A New Laptop in the Family

When Setting up a Windows Computer

This is current for me, as I just bought a shiny new computer from Best Buy . . . when you buy a new Windows system, what do you do and install right off the bat?

I can think of

• Firefox (and extensions--I'll list those below)
• Chrome
• Safari
• Java/Flash/Shockwave
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• iTunes + Quicktime
• CoolTimer
• MW Snap (screencapture)
• Antiviru
• GomPlayer
• MagicDisk (if you have kids' software that is CD-dependent)
• Picasa
• Zoomit
• Skype
• Photostory
• eSword Bible software
• Scratch and Alice (if you have middle/high school kids who want to program)
• Handbrake (ripping DVDs to MP4)
• PDF995 (to make pdfs or docs into jpgs for printing at Costco)

Firefox Extensions

• Video DownloadHelper
• Pixlr Grabber
• Diigo

To Do List

• Adjust mouse/touchpad preferences
• Set admin password
• Set Windows security settings
• Delete bloatware
• Install software, then defrag
• Move data files (into D: if you change the user directory location first)