Whether it is a new Windows 11 laptop, an Android 16 flagship, or an iPhone running iOS 18, the first hour with a device quietly decides how safe and fast it will feel for years. I focus on a handful of critical settings that security pros and performance guides consistently highlight, so you can lock down data, avoid slowdowns, and get the best experience from day one.
1. Update your operating system and apps immediately
Updating your operating system and apps immediately is the single most important change to make on a new device. Guidance for a new Windows 11 notebook stresses that the very first stop after setup should be the system’s update panel, where you pull in the latest fixes for stability and security from Windows 11. Separate reporting on bootkit threats notes that, in Windows, you should open Settings, choose Windows Update, and install the newest patches before doing anything sensitive.
The stakes are clear when emergency fixes land. One alert about Apple’s platforms explains that Updating your software ensures that your device has the latest security patches and fixes, protecting you from potential security threats, and that some flaws are serious enough to demand an emergency zero-day patch. I also pay attention to advice that Some operating system updates may require a restart of your device to take effect, so I plan time for that reboot instead of postponing it. Skipping this step leaves even brand-new hardware exposed to known attacks.
2. Enable automatic updates
Enabling automatic updates is the natural follow-up once the first manual patch run is complete. The same Windows 11 setup guidance that urges an initial update also recommends turning on automatic delivery so you are not relying on memory to install future fixes. Security coverage about a Windows bootkit vulnerability explains that, in Windows, you go into Settings, open Windows Update, and let the system fetch new releases as Microsoft publishes them, instead of waiting until a problem appears.
Broader security advice on software maintenance reinforces this habit. One guide on easy cyber hygiene notes that Some operating system updates may require a restart of your device to take effect, and that it is best to do this immediately rather than deferring. I treat automatic updates as a way to outsource that discipline, especially on phones and laptops that family members use. When a Patch Tuesday cycle delivers something as significant as an Update Windows ASAP to Patch Another Zero, Day Vulnerability that fixes 63 security vulnerabilities from Microsoft, I want those protections landing without delay.
3. Set up a strong password or PIN
Setting up a strong password or PIN is the first line of defense if your new device is lost or stolen. The Windows 11 new-notebook checklist highlights creating a secure sign-in method during initial configuration, rather than accepting a weak default or leaving the device unlocked. On a laptop, that usually means pairing a complex account password with a short local PIN that is stored securely and tied to that specific hardware, so it is harder to reuse elsewhere.
I apply the same principle on phones, where a six-digit or longer PIN is significantly stronger than a simple four-digit code, and where patterns are easier to shoulder-surf. A robust lock screen also protects saved passwords, email, and banking apps that would otherwise open instantly. For families or small offices, insisting that every new Windows PC, Android phone, and iPhone ships with a proper lock code is one of the cheapest ways to cut the risk of account takeover after a theft.
4. Turn on two-factor authentication for your accounts
Turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) for key accounts adds a critical layer on top of passwords and PINs. The new Windows 11 notebook recommendations point out that device setup is the ideal moment to secure Microsoft accounts, email, and cloud storage with a second step, such as a code from an authenticator app. That way, even if someone guesses or steals your password, they still cannot sign in without access to your phone or hardware key.
I extend that logic to Google, Apple ID, password managers, and banking apps as soon as a new phone or laptop is online. Using app-based codes or security keys instead of SMS reduces the risk from SIM-swapping attacks. For workplaces, making 2FA mandatory on corporate accounts dramatically limits the damage from phishing, because a stolen password alone no longer unlocks sensitive data or remote access tools.
5. Customize privacy settings to limit data sharing
Customizing privacy settings to limit data sharing is another early task that pays off over the life of a device. The Windows 11 optimization steps advise reviewing telemetry options during or right after setup, so you can decide how much diagnostic and usage data is sent back to Microsoft. I go into the privacy dashboard to toggle off unnecessary advertising IDs, app access to location, and background permissions that are not essential for my workflow.
On phones, I take a similar pass through app permissions, especially for camera, microphone, and precise location. iOS 18, for example, surfaces granular controls for things like photos and local network access, and guides to key iOS 18 settings explain how tightening those options can reduce tracking without breaking core features. For organizations handling customer data, getting these defaults right on every new device helps with compliance obligations and reduces the amount of personal information exposed if an account is compromised.
