The bit at about the 4 minute mark where you do shift+ F10 to bypass the thing where you would otherwise be linking the laptop to a specific MS account is so helpful! I have always hated that step,
@@garlicgirl3149 Try this… When it asks for a Microsoft Account email, use no@thankyou.com And enter anything for the password. It should then say there’s a problem with the account and let you proceed with the setup using a local account. 😁
Thanks for this amazing video, Nic; I just got a new laptop couple of days ago and your tutorial greatly helped me in setting up the laptop and removing the bloatware and other stuff. Good job.
I have just purchased a Windows 11 laptop (different brand) and found this video VERY usefull. Subscribed and saved for later completion.. Thank you for a comprehensive guide.
Thanks for the sub! Read the description though... the method for bypassing the Microsoft Account login changes... Currently, the Pro version allows local accounts via the setup for business option. Home is more problematic as you can't skip the account login anymore, but if you're happy to use a Microsoft Account then there's no problem. The tweaks still apply.
Nic, thank you so much for your informative video. I had recently bought an ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED and followed your setup guide. I had to resort to the Shift Fn F10 and it worked ok. Everything worked just as you explained it. Many thanks.
Ok. So. Wow. My Sony Vaio is 14 years old - such a great computer - still ticking along. I think it's running Win 7.1 (?). Just got a new Dell Alienware, running Win 11. Overwhelm is real. My old computer feels like ... well, a computer. The new one ... like a glorified smartphone? Why do I need a Microsoft account just to turn on and use my computer? How do I make it just turn on and let me use it, without sign-in, PIN, account sync, etc? And what are all these phone-like apps, such as Disney Plus? Is it just advertising? Is it just me or has the whole experience become a more commercial one, and a less utilitarian one? Thank you so much for this video. I'm starting here, with your recommendations. 😊
For your specific questions… Set a local user account with no password - it’ll then boot straight to the desktop with no login/PIN/etc needed. Disney have paid Microsoft to have their App preinstalled. Right mouse click on it and then click uninstall. Similarly for other Apps you see but don’t intend to use. It’s the computer equivalent to all the little advertising leaflets that used to fall out of magazines… if you remember that… 😀 I don’t especially mind and I don’t find it sinister… you just need to tidy things up a bit before you use the laptop. Just like adjusting the mirrors and tuning the radio on a new car before you drive away…
Have always found the search icon on the taskbar quite redundant. We can always search through the Start icon. And also w.r.t. the new context menu, you make sense about the copy paste icons. But for users like me, who unzip via 7zip a lot. An 'Extract here' option is quite annoying now. There should be some customisation available, so that the user gets to decide which app specific options can be present.
I think this is because of the irritating Web search it does… But… If you turn that off then the search box is actually faster at finding and running things than any other method. 😁 I might do a video on it to prove it…
Enjoy your coffee, you certainly earned it. Great video. I have a new windows 11 desktop on the way and it looks like 90%+ of what you have shown will apply.
Thanks for this great video. I'm about to set up a new laptop and have a MS account. Is there any reason why I shouldn't log into the account rather than skip this part of the process?
Yes, but also no! There are advantages and disadvantages to having a Microsoft Account - but you don't have to use it as an account on your PC though. You can use a local account and then use the Microsoft Account with other services - like OneDrive, Office, etc. I'm going to make a video as I get asked about it pretty often. You don't need to wait until I've published it though... I have a thought up a simple rule - if you're asking about it then you can't think of a clear reason to have one. So use a local account. :D
The SSD is unlikely to fail completely on a new device but we don't know when our SSD's will fail so it's common sense to backup data on more than one storage device for peace of mind. I like and need to ask people about their thoughts on anything that i need help with. We learn by talking and asking questions. Going by what you said,i have decided the best option is to set up my pc using the methods described in your video. I remember seeing a video title about how to obtain a local account offline and hopefully without having to use and deal with the dreaded and unwanted microsoft account. If i can't find it or it's too difficult then i will come back to your video. 😊
To save you a bit of time… Newer versions of Windows 11 have blocked the F10 trick, but don’t worry. When it asks for the Microsoft Account email use no@thankyou.com Enter anything for the password. It’ll report an error… then it’ll allow you to make a local account. I mention it in the description for this video. 😜
Great overall information about the Windows 11 startup process!! I wanted to ask a question about the same procedure but on an HP Laptop (15-dy2024) instead of a Dell. Should I delete all of the HP programs as well? I want them to go away so HP will be less interruptive when using the computer. The only Dell app you kept was power management I believe. I am just not sure if any particular HP apps need to stay on the laptop to allow the laptop to function properly. I will definitely use the Shift F10 tip to set up a local account and delete McAfee apps, however I am unsure of HP apps deletion impact sir. Thank you for the extremely helpful video!!
If the laptop is still new then you can remove whatever you like - if something does go wrong simply reset it and it'll restore everything to the original factory state. Just make a note of the last ting your removed... For HP you can remove everything relating to HP Support - if you run task manager then you'll see a whole load of background tasks relating to that. :D
@@cfox20104 I think at least 5 things have be routinely uninstalled... You just need to be cautious with things involving power management and Fn keys.... but the HP web site has a full set of drivers and applications in case people have to do a vanilla Windows install because the recovery partition isn't available. So if you do get problems after you uninstall something you can put it back... just make a note of what you're taking off... :D
Hi Nic. You mention in your video that you were thinking of doing another tutorial on doing a 'clean install' of Windows on a new laptop to replace the OS that comes shipped by the manufacturer (in my case, Windows 11 with the copious amount of bloatware from Dell and Microsoft...) In summary, I would like to do a clean install of Windows 10 Pro (i.e. with the least amount of bloatware possible) and then install the correct drivers on my Dell Inspiron 7506. I am doing this because: (1) I tried to 'like' Windows 11 - but still absolutely hate it!!! and (2) your video made me aware of all the crap we are forced to have on our computers, which seems to be increasingly for the purposes of: (1) advertising; (2) to force you to use their products; and (3) some obscure data collection process which I am sure they somehow are trying to monetize or otherwise 'help' us in ways we never requested... Also, I am not sure of my options for obtaining a 'clean' version of Windows 10 Pro. It seems the options are: (1) buy from Microsoft Store online for $169 AUD; (2) buy from some random 3rd party for between $20 - $60 AUD; or (3) buy nothing and just use an unregistered version until/ if I decide to do either (1) or (2)... I can't help feeling that options (2) and (3) are somehow dodgy! Anyhow, I will press on with the above - but if you were thinking of a topic for your next video, the above is my suggestion. Cheers, Mike
It’s something I’ll do once I have made thought about a method that will work well enough to be universal. But you don’t need to buy Windows - the embedded licence key on your Windows 11 device should work with Windows 10. Assuming you’ve got Windows 11 Pro then you can create a Windows 10 Pro installation USB stick and use that. Note that Microsoft will drop support for Windows 10 in a few years so if you really don’t like Windows 11 then before you put on Windows 10 I would suggest a clean install if Windows 11 first…
Can you do a video, about OS Preinstalled vs Another OS you want have in a new laptop or new PC computer, Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro, or Windows 10 Home vs Ubuntu Studio, in other words, preinstalled OS on a new computer, has any advantage over the other OS you wanted instead, and you go and use the latter than the preinstalled OS…?
Love the content, consisely put. Just curious though, why delete Dell Support isn't this the quickest way to update bios and drivers etc without all the faff?
If you have a DELL laptop then open up Task Manager and take a look at all the DELL background processes... There's really no need to update drivers if everything works anyway - because... why fix something if it's not broken? :) Windows 11 will actually update firmware and drivers using Windows Update if it needs to - so having extra DELL software running seems unnecessary to me.
What did you use to record screen again, ninja or something? Can you give me the full name of it and other options, im planning to buy whatever you recommend, thanks again like always
It's an Atomos Ninja V with a Samsung SSD in it. Check it out here: www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v I don't have any of the fancy addons for it - its meant for pro video and film making which the link above focusses on. I just use it to record the HDMI output of desktops and laptops - so just the device and a 1TB SSD. Watch out for less obvious extras that Atomos try and sell... they charge extra to activate common codecs on the Ninja so I record and then copy the RAW so HandBreak can recode for actual editing for free. Note that I'm not affiliated with Atomos or Samsung - just being honest when answering your question. :D
Great video. Thank you very much. I do have a question too, I know in Windows 10 you could lessen the space used for system restore. Can you do it in 11, do you suggest doing it and if so, what capacity do you recommend? Thank you.
System Restore in Windows 11 is essentially the same as previous versions of Windows. Since XP in fact. Click the search icon on the task bar and type in 'system '. That should be enough to show 'Create a restore point' as a 'Best match' result. Click on it and you should see the System Protection tab of the main System Properties. Click the 'Configure' button to adjust the space that System Restore is allowed to use. System Restore is BRILLIANT when it works... and the thing to remember is the 'when it works' part. It's not a magic trick that will fix everything, but it can be the only thing that fixes certain problems. So I wouldn't turn it off, and I would generally leave it on the default settings if you've got a main drive with a typical capacity. Devices with low capacity eMMC drives are worth tweaking - those with less than 120GB. But as SSD prices have dropped most laptops and desktops will have 250GB or more - in which case the advantages of System Restore are more important than the drive space it uses. Note that disabling hibernation and deleting the OEM recovery partition can free up as much as 30GB anyway. But that's another video if you're interested. :D
Hello Nic, this was a really great video and i really appreciate all your great insights. I'm getting this exact same laptop and was wondering if you'd recommend doing a clean install of windows 11 from a usb before starting it up? I think you mention something along these lines at 29:32 when you're talking about the 20gb partition space lying around.
If it was my laptop then I’d reinstall and wipe the existing partitions. If you open Disc Management (right mouse click on Start button) then you can check how must space is really being used by the recovery partition. It’s normally around 23GB. With DELL you just need to be aware that some models have DELL software installed that you sometimes need for full function of devices… In the past, this has been for Fn key operation, power management, and MaxxAudio Pro for the sound. So it’ll be a good idea to have the product driver download page available just in case. Don’t worry though… it is easier just to leave it, but 23GB is worth an hour reinstalling and tidying up anything that Windows missed. 🙂
Hi Nic, I adore your Setup Guide, small problem for a very old guy, I did not understand at what point and how you connect to WiFi to be able to update Win11. Thank so much!
Any time after you've done the initial account setup - assuming you don't want to use a Microsoft Account. I tend to do it after removing some of the bloat, but the key is that you'll know it's updating once its on the Internet. So you can expect activity and leave it to get on with it.
Amazing video, just what I was looking for. Question, your thoughts on disabling/deleting the annoying Bitlocker Recovery Key I'm asked for when my laptop sits quiet for a long time (Windows 11)
Generally, if you don’t have any specific data security concerns then I would disable Bitlocker completely. It might be worth doing a video on this as it doesn’t take long to explain so people can decide for themselves.
