If you've upgraded...

You just completed a successful upgrade to Windows 10. Congratulations!

You should do a few things immediately after your upgrade to make Windows 10 more secure and enjoyable.

Sign in with your Microsoft Account. We’ve talked about this before. You need a Microsoft Account to take full advantage of what Windows 10 has to offer. Sign in with your Microsoft Account.

Protect yourself at all times

Did you uninstall your antivirus and antimalware programs before your upgrade? If so, you need to reinstall them now.

And you need to check the configuration so you’re absolutely sure they are set up to do daily scans and that the real time protection is turned on.

Even if you didn’t bother uninstalling them and you got lucky they didn’t kill your upgrade, you need to check the settings.

Tweak important settings

You can apply many tweaks, but you should do these important ones right away. Get familiar with the new Settings app.

You can open it by clicking on Start | Settings or by pressing the Windows Key and the I key at the same time.

Start with Network and Internet. Click on Wi-Fi, and then on Manage Wi-Fi settings. I recommend turning off both choices in Wi-Fi Sense. I suggest also turning off Paid Wi-Fi services.

Turn that back on if you ever need it, but leaving it off by default keeps your computer more secure.

Next check your Windows Update. Go back out to the main Settings screen and click on Update & Security.

Click on Windows Update, then on Advanced options, then Choose how updates are delivered. Finally, slide the Updates from more than one place to the Off position.

Check your backup

If you had a backup program before you upgraded your computer to Windows 10, even if you used the built-in backup from Windows 7, you need to check that the backup is still happening after the upgrade.

I often find that older backup programs do not work with Windows 10. Check that the program opens and that it’s actually doing a backup.

If not, get the updated version of the program that will run on Windows 10, configure and check those backups.

Reinstall your multifunction printer software

If you just have a printer, Windows will detect it and install the right drivers if there are any for your printer in Windows 10.

If, on the other hand, you have a multifunction device — one machine that prints, scans, copies, faxes — 99 per cent of the time Windows will detect the printer part just fine, but you’ll need to install the Windows 10 software for the other functions.

Go to the manufacturer’s website for your device and search for the software. Download and install it.

Once that’s done, test every function you care about. If you don’t need the fax, don’t bother trying to set it up. But if you have a scanner and a copier as well as a printer, it’s a good idea to make sure all the functions you want are in good working order!

Create recovery media

A recovery drive can help you troubleshoot some serious problems with Windows even when it won’t boot.

It’s a good idea to have a recovery drive. Even if you created one for your previous operating system, you need to create a new one for Windows 10.

Remember the old days where we created a set of four or six DVDs called Rescue Disks or Recovery Disks? Well that’s so 1998. All that stuff fits on one thing now.

You’ll need a flash drive. Some computers are fine with an 8GB drive; others need 16GB. Either way, this flash drive is dedicated to recovery. You can’t use it for anything else.

Follow the directions in this article from Microsoft to create your drive. When finished, for heaven’s sake, label it and put it where you can easily find it when you need it.

Use it!

Start enjoying your Windows 10. And get ready for the next version, which will begin rolling out tomorrow. 

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email.

Links

Easier Upgrades 

Create a recovery drive 

Let’s Get Started 

Windows 10 Anniversary Update Available

 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.