6. Disable unnecessary startup programs
Disabling unnecessary startup programs keeps a new Windows 11 laptop feeling fast instead of bogged down by preinstalled software. The same ten-step setup advice recommends opening the system’s startup manager soon after unboxing to see which apps are launching automatically. A separate performance tip explains that, in either Windows 10 or 11, you click the Start menu, select the Settings icon, then Head to Apps, Startup, and uncheck any apps you do not immediately need at boot.
I usually target trialware, updaters for software I rarely use, and chat clients that do not need to run constantly. Trimming this list shortens boot times and frees memory and CPU cycles for the tools I actually rely on, such as browsers, code editors, or creative suites. For less technical users, doing this once on a new machine can prevent the gradual slowdown that often leads people to think their hardware is failing long before it really is.
7. Enable full-disk encryption like BitLocker
Enabling full-disk encryption, such as BitLocker on Windows 11, protects the data on a new laptop if it is lost or stolen. The immediate Windows actions recommended for fresh notebooks include turning on this feature so that everything on the drive is encrypted at rest. When BitLocker is active and tied to a TPM chip and your account, an attacker who pulls the drive out of the machine cannot simply plug it into another computer and browse your files.
I treat full-disk encryption as mandatory for any device that leaves the house with email, client documents, or saved browser sessions. On phones, the equivalent storage encryption is typically enabled by default once you set a PIN, but it is still worth confirming in settings. For businesses, combining encryption with asset tracking and remote wipe tools ensures that a lost laptop becomes a hardware problem, not a data breach.
8. Adjust screen timeout and power settings
Adjusting screen timeout and power settings on a new device balances security, battery life, and convenience. The Windows 11 setup guidance suggests tuning power plans and display sleep timers so the screen locks quickly when you step away, while still giving you enough time for normal reading or video calls. I usually shorten the idle time before the lock screen appears, which reduces the window in which someone could sit down at an unattended laptop and start using it.
On notebooks, I also customize what happens when the lid closes and how aggressively the system throttles performance on battery. Phones get similar treatment, with shorter auto-lock intervals and brightness adjustments that extend battery life. For remote workers and students, these small tweaks help ensure that a misplaced device is less likely to be wide open, and that long days away from a charger do not end with a dead screen at a critical moment.
9. Activate advanced protection on Android 16
Activating advanced protection on Android 16 is one of the most powerful security upgrades you can make on a new phone, yet it is off by default. A detailed walkthrough of Android’s security options explains that this advanced protection mode hardens account recovery, restricts risky app installs, and adds extra checks around sensitive actions, but that you must explicitly turn it on in settings. The guidance is blunt that your Android phone’s most powerful security feature is off by default, so you should turn it on as soon as possible.
I see this as especially important for anyone who keeps work email, cloud storage, or password managers on their phone. With advanced protection enabled, common attack paths like phishing, malicious sideloaded apps, and unauthorized account recovery become much harder to exploit. For organizations that allow bring-your-own-device access, requiring this setting on Android 16 handsets meaningfully raises the security baseline without needing extra hardware.
10. Review iOS 18 settings and apply cross-platform update habits
Reviewing iOS 18 settings on a new iPhone rounds out the checklist and ties together the same security instincts used on Windows and Android. Guides to six key options in iOS 18 highlight app permissions, lock screen controls, and new privacy tools that can be tightened right away for better protection and usability. I walk through those menus to limit background access, refine notification previews, and ensure that sensitive content is not visible on a locked screen.
At the same time, I apply the universal lesson that Updating your software ensures that your device has the latest security patches and fixes, protecting you from potential security threats, as one security alert about Apple platforms puts it. On Windows, that means following instructions that, in Windows, you should head into Settings, select Windows Update, and install the latest fixes before bootkit malware can take over, as explained in guidance to patch your Windows. Treating updates, strong authentication, and careful permissions as non-negotiable on every new phone or computer keeps your data safer across iOS 18, Android 16, and Windows 11 alike.
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