It's been well over 13yrs since I used Microsoft. So this vid is really helpful, thank you! One question tho, you used the laptop immediately out of the box. But I keep reading that before you do anything with a new laptop, you should charge it for 24hrs, to get the most out of the battery. Is that really the best thing to do, or makes it no difference at all? Thank you in advance✌🏾🦖
I believe this is one of the best if not the best video about this topic. I haven't watched this video yet but from what i have been reading about it,it doesn't mention anything about taking a snapshot of the pc (also known as a system image) and i want to know why not?. I am interested to know people's views on this. 😊
It takes less than 15 minutes to install the newer versions of Windows from a USB stick. With personal data increasingly being stored in Cloud services you often only have to sign in to have your data restored after a reinstall. A Microsoft Account sign in will also configure Office for you too. Usually just entering your email and password is enough to get Outlook working. It’s much easier to reinstall now… so the pressure to make a system image is much less. This might be worth discussing in a video….
I really don't have a lot of experience setting up my laptop to run efficiently. I also don't know what you were doing to the property settings and what it is changing, not to mention that I don't even know what indexing is. I'm worried if I make the changes, sometime in the future a situation will come up that my lack of knowledge will create a disaster. Do you have a video that goes a little deeper into describing what the new settings are changing?
I don't have another video that details the tweaks... But these are the tweaks I do on every laptop and PC I configure for customers. Most of these tweaks are also rather old - the visual effects actually date back to Windows XP. If you follow the video and carefully make the same changes then you'll be fine - you can stop, pause, rewind as much as you like. My advice would be to just use your laptop for a week or so after logging in and then come back to this video and do the tweaks... see if they make a difference. :) You can use a local user account or a Microsoft account - that's up to you. I do intend to make a video describing the advantages and disadvantages of those accounts soon.
@sterntechdaddy, thanks for sharing this video. I actually just received a laptop with the windows 11 today. I've just made my first mistake by not plugging it in before hitting the power button! I don't know how I missed that step from the small manual but I did! Now I am still stuck on what region to choose! 0:43 I figure if I select Canada I'll wind up having limited use and browsing abilities. 😐 I thought your video was very helpful, and I was hopeful, thought I could follow along but since reading the edits I don't have enough confidence in myself to do it alone. I wish it wasn't the case! Btw I'm 3 hours into the set up. Okay, but for 2 hours I just let the battery charge. 😂
I'm not sure about Canada... they probably have a fairly relaxed and sensible attitude to the Internet, but you should just choose the region where you live because that will setup time zones and keyboard mapping correctly. You also don't need to wait for it to charge - you can use it immediately if the mains is connected and turned on. You can pause the video and rewind too... so just take your time. If the video doesn't match your particular laptop then don't worry - just do the bits that do match. :)
This is really helpful (waiting for my new laptop to arrive), but do you have a video specifically for HP Pavilion? I’ve not done this process before so I’m a bit scared I’ll uninstall something for HP! Thank you
I used a HP device for two reasons… the first being that it had been handed to me for setup by a customer. The second was that HP generally have the most bloat installed so it was also the best example of configuration I could show. Lenovo, for example, have much less bloat so using one of those wouldn’t have made the video very helpful. But that was a bonus… the main reason was because it was a laptop I had being worked on in the workshop. 🙂 Note that for my own laptops I erase everything and reinstall using a vanilla Microsoft USB made using the Media Creation Tool. This also frees up an extra 25GB of space that a recovery image partition normally uses. There’s nothing really HP specific that you need anyway. Older laptops often needed a bit of software to handle the function key media controls, but new ones tend to work without that. And if you do notice something that Windows doesn't spot then you can find what you need on the support downloads page for your specific model anyway. 🙂
It depends how much time the laptop gets used away from the mains... but initially, turning off all the automatic power saving is helpful for Windows Update. I tend not to dwell on this except to also set the 'what happens when I close the lid' option to 'do nothing'. So you can close the laptop up and carry it from room to room safely - without worrying about sleep mode kicking in. :D
Does this setup at the starting require again if the laptop is factory reset Since , i am buying a new laptop so i am worried that it may be a used one , So for a used one is there any chance of entering the staring setup again Or how can we identify it pls reply ❤❤❤
Used laptops are normally reset to their factory state if the original hard drive is working - so you'll get the same as shown in this video. There might be a slight difference if your laptop is HP or Lenovo as they might have separate signup screens for their software, but it'll be 99% the same procedure. That's entirely normal. The local account trick shown doesn't work with newer versions of Windows 11, but if you don't mind using a Microsoft Account or have the Pro version installed then that won't matter. There is a method for Home that skips the Microsoft Account which I can tell you if you need it. If you're worried about your new laptop actually being new rather than second hand then the easiest way to spot that is to check the box seals - they will be unbroken if the device is definitely brand new. You can also check the internal packaging and the cable ties for the charger - that sort of thing is very difficult to return to an original factory state so it should be pretty obvious that the device has been used and then repackaged if it actually has. New devices are also immaculate - so wear or marks on the touchpad, USB sockets, keyboard, etc are going to be easy to spot if it's not brand new. Also the price... if you're getting a laptop for price that's surprising then check the model online to see what the prices are like in other shops of it went out of stock a while ago. You might also find reviews that data back longer than expected... a 'new' laptop shouldn't have reviews from several years ago. And for a DELL you can check the Service Tag on the DELL website to see what information that yields. Hope this helps. :)
Is there an even more pronounced way to resolve the file explorer visual problem at 25:36? Your method still seems subtle for these old eyes. I really need something that makes it super clear immediately which one is the focus.
This is Microsoft… rather than me… 😁 The border accent colour for File Explorer doesn’t work in the same way as for other programs. Other programs get the full bar coloured in, but File Explorer just gets a subtle hue around the edge. Maybe they’ll fix that in a future update. And also move the Shutdown button from the right to the left of the Start menu because that’s irritating too. 😁
Hello Nic Great video. But I am struggling with the shift and f10 key. When I press the key like you say, it brings up window with sticky keys option. Any help please?
Hello Nic, thanks for the video! Enjoyed it. Do you think it's necessary to clone Windows before doing driver updates? I'm looking to clone to an external hard drive using Macrium Reflect, but not sure if that would work. As far as I know you can't boot from the external unless you take it apart and attach the HDD into the laptop?
You will need to swap the drives over… So if you want to do this then get a USB3-SATA cable and a bare 2.5” SSD. Assuming you’ve got a 2.5” drive rather than an M.2 of course. I have another video showing this if you need more help, but I think you can work it out for yourself. 🙂 And you don’t really need to clone before updates… I normally do it only when upgrading a drive rather than using it as a back up. You’ll still need to apply updates to the clone anyway…
@@sterntechdaddy Hey Nic, hope you are well. Thank you very much for the assistance - I appreciate your reply. To make a simple backup, I used Macrium Reflect and did a system image to an external HDD that is formatted NTFS. Then formatted a USB to FAT32 and used that to become the Rescue function for booting. Saw that method from Bracer Jack. I've gone through your Windows 10 and Windows 11 videos, and just want to say a big thanks man. God bless - John 14:6
Excellent. Note that Clonezilla might be easier... it's free. clonezilla.org/ Its DOS based so looks scary and technical, but really simple to use if you ignore all the features you don't need. I might do a video on it. :D
@@sterntechdaddy Hmm I haven't come across it before. Would be interested to see your video on it (should you make one :D)! Thanks again for all the help. If I could make a suggestion, a tutorial where you do a quick example of making a system image for a brand new computer and then go through the boot process (like with Macrium Reflect). Once that's done, you can link to a video where you setup the OS for that new computer. Just seems like people want to find a 5min video to do a system image, and you can capitalise on that to have a separate tutorial for setup. A title could be: New computer MOST IMPORTANT step, or, Systems Image new computer etc. Not trying to tell you what to do, just think your material is helpful and perhaps that can trigger the algorithm a bit.
Have a think about when you would need it... This is usually when there's a drive failure... and there's no point restoring from a broken drive to the same broken drive! :D Plus it only takes 10 minutes to reinstall a vanilla version of Windows from a USB stick made using the Media Creation Tool. I have videos about that too. So removing the recovery partition is well worth it as it's usually 20GB of space you can put to better use.
I don't like cloud services because i heard the data can easily be permanently lost and hacked. If possible,i will do everything i can to avoid using a microsoft account. If you don't mind,i would like you to watch a 5.5 minute video on the bracer jack youtube channel titled- do this before using your new laptop. Please reply with your thoughts on it. How would you suggest setting up a new out of the box pc?. Do you recommend following bracer jack or your video or both, starting with bracer jack and then your video. 😊
I've always pointed out to customers that cloud services are just other peoples computers and some of my customer simply can't use the Cloud for security reasons. Even so, it is rather cool to see a new laptop set itself up by just entering a Microsoft account - it does need an Office 365 licence associated with it though. :D I set up every computer I've ever seen using the methods described in my video. This includes computers for myself and new customers machine - ion addition to all the customers machines I've had in for repair. I watch the video you mentioned - it just suggests using Macrium Reflect to make a system image. I have used that in the past, but for a new laptop this is not really necessary. The hard drive already has a system image on it - and it's using about 23GB of space too. So a Macrium image would only be handy if the hard drive fails completely - which is unlikely on a new device. And you need a sioutable device to store the image on. There's a good chance that this device could fail when the time comes to actually restore it too. Back up is having data in more than one place. I've seen a few puzzled faces when people reach for the drive they have labelled 'Back Up' and its the only copy of the data - not fun if that drive hasn't been used for a while and develops a fault. I can see how it would be handy for professionals with a range of third party software installed - you could set everything up and then image it. That's what businesses and education does to make deployment and repair easier. I've done that in the past. But for a general home user I don't see the point. Might be worth me doing another video about this... Note that you're free to decide what to do yourself - I'm not trying to tell you what to do. :)
Try pressing the Fn key and F10. Also the newest version of Windows 11 has nerfed the trick, but if you use no@thankyou.com as the email with anything you like as the password it should barf and then let you continue and create a local account. 😁
There isn't anything publicly available for PayPal. Kofi and Super Thanks are what people use, but I'm not typing this on the sun drenched deck of a massive yacht if you see what I mean. :D
Hi Nic, great videos here. I found a discrepancy with my Dell laptop Win11 Home. In the Connect to Network section you say hit Shift F10 to get a command prompt. When I do that I get no response at all, and I'm not sure how to get the command prompt at that point. Do you have a suggestion? Thanks.
Hi Nic, very informative video…. Just got an hp DY2702DHP laptop and tried the shift + f10 combo unfortunately it did not work for me… Any help… thanks
Try shift and Fn + F10 :) The 'Fn' key is on the bottom left of the keyboard - usually. Some laptops need the Fn key pressed to enable the F10 key - they default to the media functions instead.
