home.
If you’d like more help picking a computer, check out our desktop buying guide and laptop buying guide. And if you’d like to talk to an expert, pop in-store or have a video chat using ShopLive.