Thanks Nic... at around 3.36 of your video you show 'a little trick' to set up a local user account on Windows Home 11 PC - by hitting 'SHIFT F10'... For some reason, when I am trying to do this on my new Dell Inspiron 7506 2n1 - it does nothing and refuses to bring up a command prompt window... Am I doing something wrong, or has Dell/ Microsoft done something to stop your trick from working? Cheers, Mike
Hi Nic, what is your advice on conserving the strength of the battery on Dell Laptop? A Dell Tech once told me to unplug the power source once I am done working with the laptop. That is never leave the laptop connected to power source
The only devices I see with battery issues are old devices. So age is the issue rather than any specific battery rituals that people have or haven't performed. It just seems like folklore to suggest that you can't leave your laptop plugged in. The battery chemicals deteriorate naturally - typically after about 4 years of use. Your DELL laptop battery will stop working. Try typing opening an admin CMD prompt and type; powercfg /batteryreport Then copy/paste the link is makes into your Web browser. That will tell you all about the state of your battery. You can copy the file somewhere safe and rename it. Then run the command again (next year!) and see if anything has changed. The conventional battery conditioning advice (i.e. leave on charge overnight, unplug and then use until the battery is drained completely before charging again, etc.) should be followed if the instructions that came with the device tell you to do it. I've seen this recently on a Nokia phone, for example, but not on the new laptops I've had in the workshop for customers. Literally millions and millions of laptops have been sold... so I just think that there would be an industry changing number of people with battery problems if leaving a laptop plugged in was going to cause trouble.
I use an Atomos Ninja V monitor/recorder device - you can read about it here: www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v Note that I have no affiliation or sponsorship links to Atomos. Unfortunately... :D
@@leonardoalfonsopanganiban5084 Of course! It depends upon where you live... Go here... www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v Then click the 'Where to buy' button on the top right. Select your country and it'll suggest some places you can buy it from. You'll also need to get an SSD too - you can get whatever size you like but it needs to be a 2.5" model and there isn't one included with the Ninja. I have a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO in mine.
That’s a question not linked to the video so I’m not able to offer any help or advice directly. Except to say that Googling might offer some solutions to try. 🙂
I use an Atomos NINJA V plugged into the HDMI output using the wireless HDMI dongle I've reviewed. They don't make the NINJA V anymore though - it's been replaced by the NINJA and NINJA ULTRA but mine has the OS upgrade. It's a great device and records the screen perfectly. Most laptops send a signal to the HDMI output independently of Windows when a display device is connected - by default this is a clone of the main screen - so the NINJA is the cheapest way of getting perfect recordings from anything with HDMI output. :)
Thanks for this. I just followed to set up my laptop. I have an old hp envy laptop I have been using since 2014. I am unable to download windows 11 on it. Is there anyway I can do this?
You can force Win11 to install by using a modified installer, but if your CPU is too old and you’ve not got TPM then it won’t install without doing the mod.
There's a couple of things to mention... 1. Using OEM recovery partition will restore the computer to the factory state when it was purchased - this includes all the drivers and OEM software. This is what usually happens when you choose the 'Reset' option from Windows settings - its in Update & Security -> Recovery. Some laptops have their own more formal application for doing this. 2. Using the Windows USB stick will install the plain version of Windows which will need some extra drivers installing after the desktop appears. The first option isn't a good idea if the reason for any problems is a hard drive issue. It won't fix a faulty drive, obviously, and will just restore Windows onto the same drive - which will then become unstable. If the drive is OK then this method can be used to Reset the PC and keep the documents while it does it. That's handy if you've not go anywhere else to put them - but you should have your stuff backed up if it's important anyway. The second option is what you'll need to do on a new drive, but it has advantages for existing drives... a) The recovery uses a partition on the hard drive which is roughly 23GB - so if you do a fresh installation of Windows on a new laptop using the USB stick you can delete this partition and reclaim that space. b) The version of Windows on the USB stick doesn't have any of the OEM software installed - so you don't get any of the bloat I remove in this video. c) It'll be cleaner and faster than the OEM version of Windows that using 'Reset' will put back. But... Windows installed from the Microsoft USB stick *might* be missing drivers and some functionality. This depends on the laptop though. Some HP models, for example, have a little sensor to trigger a HDD lock if the laptop gets dropped and other laptops might be missing proper Fn key operation if the software for that isn't installed. This is getting much less frequent now, and newer versions of Windows will usually detect everything - so device manager will have no unknown devices in it. It's also extremely rare for anything Windows doesn't find to be a problem so unless you really like a tidy Device Manager you probably won't notice something hasn't ben identified. You will have to update GPU drivers and double check the audio to see if it that gets identified as something other than generic HD audio. But you should be able to find missing drivers on the manufacturers support page. Hope this helps.
@@sterntechdaddy wow, i didnt expect this much explanation, it definitely helped a lot! I was thinking about using the Reset tool you mentioned in my brand new laptop, just to set up Windows as clean as possible (I havent even turned it on, so you know its a brand new laptop). But now, since you said this way of reseting doesn't get rid of the unwanted things, I'll just let them be and unninstall them manually. Thanks a lot!
I had a few minutes while a PC I was working on updated... lol Glad it helped. Note that the tips I include in the video will optimise your laptop anyway... It's a bit like vacuuming the house... you'll get a *total* clean if you take all the furniture out, vacuum the floor and then put back what you need... but it doesn't really matter if you leave the sofa and don't bother vacuuming what you can't see. :)
I have passed this but I would like to do this. I have not logged into the internet yet . Can I still do this. If Ii do log in, is there a way to go back and undo?
You can switch to a local user after using a Microsoft Account to setup the computer for the first time. Don’t worry! Also you can perform a factory reset if you really want to try the video tips - assuming you’ve not used and don’t mind resetting.
Last year, we succesfully set up a Windows 11 laptop with an offline account..............until we wanted to download other browsers & drivers for our laser printers. Then it forced us to create a MS account. Tomorrow, we want to set up another Windows 11 laptop & need to know how to avoid the MS demand, when we want to download Vivaldi, or Brave, or our printer drivers. HELP?
Once you’ve logged in using a local account it should allow anything to be downloaded and installed. But… make sure the local account is an Administrator. I’m just thinking that if the computer is asking for a Microsoft account log in when you need to download and install software then it might be asking for permission from an account with higher rights than the one being used. I’ve used local accounts for years and never had any problems downloading or installing anything.
Mine took the same required adjustment to get into the task manager, but when I ended the task as shown, my MSI popped up a screen that said "woops, it looks like you're disconnected from the network" and only gave me the option of clicking on a button to try again and sent me right back where I was before attempting the task manager flow change. Grrrr... stuck into requiring a network connection before I can go further.
Newer versions of Windows 11 don't allow the network disconnect trick. But see the description for this video... If you use no@thankyou.com as the username and anything as the password then you'll get an error - which will then allow you to create a local account. :)
I have followed these instructions and my laptop still have my personal information. I need to return ir, and still not able do delete everything in it. Mine is Inspiron 14 any body knows how to do it, please 🙏 I done 3 different ways and no luck with this!!
Here’s one way… www.howtogeek.com/762169/how-to-factory-reset-a-windows-11-pc/amp/ Remember to choose ‘remove everything’ if you don’t want to keep personal data.
Is that shown in this video? If so can you give a timestamp... If you laptop isn't a DELL then the initial stages will be slightly different, but a greyed out 'Next' button is usually fixed by scrolling down the text in the box above. Its common to see some licence terms which they make you scroll through before you're allowed to accept and continue. Hope that helps.
It's not really about whether or not Windows 11 is 'better' than Windows 10. It's actually about familiarity and change. Windows 10 will be officially supported until 2025, so I would say that if you haven't got a compelling reason for getting Windows 11 then decline the update and keep using Windows 10 until you get a new laptop with it already on. At this stage, business laptops will probably come with Windows 10 and offer the 'upgrade' to Windows 11 - most business IT systems will be using Windows 10 and there might be issues integrating a Windows 11 machine into it. As you're asking this question I don't think you've got a compelling reason for getting Windows 11, but here's a few that I can think of... 1. You've got a NEW laptop - which will have Windows 11 on it. 2. You like to keep up with the latest version out of general interest or as a hobby. 3. You need to keep up with the latest version - because you're in the IT industry! 4. You've spotted something that's in Windows 11 that you might actually like. Note that many of the new features are refinements that improve efficiency. And you won't notice them until you've used them for a while and then you revert back to Windows 10 and notice they are missing. The new right click context menu, for example, is actually much better than the Windows 10 version - I discuss this in the video. This is actually true for ALL versions of Windows - some of the features you're using in Windows 10 weren't in Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.1 has features that weren't in WIndows 8 and 7. The best way to illustrate this is to just use a much older OS like Windows XP. You'll go to click something and it won't be there... you don't need to try that, but you should be able to appreciate the point I'm making. So if you're asking the 'Should I get Windows 11 because my PC says it's an available upgrade?' question then I would immediately say the answer is no. Purely because you're asking the question. :D
☹️ help please Nic. I’ve done the command promo etc, but after closing the screens I get a “oops, you’ve lost internet connection” and there is a retry button. Suggestions please? Thank you
The cmd prompt trick no longer works for the local user at setup. You’ll need to use no@thankyou.com with any password. I’m assuming this is for the initial user account setup… Microsoft have changed the setup on newer versions of Windows 11, you now need to keep trying no@thankyou until it gives up and let’s you create a local account. Take a look at the video description. 🙂
Great. Why not get rid all the bloatwares before doing update? This way, you will essentially have a lean and mean machine and you can let windows update do its own thing while you go to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, coming back, voila, you're ready to do your computing!
You can do that if you want, but I do updates first - just in case they break something causing a reimage. Only because I *used* to fix the bloat first and then update - until one day I did that and Windows broke itself, so I had to re-image and do it all over again! Sometimes the updates remove some of the bloat Windows Updates spots as being incompatible too. So I update first and then go after the bloat once I'm sure Windows is happy... :P
Not without Win 11 Pro… but… Your laptop might have the multimedia functions enabled by default. So try pressing shift and Fn + F10 instead of just Shift and F10. ;)
MSI will not let me proceed after following this guidance to disable the network. It forces me back to the original screen after I use task manager to disable the network... and won't let me bypass it.
Check the video description… Newer versions of Win11 can’t use the method in the video. But… if you use no@thankyou.com as the account name and anything as the password for it then it should report an error with the account and then allow a local user. 🙂
Hi, help, just fired up brand new Dell Inspiron 15 3525, however when trying to avoid internet connection, pressing shift/f10 nothing happens, like you I don’t like being railroaded! Any ideas please?
Hi Nic, this is really fighting me now, expanding Network Connection flow there is runtime broker as well. Ending task just tells me I’ve lost connection and to retry. This is now beyond me. Regards Mark.
How to get this first time setup again in laptop ?? I mean to make a very fresh laptop like you. Everyone says that to reset this pc.After resetting my laptop i dont have the word,excel, PowerPoint icon. So i logged in to my Microsoft account and I clicked services and subscription and i clicked on install Microsoft office student 2021 at 92% it shows error couldn't install and throws a error code. In my laptop i have a pre built windows 11 home os and Ms office student 2021 version but when i try to install at 92% it says error couldn't install. So i want my laptop to new like fresh setup from the starting so i can install ms office at windows setup(configuration). Please help me dude I was searching a solution for the past 4 months even Microsoft can't help me..
I live in France ( therefore the region must be set France) but I want an English operating system (QWERTY keyboard). How do I achieve this? Many thanks.
It’s not very well hidden… it’s just Microsoft being conscious of users that don’t want or need a Microsoft Account. Windows is more open than the Apple and Google operating systems.
Anyone need to start over?? I put the wrong name in it. I'm setting it up for my parents, BUT I tend to it (updates etc) I'm stuck at the part where they want me to bring stuff over from a different computer. I don't want to do that yet. I need to just get it up and running first. To make sure it will work right BEFORE I put stuff on it. Any ideals?
Try pressing Shift and F10. If the command prompt appears then type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press return. Hopefully that will restart the setup at the choose a network point.
I have 9 Microsoft 365 and each one has different letters,for example-microsoft - ar-sa and the next one below those 9 is microsoft 365 (office) and i have 9 microsoft onenote. Should i uninstall all 9 microsoft onenote and all 10 microsoft 365?. I can get rid of xbox and minecraft education because i never use it.
If you don’t use Office 365 then you can uninstall all of them. If you do use Office 365 (or another version of Office) then you can still uninstall all of them and then instal the version you own once they’ve gone. 🙂
Canada and the USA probably follow the same conventions for date/time/keyboard/numbers, so you probably won't notice any difference. But if you live in Canada, then select Canada. You can usually add the correct Locale after Windows has finished anyway - the main thing is the keyboard layout and to make life easier you'll want to math that to what's printed on the keys.
@@sterntechdaddy Thanks for the quick reply back. very appreciated. Ordered myself a new Legion5 so teaching myself what T's to cross and I"s to dot while in freight. Making it a local user, and seeing what bloat should all be removed. It'll be switched to Chrome and Thunderbird. I know Chrome collects to but prefer it. I think they all do. I think when a person purchases a quick computer he should try to keep it that way rather than let B Gates control it...
@@sterntechdaddy sure is, like buying up the planet's farmland, and raising bugs for our benefit. To say the least. All through the foundation so no tax need to be adjusted and paid..
Try pressing shift and then Fn + F10. It's common for laptops to use the special features of the function keys - rather than their legacy usage. Originally, the top row of F keys weren't labelled because you could configure for the specific program you were using. The multimedia controls now use this row - with the actual Function key being a secondary feature activated by the Fn key on the bottom left of the keyboard. :)
Also, since my new laptop has got windows defender, is there any need to install another antivirus on it? If yes, how do I set up Norton and windows defender working at the same time?
You shouldn’t have two AV programs running at once and Windows will disable Defender when a third party program is installed anyway. You’re free to spend money how you like, but I actually disable Defender and haven’t got AV I stalled at all. I’m going to do a video on it soon.
I use the only thing that is actually important... the interface between the chair and the keyboard. :P I'm making a video about this... so stay tuned.
@@sterntechdaddy We've discovered that with machines pre-installed with Windows 11 S Mode, this won't work. You'll have to connect to Wifi then pull the plug on Wifi power when it asks to sign in with Microsoft Account. With no internet, click "Create Account" and it'll default to the local user screen. I Tried it this way and it worked. Thanks for you help Nic.
@@noimspartacus9419 Interesting... I've only had contact with Win11 Home in full fat mode. Win 11 Pro allows it without a trick. I did see the 'kill the router' trick, but thankfully didn't need to try it as the CMD end task has worked every time so far.
@@noimspartacus9419 I just might... but it's difficult to know what specific things to cover. So if you have any ideas then I'd be more than happy to hear them. Don't worry about how it sounds... there are no stupid questions, but there's plenty of people who'll give you stupid answers if it means they can sell you something. ;D
The only real alternative is Linux… but there are loads of different releases… For hacking it’s Kali, for first time users uBuntu is great, and there are various education themed distributions like Mint which are great for kids. The best operating system is the one you are most familiar with though. 😜
You just visit the Installed Apps control panel and click there. Or right click on them on the Staart menu and select unistall. If you don't see uninstall as an option then the App is integrated into Windows and cannot be removed using conventional methods.
They should uninstall using Installed Apps, but McAfee has a removal tool which you should also run... download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/SupportTools/MCPR/MCPR.exe Full McAfee support page is here: www.mcafee.com/support/?articleId=TS101331&page=shell&shell=article-view It depends on the version of Windows 11 your device has installed. There's a legacy Control Panel for installing - you might find Wildtangent and McAfee there. But if you allow Windows 11 to update fully that should mean both of these programs are in the main Installed Apps.
Install just Win11. Even if your CPU and TPM situation means that the installer halts, you can create a USB that skips the checks using Rufus and install it anyway.
Not sure what that means, but you can bypass it or just sign out and use a local account once Windows is up and running. Or keep a Microsoft Account... Generally, if you can't think of a reason to have a Microsoft account then using a local account is a better idea.
Thank you so much for your detailed video, it really helped me. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to help us all here. I personally would love to buy you that cup of coffee. PAYPAL?.. Thanks again. You're amazing.
People can show extra gratitude using the Kofi button and/or Google Super Thanks. No obligation, obviously, but all revenues are put into improving content. I don’t want a sports car or larger house. 😁 Glad it helped.
I realise that… but newer versions of Windows 11 insist on an internet connection or the setup won’t continue. You can’t use the F10 trick to kill the connection process anymore. But don’t worry… the no@thankyou.com still works. But if you *really* want to avoid going online then you can use Rufus to create a custom Windows setup USB that has a local account made already - and it can skip the prerequisite check for TPM. 😁 See here… rufus.ie/en/# Take a look at the fourth image as it shows the options you can tick. 😜 Rufus is actually excellent … you can also make a WindowsToGo stick - which is brilliant as a tech tool because it’s not a WORM boot CD/DVD and you’re free to instal whatever you want and keep the tools (like Macrium Reflect!) updated. 🙂
You can sign out and back in with a local account - so don't worry. You can also do a reset and start the setup process again if you want to. Note that there are advantages to having a Microsoft Account - most people tend to have one because Windows said they needed one and not because they can think of a reason to have one. So logging in with a Microsoft Account is the same as logging in with a local user account except the local account seems faster and leaner. I'm not going to talk about 'privacy' and those kind of worries - but I do plan on making a proper video about this.
Newer version of Windows 11 have disabled the Shift F10.... so try this instead... When its asks you for the login, use 'no@thankyou.com' and then anything for the password. It'll say there's a problem and then let you create a local account. It's mentioned in the description... :)
Technically Ethernet refers to a cabled connection to the Internet, rather than anything being normal… Sound like your Wi-Fi is what you want to use… If your laptop is new then make sure Wi-Fi is enabled… there’s usually a Fn key for that. If you are reinstalling Windows after erasing the laptop then you might need a driver. That’s rare, but not impossible. So check the keyboard for some indication the Wi-Fi is enabled first.
The bit at about the 4 minute mark where you do shift+ F10 to bypass the thing where you would otherwise be linking the laptop to a specific MS account is so helpful! I have always hated that step,
Glad it helped.
It did not work for me.
@@garlicgirl3149 Try this…
When it asks for a Microsoft Account email, use no@thankyou.com
And enter anything for the password.
It should then say there’s a problem with the account and let you proceed with the setup using a local account.
😁
@@sterntechdaddy That is what ended up working.
Excellent!
:D
Thanks for this amazing video, Nic; I just got a new laptop couple of days ago and your tutorial greatly helped me in setting up the laptop and removing the bloatware and other stuff. Good job.
Glad it helped! 🙂
I have just purchased a Windows 11 laptop (different brand) and found this video VERY usefull. Subscribed and saved for later completion.. Thank you for a comprehensive guide.
Thanks for the sub!
Read the description though... the method for bypassing the Microsoft Account login changes... Currently, the Pro version allows local accounts via the setup for business option. Home is more problematic as you can't skip the account login anymore, but if you're happy to use a Microsoft Account then there's no problem.
The tweaks still apply.
Nic, thank you so much for your informative video. I had recently bought an ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED and followed your setup guide. I had to resort to the Shift Fn F10 and it worked ok. Everything worked just as you explained it. Many thanks.
Glad I could help!
Ok. So. Wow. My Sony Vaio is 14 years old - such a great computer - still ticking along. I think it's running Win 7.1 (?). Just got a new Dell Alienware, running Win 11. Overwhelm is real. My old computer feels like ... well, a computer. The new one ... like a glorified smartphone? Why do I need a Microsoft account just to turn on and use my computer? How do I make it just turn on and let me use it, without sign-in, PIN, account sync, etc? And what are all these phone-like apps, such as Disney Plus? Is it just advertising? Is it just me or has the whole experience become a more commercial one, and a less utilitarian one? Thank you so much for this video. I'm starting here, with your recommendations. 😊
For your specific questions…
Set a local user account with no password - it’ll then boot straight to the desktop with no login/PIN/etc needed.
Disney have paid Microsoft to have their App preinstalled. Right mouse click on it and then click uninstall.
Similarly for other Apps you see but don’t intend to use.
It’s the computer equivalent to all the little advertising leaflets that used to fall out of magazines… if you remember that…
😀
I don’t especially mind and I don’t find it sinister… you just need to tidy things up a bit before you use the laptop.
Just like adjusting the mirrors and tuning the radio on a new car before you drive away…
@@sterntechdaddy thank you so much! Keep up the great vids too please, they are so helpful!
@@oreoandoz7723 Thanks!
Exactly was I need.👍 Thank You. Have a good Black Week! 🖖 from Sweden 😊
Glad it helped!
:)
Have always found the search icon on the taskbar quite redundant. We can always search through the Start icon.
And also w.r.t. the new context menu, you make sense about the copy paste icons. But for users like me, who unzip via 7zip a lot. An 'Extract here' option is quite annoying now. There should be some customisation available, so that the user gets to decide which app specific options can be present.
I think this is because of the irritating Web search it does…
But…
If you turn that off then the search box is actually faster at finding and running things than any other method.
😁
I might do a video on it to prove it…
Enjoy your coffee, you certainly earned it. Great video. I have a new windows 11 desktop on the way and it looks like 90%+ of what you have shown will apply.
Glad it helped.
The 10% depends upon what bloat you've got installed... this varies...
HP is probably the worst, and Lenovo the best for that.
:)
Thanks for this great video. I'm about to set up a new laptop and have a MS account. Is there any reason why I shouldn't log into the account rather than skip this part of the process?
Yes, but also no!
There are advantages and disadvantages to having a Microsoft Account - but you don't have to use it as an account on your PC though.
You can use a local account and then use the Microsoft Account with other services - like OneDrive, Office, etc.
I'm going to make a video as I get asked about it pretty often. You don't need to wait until I've published it though...
I have a thought up a simple rule - if you're asking about it then you can't think of a clear reason to have one. So use a local account.
:D
Hi Nic, Thanks for such a helpfull video, it was a real help in the tasks I was doing.
Very useful videoNic, I’ve just set up a new laptop and found this very instructive
Glad it helped. :)
thank you for the guidance! really found the video useful and have applied similar settings on my newly purchased laptop 😄
Glad it helped!
The SSD is unlikely to fail completely on a new device but we don't know when our SSD's will fail so it's common sense to backup data on more than one storage device for peace of mind.
I like and need to ask people about their thoughts on anything that i need help with. We learn by talking and asking questions. Going by what you said,i have decided the best option is to set up my pc using the methods described in your video.
I remember seeing a video title about how to obtain a local account offline and hopefully without having to use and deal with the dreaded and unwanted microsoft account. If i can't find it or it's too difficult then i will come back to your video. 😊
To save you a bit of time…
Newer versions of Windows 11 have blocked the F10 trick, but don’t worry.
When it asks for the Microsoft Account email use no@thankyou.com
Enter anything for the password.
It’ll report an error… then it’ll allow you to make a local account.
I mention it in the description for this video.
😜
One thing about NIT being a computer whiz is how many times you have to watch and look up words used... OMG 😣. Thank you 😊
Just remember that the words are usually just the names of things - rather than anything more complicated than that.
:P
Great overall information about the Windows 11 startup process!! I wanted to ask a question about the same procedure but on an HP Laptop (15-dy2024) instead of a Dell. Should I delete all of the HP programs as well? I want them to go away so HP will be less interruptive when using the computer. The only Dell app you kept was power management I believe. I am just not sure if any particular HP apps need to stay on the laptop to allow the laptop to function properly. I will definitely use the Shift F10 tip to set up a local account and delete McAfee apps, however I am unsure of HP apps deletion impact sir. Thank you for the extremely helpful video!!
If the laptop is still new then you can remove whatever you like - if something does go wrong simply reset it and it'll restore everything to the original factory state.
Just make a note of the last ting your removed...
For HP you can remove everything relating to HP Support - if you run task manager then you'll see a whole load of background tasks relating to that.
:D
@@sterntechdaddy Great additional tips. They are truly appreciated. Yes, I can imagine there is no shortage of HP support items...
@@cfox20104 I think at least 5 things have be routinely uninstalled...
You just need to be cautious with things involving power management and Fn keys.... but the HP web site has a full set of drivers and applications in case people have to do a vanilla Windows install because the recovery partition isn't available.
So if you do get problems after you uninstall something you can put it back... just make a note of what you're taking off...
:D
Hi Nic. You mention in your video that you were thinking of doing another tutorial on doing a 'clean install' of Windows on a new laptop to replace the OS that comes shipped by the manufacturer (in my case, Windows 11 with the copious amount of bloatware from Dell and Microsoft...)
In summary, I would like to do a clean install of Windows 10 Pro (i.e. with the least amount of bloatware possible) and then install the correct drivers on my Dell Inspiron 7506. I am doing this because: (1) I tried to 'like' Windows 11 - but still absolutely hate it!!! and (2) your video made me aware of all the crap we are forced to have on our computers, which seems to be increasingly for the purposes of: (1) advertising; (2) to force you to use their products; and (3) some obscure data collection process which I am sure they somehow are trying to monetize or otherwise 'help' us in ways we never requested...
Also, I am not sure of my options for obtaining a 'clean' version of Windows 10 Pro. It seems the options are: (1) buy from Microsoft Store online for $169 AUD; (2) buy from some random 3rd party for between $20 - $60 AUD; or (3) buy nothing and just use an unregistered version until/ if I decide to do either (1) or (2)... I can't help feeling that options (2) and (3) are somehow dodgy!
Anyhow, I will press on with the above - but if you were thinking of a topic for your next video, the above is my suggestion.
Cheers, Mike
It’s something I’ll do once I have made thought about a method that will work well enough to be universal.
But you don’t need to buy Windows - the embedded licence key on your Windows 11 device should work with Windows 10.
Assuming you’ve got Windows 11 Pro then you can create a Windows 10 Pro installation USB stick and use that.
Note that Microsoft will drop support for Windows 10 in a few years so if you really don’t like Windows 11 then before you put on Windows 10 I would suggest a clean install if Windows 11 first…
I love you so much 🎉🎉it was so helpful 🎉🎉
Glad it helped!
Can you do a video, about OS Preinstalled vs Another OS you want have in a new laptop or new PC computer, Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro, or Windows 10 Home vs Ubuntu Studio, in other words, preinstalled OS on a new computer, has any advantage over the other OS you wanted instead, and you go and use the latter than the preinstalled OS…?
I can. But take a look at my video about FreeDOS laptops…
ua-cam.com/video/OUx8-Vtcg2Y/v-deo.html
🙂
Love the content, consisely put. Just curious though, why delete Dell Support isn't this the quickest way to update bios and drivers etc without all the faff?
If you have a DELL laptop then open up Task Manager and take a look at all the DELL background processes...
There's really no need to update drivers if everything works anyway - because... why fix something if it's not broken?
:)
Windows 11 will actually update firmware and drivers using Windows Update if it needs to - so having extra DELL software running seems unnecessary to me.
What did you use to record screen again, ninja or something? Can you give me the full name of it and other options, im planning to buy whatever you recommend, thanks again like always
It's an Atomos Ninja V with a Samsung SSD in it.
Check it out here: www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v
I don't have any of the fancy addons for it - its meant for pro video and film making which the link above focusses on. I just use it to record the HDMI output of desktops and laptops - so just the device and a 1TB SSD.
Watch out for less obvious extras that Atomos try and sell... they charge extra to activate common codecs on the Ninja so I record and then copy the RAW so HandBreak can recode for actual editing for free.
Note that I'm not affiliated with Atomos or Samsung - just being honest when answering your question.
:D
Great video. Thank you very much.
I do have a question too, I know in Windows 10 you could lessen the space used for system restore. Can you do it in 11, do you suggest doing it and if so, what capacity do you recommend? Thank you.
System Restore in Windows 11 is essentially the same as previous versions of Windows. Since XP in fact.
Click the search icon on the task bar and type in 'system '.
That should be enough to show 'Create a restore point' as a 'Best match' result. Click on it and you should see the System Protection tab of the main System Properties.
Click the 'Configure' button to adjust the space that System Restore is allowed to use.
System Restore is BRILLIANT when it works... and the thing to remember is the 'when it works' part.
It's not a magic trick that will fix everything, but it can be the only thing that fixes certain problems.
So I wouldn't turn it off, and I would generally leave it on the default settings if you've got a main drive with a typical capacity.
Devices with low capacity eMMC drives are worth tweaking - those with less than 120GB.
But as SSD prices have dropped most laptops and desktops will have 250GB or more - in which case the advantages of System Restore are more important than the drive space it uses.
Note that disabling hibernation and deleting the OEM recovery partition can free up as much as 30GB anyway. But that's another video if you're interested.
:D
Hello Nic, this was a really great video and i really appreciate all your great insights. I'm getting this exact same laptop and was wondering if you'd recommend doing a clean install of windows 11 from a usb before starting it up? I think you mention something along these lines at 29:32 when you're talking about the 20gb partition space lying around.
If it was my laptop then I’d reinstall and wipe the existing partitions.
If you open Disc Management (right mouse click on Start button) then you can check how must space is really being used by the recovery partition.
It’s normally around 23GB.
With DELL you just need to be aware that some models have DELL software installed that you sometimes need for full function of devices…
In the past, this has been for Fn key operation, power management, and MaxxAudio Pro for the sound.
So it’ll be a good idea to have the product driver download page available just in case.
Don’t worry though… it is easier just to leave it, but 23GB is worth an hour reinstalling and tidying up anything that Windows missed.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy Thank you sir!
@@dennisgeorge2742 No problem.
Hi Nic, I adore your Setup Guide, small problem for a very old guy, I did not understand at what point and how you connect to WiFi to be able to update Win11. Thank so much!
Any time after you've done the initial account setup - assuming you don't want to use a Microsoft Account.
I tend to do it after removing some of the bloat, but the key is that you'll know it's updating once its on the Internet. So you can expect activity and leave it to get on with it.
Amazing video, just what I was looking for. Question, your thoughts on disabling/deleting the annoying Bitlocker Recovery Key I'm asked for when my laptop sits quiet for a long time (Windows 11)
Generally, if you don’t have any specific data security concerns then I would disable Bitlocker completely.
It might be worth doing a video on this as it doesn’t take long to explain so people can decide for themselves.
It's been well over 13yrs since I used Microsoft. So this vid is really helpful, thank you!
One question tho, you used the laptop immediately out of the box. But I keep reading that before you do anything with a new laptop, you should charge it for 24hrs, to get the most out of the battery. Is that really the best thing to do, or makes it no difference at all? Thank you in advance✌🏾🦖
Modern batteries don’t need this kind of conditioning so don’t worry.
Just use the laptop as you want to.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy thank you so much for getting back to me!👍🏾
No problem.
Glad it helped.
I believe this is one of the best if not the best video about this topic. I haven't watched this video yet but from what i have been reading about it,it doesn't mention anything about taking a snapshot of the pc (also known as a system image) and i want to know why not?. I am interested to know people's views on this. 😊
It takes less than 15 minutes to install the newer versions of Windows from a USB stick. With personal data increasingly being stored in Cloud services you often only have to sign in to have your data restored after a reinstall.
A Microsoft Account sign in will also configure Office for you too.
Usually just entering your email and password is enough to get Outlook working.
It’s much easier to reinstall now… so the pressure to make a system image is much less.
This might be worth discussing in a video….
I really don't have a lot of experience setting up my laptop to run efficiently. I also don't know what you were doing to the property settings and what it is changing, not to mention that I don't even know what indexing is. I'm worried if I make the changes, sometime in the future a situation will come up that my lack of knowledge will create a disaster. Do you have a video that goes a little deeper into describing what the new settings are changing?
I don't have another video that details the tweaks...
But these are the tweaks I do on every laptop and PC I configure for customers.
Most of these tweaks are also rather old - the visual effects actually date back to Windows XP.
If you follow the video and carefully make the same changes then you'll be fine - you can stop, pause, rewind as much as you like.
My advice would be to just use your laptop for a week or so after logging in and then come back to this video and do the tweaks... see if they make a difference.
:)
You can use a local user account or a Microsoft account - that's up to you.
I do intend to make a video describing the advantages and disadvantages of those accounts soon.
@@sterntechdaddy thank you!
Hope it helps.
@sterntechdaddy, thanks for sharing this video. I actually just received a laptop with the windows 11 today. I've just made my first mistake by not plugging it in before hitting the power button! I don't know how I missed that step from the small manual but I did! Now I am still stuck on what region to choose! 0:43 I figure if I select Canada I'll wind up having limited use and browsing abilities. 😐 I thought your video was very helpful, and I was hopeful, thought I could follow along but since reading the edits I don't have enough confidence in myself to do it alone. I wish it wasn't the case! Btw I'm 3 hours into the set up. Okay, but for 2 hours I just let the battery charge. 😂
I'm not sure about Canada... they probably have a fairly relaxed and sensible attitude to the Internet, but you should just choose the region where you live because that will setup time zones and keyboard mapping correctly.
You also don't need to wait for it to charge - you can use it immediately if the mains is connected and turned on.
You can pause the video and rewind too... so just take your time. If the video doesn't match your particular laptop then don't worry - just do the bits that do match.
:)
This is really helpful (waiting for my new laptop to arrive), but do you have a video specifically for HP Pavilion? I’ve not done this process before so I’m a bit scared I’ll uninstall something for HP! Thank you
I used a HP device for two reasons… the first being that it had been handed to me for setup by a customer.
The second was that HP generally have the most bloat installed so it was also the best example of configuration I could show.
Lenovo, for example, have much less bloat so using one of those wouldn’t have made the video very helpful.
But that was a bonus… the main reason was because it was a laptop I had being worked on in the workshop.
🙂
Note that for my own laptops I erase everything and reinstall using a vanilla Microsoft USB made using the Media Creation Tool. This also frees up an extra 25GB of space that a recovery image partition normally uses.
There’s nothing really HP specific that you need anyway.
Older laptops often needed a bit of software to handle the function key media controls, but new ones tend to work without that.
And if you do notice something that Windows doesn't spot then you can find what you need on the support downloads page for your specific model anyway.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy thank you
Any pros or cons for unlocking "ultimate power scheme" ? Thats the only deviation i really made from this step by step....
It depends how much time the laptop gets used away from the mains... but initially, turning off all the automatic power saving is helpful for Windows Update.
I tend not to dwell on this except to also set the 'what happens when I close the lid' option to 'do nothing'.
So you can close the laptop up and carry it from room to room safely - without worrying about sleep mode kicking in.
:D
Does this setup at the starting require again if the laptop is factory reset
Since , i am buying a new laptop so i am worried that it may be a used one ,
So for a used one is there any chance of entering the staring setup again
Or how can we identify it pls reply ❤❤❤
Used laptops are normally reset to their factory state if the original hard drive is working - so you'll get the same as shown in this video. There might be a slight difference if your laptop is HP or Lenovo as they might have separate signup screens for their software, but it'll be 99% the same procedure. That's entirely normal.
The local account trick shown doesn't work with newer versions of Windows 11, but if you don't mind using a Microsoft Account or have the Pro version installed then that won't matter. There is a method for Home that skips the Microsoft Account which I can tell you if you need it.
If you're worried about your new laptop actually being new rather than second hand then the easiest way to spot that is to check the box seals - they will be unbroken if the device is definitely brand new.
You can also check the internal packaging and the cable ties for the charger - that sort of thing is very difficult to return to an original factory state so it should be pretty obvious that the device has been used and then repackaged if it actually has. New devices are also immaculate - so wear or marks on the touchpad, USB sockets, keyboard, etc are going to be easy to spot if it's not brand new.
Also the price... if you're getting a laptop for price that's surprising then check the model online to see what the prices are like in other shops of it went out of stock a while ago.
You might also find reviews that data back longer than expected... a 'new' laptop shouldn't have reviews from several years ago. And for a DELL you can check the Service Tag on the DELL website to see what information that yields.
Hope this helps.
:)
Tq nic❤
Will this be the same process with an acer laptop.
Thanks for sharing 👏
Yes.
The ACER won’t have the Dell software on it, obviously, but you’ll be able to do everything else on your laptop.
@@sterntechdaddy thanks 😊
@@noimspartacus9419 No problem. Hope it helps.
Is there an even more pronounced way to resolve the file explorer visual problem at 25:36? Your method still seems subtle for these old eyes. I really need something that makes it super clear immediately which one is the focus.
This is Microsoft… rather than me…
😁
The border accent colour for File Explorer doesn’t work in the same way as for other programs.
Other programs get the full bar coloured in, but File Explorer just gets a subtle hue around the edge.
Maybe they’ll fix that in a future update.
And also move the Shutdown button from the right to the left of the Start menu because that’s irritating too.
😁
Command prompt ipconfig/release does the same.
There's an easier method... one that doesn't involve typing anything into a CMD prompt.
:P
Hello Nic
Great video. But I am struggling with the shift and f10 key. When I press the key like you say, it brings up window with sticky keys option.
Any help please?
Check your laptop for the Fn key...
You might need to press Shift + Fn + F10
:)
Hello Nic, thanks for the video! Enjoyed it. Do you think it's necessary to clone Windows before doing driver updates? I'm looking to clone to an external hard drive using Macrium Reflect, but not sure if that would work. As far as I know you can't boot from the external unless you take it apart and attach the HDD into the laptop?
You will need to swap the drives over…
So if you want to do this then get a USB3-SATA cable and a bare 2.5” SSD.
Assuming you’ve got a 2.5” drive rather than an M.2 of course.
I have another video showing this if you need more help, but I think you can work it out for yourself.
🙂
And you don’t really need to clone before updates… I normally do it only when upgrading a drive rather than using it as a back up.
You’ll still need to apply updates to the clone anyway…
@@sterntechdaddy Hey Nic, hope you are well. Thank you very much for the assistance - I appreciate your reply. To make a simple backup, I used Macrium Reflect and did a system image to an external HDD that is formatted NTFS. Then formatted a USB to FAT32 and used that to become the Rescue function for booting. Saw that method from Bracer Jack. I've gone through your Windows 10 and Windows 11 videos, and just want to say a big thanks man. God bless - John 14:6
Excellent.
Note that Clonezilla might be easier... it's free.
clonezilla.org/
Its DOS based so looks scary and technical, but really simple to use if you ignore all the features you don't need.
I might do a video on it.
:D
@@sterntechdaddy Hmm I haven't come across it before. Would be interested to see your video on it (should you make one :D)! Thanks again for all the help. If I could make a suggestion, a tutorial where you do a quick example of making a system image for a brand new computer and then go through the boot process (like with Macrium Reflect). Once that's done, you can link to a video where you setup the OS for that new computer. Just seems like people want to find a 5min video to do a system image, and you can capitalise on that to have a separate tutorial for setup. A title could be: New computer MOST IMPORTANT step, or, Systems Image new computer etc. Not trying to tell you what to do, just think your material is helpful and perhaps that can trigger the algorithm a bit.
I'll do that...
Note that I listen to all suggestions.
And use most of them...
:p
Hi Nic, what about the video on "How to Install Windows on a Blank Machine"? I have learnt a lot from this video
Been too busy to make it…
I will though…
Essentially it’s the same as this, apart from the initial stages.
I would not remove the recovery partition it’s there just in case you still recover if needs be besides you always back up files on the cloud
Have a think about when you would need it...
This is usually when there's a drive failure... and there's no point restoring from a broken drive to the same broken drive!
:D
Plus it only takes 10 minutes to reinstall a vanilla version of Windows from a USB stick made using the Media Creation Tool.
I have videos about that too.
So removing the recovery partition is well worth it as it's usually 20GB of space you can put to better use.
I don't like cloud services because i heard the data can easily be permanently lost and hacked. If possible,i will do everything i can to avoid using a microsoft account.
If you don't mind,i would like you to watch a 5.5 minute video on the bracer jack youtube channel titled- do this before using your new laptop.
Please reply with your thoughts on it. How would you suggest setting up a new out of the box pc?. Do you recommend following bracer jack or your video or both, starting with bracer jack and then your video. 😊
I've always pointed out to customers that cloud services are just other peoples computers and some of my customer simply can't use the Cloud for security reasons.
Even so, it is rather cool to see a new laptop set itself up by just entering a Microsoft account - it does need an Office 365 licence associated with it though.
:D
I set up every computer I've ever seen using the methods described in my video. This includes computers for myself and new customers machine - ion addition to all the customers machines I've had in for repair.
I watch the video you mentioned - it just suggests using Macrium Reflect to make a system image.
I have used that in the past, but for a new laptop this is not really necessary. The hard drive already has a system image on it - and it's using about 23GB of space too. So a Macrium image would only be handy if the hard drive fails completely - which is unlikely on a new device. And you need a sioutable device to store the image on.
There's a good chance that this device could fail when the time comes to actually restore it too. Back up is having data in more than one place. I've seen a few puzzled faces when people reach for the drive they have labelled 'Back Up' and its the only copy of the data - not fun if that drive hasn't been used for a while and develops a fault.
I can see how it would be handy for professionals with a range of third party software installed - you could set everything up and then image it. That's what businesses and education does to make deployment and repair easier. I've done that in the past.
But for a general home user I don't see the point.
Might be worth me doing another video about this...
Note that you're free to decide what to do yourself - I'm not trying to tell you what to do.
:)
i hate the most is we didnt get option for both windows 11 and windows 10 on new laptops as no rollback options
The licence key should work with 10, but I’ve not tried it.
Might be interesting to see what happens…
Nic. The shift f10 did nothing on my new Windows 11 Home. Nothing. Acer Aspire 5. 03/21/2023.
Try pressing the Fn key and F10.
Also the newest version of Windows 11 has nerfed the trick, but if you use no@thankyou.com as the email with anything you like as the password it should barf and then let you continue and create a local account.
😁
Cheers! Worked like a charm
Glad it helped!
great and informative video! thank you for doing this.
Glad it was helpful!
And thanks for taking the time to add a supportive comment.
:)
@@sterntechdaddy Hi Nic. Can I send a thank you with paypal?
There's a Kofi link and a UA-cam Super Thanks.
:)
@@sterntechdaddy i don't see anything for paypal ;-(
There isn't anything publicly available for PayPal.
Kofi and Super Thanks are what people use, but I'm not typing this on the sun drenched deck of a massive yacht if you see what I mean.
:D
Hi Nic, great videos here. I found a discrepancy with my Dell laptop Win11 Home. In the Connect to Network section you say hit Shift F10 to get a command prompt. When I do that I get no response at all, and I'm not sure how to get the command prompt at that point. Do you have a suggestion? Thanks.
Try pressing Shift and Fn + F10
Some laptops need Fn pressing to swap the media control to the legacy functions.
:)
I purchased a Lenovo window 11 Laptop. When I click shift and f 10 will not respond.
Use the Fn key too…. 🙂
Hi Nic, very informative video…. Just got an hp DY2702DHP laptop and tried the shift + f10 combo unfortunately it did not work for me… Any help… thanks
Try shift and Fn + F10
:)
The 'Fn' key is on the bottom left of the keyboard - usually. Some laptops need the Fn key pressed to enable the F10 key - they default to the media functions instead.
Thanks Nic... at around 3.36 of your video you show 'a little trick' to set up a local user account on Windows Home 11 PC - by hitting 'SHIFT F10'... For some reason, when I am trying to do this on my new Dell Inspiron 7506 2n1 - it does nothing and refuses to bring up a command prompt window... Am I doing something wrong, or has Dell/ Microsoft done something to stop your trick from working? Cheers, Mike
Your laptop might need you to press the Fn key too…
So try Shift and then Fn + F10.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy YES!!! that works - Many thanks
Glad it helped.
Great video, thank you
Glad you liked it!
Thanks man! Subbed.
Thanks for the sub!
Glad the vid helped. 🙂
Hi Nic, what is your advice on conserving the strength of the battery on Dell Laptop? A Dell Tech once told me to unplug the power source once I am done working with the laptop. That is never leave the laptop connected to power source
The only devices I see with battery issues are old devices. So age is the issue rather than any specific battery rituals that people have or haven't performed. It just seems like folklore to suggest that you can't leave your laptop plugged in.
The battery chemicals deteriorate naturally - typically after about 4 years of use. Your DELL laptop battery will stop working.
Try typing opening an admin CMD prompt and type;
powercfg /batteryreport
Then copy/paste the link is makes into your Web browser. That will tell you all about the state of your battery. You can copy the file somewhere safe and rename it. Then run the command again (next year!) and see if anything has changed.
The conventional battery conditioning advice (i.e. leave on charge overnight, unplug and then use until the battery is drained completely before charging again, etc.) should be followed if the instructions that came with the device tell you to do it. I've seen this recently on a Nokia phone, for example, but not on the new laptops I've had in the workshop for customers.
Literally millions and millions of laptops have been sold... so I just think that there would be an industry changing number of people with battery problems if leaving a laptop plugged in was going to cause trouble.
What device did you use to record your screen without any software?
I use an Atomos Ninja V monitor/recorder device - you can read about it here:
www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v
Note that I have no affiliation or sponsorship links to Atomos. Unfortunately...
:D
Can i buy that?
@@leonardoalfonsopanganiban5084 Of course!
It depends upon where you live... Go here...
www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v
Then click the 'Where to buy' button on the top right. Select your country and it'll suggest some places you can buy it from.
You'll also need to get an SSD too - you can get whatever size you like but it needs to be a 2.5" model and there isn't one included with the Ninja.
I have a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO in mine.
when pressing f10 can you also check the gpu,cpu etc
I find it hard to run an App I downloaded, because it will keep showing the Microsoft store each time I click on run App. What do I do?
That’s a question not linked to the video so I’m not able to offer any help or advice directly.
Except to say that Googling might offer some solutions to try.
🙂
Bro how did you record your lappy's screen even your laptop is new and you are setting it up
I use an Atomos NINJA V plugged into the HDMI output using the wireless HDMI dongle I've reviewed. They don't make the NINJA V anymore though - it's been replaced by the NINJA and NINJA ULTRA but mine has the OS upgrade. It's a great device and records the screen perfectly.
Most laptops send a signal to the HDMI output independently of Windows when a display device is connected - by default this is a clone of the main screen - so the NINJA is the cheapest way of getting perfect recordings from anything with HDMI output.
:)
Thx
02:50 switch to ninja, what you mean, capture screen card of another PC…?
It’s a HDMI recording device…
www.atomos.com/products/ninja-v
So not a capture card or another PC; it’s a stand alone device.
🙂
Thanks for this. I just followed to set up my laptop.
I have an old hp envy laptop I have been using since 2014.
I am unable to download windows 11 on it.
Is there anyway I can do this?
You can force Win11 to install by using a modified installer, but if your CPU is too old and you’ve not got TPM then it won’t install without doing the mod.
Me again Nic, how do you set up your new laptop with administrator rights?
The first account you create always has Admin rights - so don’t worry.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy thanks Pet ☺️
does restoring windows using the native tool work? or if i want a clear version of windows i need to format it from scratch using an iso drive?
There's a couple of things to mention...
1. Using OEM recovery partition will restore the computer to the factory state when it was purchased - this includes all the drivers and OEM software. This is what usually happens when you choose the 'Reset' option from Windows settings - its in Update & Security -> Recovery. Some laptops have their own more formal application for doing this.
2. Using the Windows USB stick will install the plain version of Windows which will need some extra drivers installing after the desktop appears.
The first option isn't a good idea if the reason for any problems is a hard drive issue. It won't fix a faulty drive, obviously, and will just restore Windows onto the same drive - which will then become unstable.
If the drive is OK then this method can be used to Reset the PC and keep the documents while it does it. That's handy if you've not go anywhere else to put them - but you should have your stuff backed up if it's important anyway.
The second option is what you'll need to do on a new drive, but it has advantages for existing drives...
a) The recovery uses a partition on the hard drive which is roughly 23GB - so if you do a fresh installation of Windows on a new laptop using the USB stick you can delete this partition and reclaim that space.
b) The version of Windows on the USB stick doesn't have any of the OEM software installed - so you don't get any of the bloat I remove in this video.
c) It'll be cleaner and faster than the OEM version of Windows that using 'Reset' will put back.
But...
Windows installed from the Microsoft USB stick *might* be missing drivers and some functionality. This depends on the laptop though.
Some HP models, for example, have a little sensor to trigger a HDD lock if the laptop gets dropped and other laptops might be missing proper Fn key operation if the software for that isn't installed. This is getting much less frequent now, and newer versions of Windows will usually detect everything - so device manager will have no unknown devices in it. It's also extremely rare for anything Windows doesn't find to be a problem so unless you really like a tidy Device Manager you probably won't notice something hasn't ben identified.
You will have to update GPU drivers and double check the audio to see if it that gets identified as something other than generic HD audio.
But you should be able to find missing drivers on the manufacturers support page.
Hope this helps.
@@sterntechdaddy wow, i didnt expect this much explanation, it definitely helped a lot! I was thinking about using the Reset tool you mentioned in my brand new laptop, just to set up Windows as clean as possible (I havent even turned it on, so you know its a brand new laptop). But now, since you said this way of reseting doesn't get rid of the unwanted things, I'll just let them be and unninstall them manually. Thanks a lot!
I had a few minutes while a PC I was working on updated...
lol
Glad it helped.
Note that the tips I include in the video will optimise your laptop anyway...
It's a bit like vacuuming the house... you'll get a *total* clean if you take all the furniture out, vacuum the floor and then put back what you need...
but it doesn't really matter if you leave the sofa and don't bother vacuuming what you can't see.
:)
Damnn you Frankie!! This is where you’ve been hiding ;)
I don’t know what that means…
I’m assuming it’s a good thing though.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy I thought you sounded like frankieonpc
@@genesisbeast8831 At the time of this reply I don't know who that is.
But I will check later.
:P
I have passed this but I would like to do this. I have not logged into the internet yet . Can I still do this. If Ii do log in, is there a way to go back and undo?
You can switch to a local user after using a Microsoft Account to setup the computer for the first time.
Don’t worry!
Also you can perform a factory reset if you really want to try the video tips - assuming you’ve not used and don’t mind resetting.
Last year, we succesfully set up a Windows 11 laptop with an offline account..............until we wanted to download other browsers & drivers for our laser printers. Then it forced us to create a MS account.
Tomorrow, we want to set up another Windows 11 laptop & need to know how to avoid the MS demand, when we want to download Vivaldi, or Brave, or our printer drivers. HELP?
Once you’ve logged in using a local account it should allow anything to be downloaded and installed. But… make sure the local account is an Administrator.
I’m just thinking that if the computer is asking for a Microsoft account log in when you need to download and install software then it might be asking for permission from an account with higher rights than the one being used.
I’ve used local accounts for years and never had any problems downloading or installing anything.
would much of what you talked about change if it was a gaming laptop or not
The laptop featured in the video is a gaming laptop... Its a DELL G15 Series gaming laptop model 5511.
:D
@@sterntechdaddy ow lol don't realise that
Second line of the description...
😂
Don't worry... you're not the first to ask about that - and probably won't be the last.
@@sterntechdaddy lol
you got a new subscriber from New Zealand
A tip: with my laptop, SHIFT + F10 did not work. I had to use SHIFT + Fn + F10, now it works!
Mine took the same required adjustment to get into the task manager, but when I ended the task as shown, my MSI popped up a screen that said "woops, it looks like you're disconnected from the network" and only gave me the option of clicking on a button to try again and sent me right back where I was before attempting the task manager flow change. Grrrr... stuck into requiring a network connection before I can go further.
Newer versions of Windows 11 don't allow the network disconnect trick. But see the description for this video...
If you use no@thankyou.com as the username and anything as the password then you'll get an error - which will then allow you to create a local account.
:)
I have followed these instructions and my laptop still have my personal information. I need to return ir, and still not able do delete everything in it. Mine is Inspiron 14 any body knows how to do it, please 🙏 I done 3 different ways and no luck with this!!
Here’s one way…
www.howtogeek.com/762169/how-to-factory-reset-a-windows-11-pc/amp/
Remember to choose ‘remove everything’ if you don’t want to keep personal data.
When it said register and protect I’m not sure why it doesn’t let me press next
Is that shown in this video? If so can you give a timestamp...
If you laptop isn't a DELL then the initial stages will be slightly different, but a greyed out 'Next' button is usually fixed by scrolling down the text in the box above.
Its common to see some licence terms which they make you scroll through before you're allowed to accept and continue.
Hope that helps.
I have new hp laptop- windows 10 with option to to upgrade to 11 . I only want to use it for work . Should I decline ?
It's not really about whether or not Windows 11 is 'better' than Windows 10. It's actually about familiarity and change.
Windows 10 will be officially supported until 2025, so I would say that if you haven't got a compelling reason for getting Windows 11 then decline the update and keep using Windows 10 until you get a new laptop with it already on.
At this stage, business laptops will probably come with Windows 10 and offer the 'upgrade' to Windows 11 - most business IT systems will be using Windows 10 and there might be issues integrating a Windows 11 machine into it.
As you're asking this question I don't think you've got a compelling reason for getting Windows 11, but here's a few that I can think of...
1. You've got a NEW laptop - which will have Windows 11 on it.
2. You like to keep up with the latest version out of general interest or as a hobby.
3. You need to keep up with the latest version - because you're in the IT industry!
4. You've spotted something that's in Windows 11 that you might actually like.
Note that many of the new features are refinements that improve efficiency. And you won't notice them until you've used them for a while and then you revert back to Windows 10 and notice they are missing. The new right click context menu, for example, is actually much better than the Windows 10 version - I discuss this in the video.
This is actually true for ALL versions of Windows - some of the features you're using in Windows 10 weren't in Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.1 has features that weren't in WIndows 8 and 7.
The best way to illustrate this is to just use a much older OS like Windows XP. You'll go to click something and it won't be there... you don't need to try that, but you should be able to appreciate the point I'm making.
So if you're asking the 'Should I get Windows 11 because my PC says it's an available upgrade?' question then I would immediately say the answer is no. Purely because you're asking the question.
:D
@@sterntechdaddy thank you
Could you help me? After i reseted my wifi is not working at all nothing it there could you help??
Does it appear in device manager?
☹️ help please Nic. I’ve done the command promo etc, but after closing the screens I get a “oops, you’ve lost internet connection” and there is a retry button. Suggestions please? Thank you
The cmd prompt trick no longer works for the local user at setup.
You’ll need to use no@thankyou.com with any password.
I’m assuming this is for the initial user account setup…
Microsoft have changed the setup on newer versions of Windows 11, you now need to keep trying no@thankyou until it gives up and let’s you create a local account.
Take a look at the video description. 🙂
Great. Why not get rid all the bloatwares before doing update? This way, you will essentially have a lean and mean machine and you can let windows update do its own thing while you go to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, coming back, voila, you're ready to do your computing!
You can do that if you want, but I do updates first - just in case they break something causing a reimage.
Only because I *used* to fix the bloat first and then update - until one day I did that and Windows broke itself, so I had to re-image and do it all over again!
Sometimes the updates remove some of the bloat Windows Updates spots as being incompatible too.
So I update first and then go after the bloat once I'm sure Windows is happy...
:P
Hi! Any alternative to "shift + f10" to skip the network connection?
Not without Win 11 Pro… but…
Your laptop might have the multimedia functions enabled by default. So try pressing shift and Fn + F10 instead of just Shift and F10.
;)
@@sterntechdaddy Yes it works! Thank you!
MSI will not let me proceed after following this guidance to disable the network. It forces me back to the original screen after I use task manager to disable the network... and won't let me bypass it.
Check the video description…
Newer versions of Win11 can’t use the method in the video.
But… if you use no@thankyou.com as the account name and anything as the password for it then it should report an error with the account and then allow a local user.
🙂
For me the shift + F10 doesn't work. Nothing happens when I do it
Check the Fn key operation…
Some laptops have the media keys on default - you probably need to press Shift + Fn and F10.
🙂
Thank you! Your videos are really helpful 😃
Hi, help, just fired up brand new Dell Inspiron 15 3525, however when trying to avoid internet connection, pressing shift/f10 nothing happens, like you I don’t like being railroaded! Any ideas please?
The Shift/ fn + f10 brings up the command prompt, but cannot input text.😢
Sorry to be a num nut, Mac user normally. All sorted, just found out track pad needs replacing with mouse.
Hi Nic, this is really fighting me now, expanding Network Connection flow there is runtime broker as well. Ending task just tells me I’ve lost connection and to retry. This is now beyond me. Regards Mark.
OOBE\BYPASSNRO FIXED IT AND GIVES (I don’t have internet)etc option
You can also use no@thankyou.com as the account email with anything as the password to bypass it…
😉
How to get this first time setup again in laptop ?? I mean to make a very fresh laptop like you. Everyone says that to reset this pc.After resetting my laptop i dont have the word,excel, PowerPoint icon.
So i logged in to my Microsoft account and I clicked services and subscription and i clicked on install Microsoft office student 2021 at 92% it shows error couldn't install and throws a error code. In my laptop i have a pre built windows 11 home os and Ms office student 2021 version but when i try to install at 92% it says error couldn't install. So i want my laptop to new like fresh setup from the starting so i can install ms office at windows setup(configuration).
Please help me dude I was searching a solution for the past 4 months even Microsoft can't help me..
What error does it show?
After the reset it’s a good idea to remove any ore installed versions of Office before installing the version you own.
🙂
I live in France ( therefore the region must be set France) but I want an English operating system (QWERTY keyboard). How do I achieve this? Many thanks.
If you have a UK keyboard, then just set the keyboard layout to UK.
🙂
Hi nic the Shift + F10 isn’t working what should I do
You probably need to activate the Fn keys…
So press Shift and Fn + F10
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy thanks sir it worked
Why MS has hidden backdoor to bypass requiring MS acct?
It’s not very well hidden… it’s just Microsoft being conscious of users that don’t want or need a Microsoft Account.
Windows is more open than the Apple and Google operating systems.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Anyone need to start over?? I put the wrong name in it. I'm setting it up for my parents, BUT I tend to it (updates etc) I'm stuck at the part where they want me to bring stuff over from a different computer. I don't want to do that yet. I need to just get it up and running first. To make sure it will work right BEFORE I put stuff on it. Any ideals?
Try pressing Shift and F10. If the command prompt appears then type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press return.
Hopefully that will restart the setup at the choose a network point.
I have 9 Microsoft 365 and each one has different letters,for example-microsoft - ar-sa and the next one below those 9 is microsoft 365 (office) and i have 9 microsoft onenote. Should i uninstall all 9 microsoft onenote and all 10 microsoft 365?. I can get rid of xbox and minecraft education because i never use it.
If you don’t use Office 365 then you can uninstall all of them.
If you do use Office 365 (or another version of Office) then you can still uninstall all of them and then instal the version you own once they’ve gone.
🙂
Does it void your warranty
Absolutely not.
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy thanks 🙏
What would happen if you select United States as the region instead of Canada?
Canada and the USA probably follow the same conventions for date/time/keyboard/numbers, so you probably won't notice any difference.
But if you live in Canada, then select Canada.
You can usually add the correct Locale after Windows has finished anyway - the main thing is the keyboard layout and to make life easier you'll want to math that to what's printed on the keys.
@@sterntechdaddy Thanks for the quick reply back. very appreciated. Ordered myself a new Legion5 so teaching myself what T's to cross and I"s to dot while in freight. Making it a local user, and seeing what bloat should all be removed. It'll be switched to Chrome and Thunderbird. I know Chrome collects to but prefer it. I think they all do. I think when a person purchases a quick computer he should try to keep it that way rather than let B Gates control it...
To be fair, Bill Gates has no interest in controlling your computer.
He’s busy doing other sh*t like ridding the world of Polio.
😜
@@sterntechdaddy sure is, like buying up the planet's farmland, and raising bugs for our benefit. To say the least. All through the foundation so no tax need to be adjusted and paid..
I still like him.
Just in case he’s reading this…
😁
Hi there, I pressed shift and f10 and nothing happened 😞 ??
Try pressing shift and then Fn + F10.
It's common for laptops to use the special features of the function keys - rather than their legacy usage. Originally, the top row of F keys weren't labelled because you could configure for the specific program you were using.
The multimedia controls now use this row - with the actual Function key being a secondary feature activated by the Fn key on the bottom left of the keyboard.
:)
It worked ! Thank you very much! I really appreciate your reply and it’s a great video !👍🙋♀️
Glad it helped.
Also, since my new laptop has got windows defender, is there any need to install another antivirus on it?
If yes, how do I set up Norton and windows defender working at the same time?
You shouldn’t have two AV programs running at once and Windows will disable Defender when a third party program is installed anyway.
You’re free to spend money how you like, but I actually disable Defender and haven’t got AV I stalled at all.
I’m going to do a video on it soon.
@@sterntechdaddy So what do u use for ur laptop then?
I turn off AV completely on my laptop and my desktop - including the free Windows AV.
:)
@@sterntechdaddy so how do you protect the your laptop from cyber threats and attacks?
I use the only thing that is actually important... the interface between the chair and the keyboard.
:P
I'm making a video about this... so stay tuned.
Hi just got my new laptop and nothing happens when I press shift and F10.
Can you help please
Check the function key operation…
You might have to press Fn to get the F10 key - rather than the multimedia function.
@@sterntechdaddy We've discovered that with machines
pre-installed with Windows 11 S
Mode, this won't work. You'll have to
connect to Wifi then pull the plug on
Wifi power when it asks to sign in with
Microsoft Account. With no internet,
click "Create Account" and it'll
default to the local user screen. I Tried it this way and it worked.
Thanks for you help Nic.
Be great if you did a beginners guide to File explorer. As I’m new to windows and computers.👍
@@noimspartacus9419 Interesting... I've only had contact with Win11 Home in full fat mode. Win 11 Pro allows it without a trick.
I did see the 'kill the router' trick, but thankfully didn't need to try it as the CMD end task has worked every time so far.
@@noimspartacus9419 I just might... but it's difficult to know what specific things to cover. So if you have any ideas then I'd be more than happy to hear them.
Don't worry about how it sounds... there are no stupid questions, but there's plenty of people who'll give you stupid answers if it means they can sell you something.
;D
I am interested to know people's views on the best windows alternative operating system. 😊
The only real alternative is Linux… but there are loads of different releases…
For hacking it’s Kali, for first time users uBuntu is great, and there are various education themed distributions like Mint which are great for kids.
The best operating system is the one you are most familiar with though. 😜
Sorry, me again. I’m trying to uninstall apps but it’s not saving them as uninstalled. How do I get around this?
You just visit the Installed Apps control panel and click there. Or right click on them on the Staart menu and select unistall.
If you don't see uninstall as an option then the App is integrated into Windows and cannot be removed using conventional methods.
@@sterntechdaddy hi, I’m managing with some, but McAfee and WildTangent Games are refusing to be evicted!
They should uninstall using Installed Apps, but McAfee has a removal tool which you should also run...
download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/SupportTools/MCPR/MCPR.exe
Full McAfee support page is here: www.mcafee.com/support/?articleId=TS101331&page=shell&shell=article-view
It depends on the version of Windows 11 your device has installed. There's a legacy Control Panel for installing - you might find Wildtangent and McAfee there.
But if you allow Windows 11 to update fully that should mean both of these programs are in the main Installed Apps.
Nic do install from windows 10 to windows 11 or downgrade to windows 11 to windows 10
Install just Win11.
Even if your CPU and TPM situation means that the installer halts, you can create a USB that skips the checks using Rufus and install it anyway.
Hi I stocked in internet set up,
Not sure what that means, but you can bypass it or just sign out and use a local account once Windows is up and running.
Or keep a Microsoft Account...
Generally, if you can't think of a reason to have a Microsoft account then using a local account is a better idea.
i am confused how he is screen recording while he is setting up his laptop
I’m using an Atomos NINJA V to record the HDMI output from the laptop.
🙂
Thank you so much for your detailed video, it really helped me. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to help us all here. I personally would love to buy you that cup of coffee. PAYPAL?.. Thanks again. You're amazing.
People can show extra gratitude using the Kofi button and/or Google Super Thanks.
No obligation, obviously, but all revenues are put into improving content.
I don’t want a sports car or larger house.
😁
Glad it helped.
Gratitude was shown using the Kofi button 🙃. Thanks again. Keep being amazing
Thank you.
🙂
Im talking about making a local account offline.
I realise that… but newer versions of Windows 11 insist on an internet connection or the setup won’t continue.
You can’t use the F10 trick to kill the connection process anymore.
But don’t worry… the no@thankyou.com still works.
But if you *really* want to avoid going online then you can use Rufus to create a custom Windows setup USB that has a local account made already - and it can skip the prerequisite check for TPM.
😁
See here…
rufus.ie/en/#
Take a look at the fourth image as it shows the options you can tick.
😜
Rufus is actually excellent … you can also make a WindowsToGo stick - which is brilliant as a tech tool because it’s not a WORM boot CD/DVD and you’re free to instal whatever you want and keep the tools (like Macrium Reflect!) updated.
🙂
I already connect the wifi to my laptoppp😭😭howwwww????
You can sign out and back in with a local account - so don't worry.
You can also do a reset and start the setup process again if you want to.
Note that there are advantages to having a Microsoft Account - most people tend to have one because Windows said they needed one and not because they can think of a reason to have one.
So logging in with a Microsoft Account is the same as logging in with a local user account except the local account seems faster and leaner.
I'm not going to talk about 'privacy' and those kind of worries - but I do plan on making a proper video about this.
@@sterntechdaddy okayy..thankyouuu!!!
Hope it helps.
I pressed shift+f10 and nothing occurred.
Try Fn + Shift + F10
🙂
@@sterntechdaddy I already have tried fn+shift+f10 and in reverse before your reply but it did not work.
Newer version of Windows 11 have disabled the Shift F10.... so try this instead...
When its asks you for the login, use 'no@thankyou.com' and then anything for the password.
It'll say there's a problem and then let you create a local account.
It's mentioned in the description...
:)
Hello, I have a problem with the wifi, it only shows ethernet but I want to connect to normal internet what should I do?
Technically Ethernet refers to a cabled connection to the Internet, rather than anything being normal… Sound like your Wi-Fi is what you want to use…
If your laptop is new then make sure Wi-Fi is enabled… there’s usually a Fn key for that.
If you are reinstalling Windows after erasing the laptop then you might need a driver. That’s rare, but not impossible.
So check the keyboard for some indication the Wi-Fi is enabled first.