New HP laptop? A first-day setup checklist

💡 Need to know

• Keep it plugged in during setup. Updates and file transfers can take a while.
• Have your Wi-Fi and account info handy. You’ll need them before you get very far.
• Let Windows update before installing everything. Starting current can save troubleshooting later.
• Don’t rush to delete the old laptop. Make sure your files made the move first.

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There’s something satisfying about opening a brand-new HP® laptop: clean desktop, fresh battery, absolutely no mystery files living in the Downloads folder yet. Before filling it with apps, documents, and 27 browser tabs, though, it’s worth spending a little time getting the basics right.

We set up and troubleshoot computers every day at Asurion, and these are the things we’d take care of before calling a new laptop ready for everyday life.

1. Finish Windows setup and get online

Power up the laptop, keep it plugged in, and follow the Windows 11® prompts for your region, keyboard, Wi-Fi, and account. Take a second to read through the privacy choices instead of treating Next like a speed-run button. Once you reach the desktop, open a webpage to confirm Wi-Fi is working, then move on.

2. Set up a quicker, safer sign-in

Head to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and set up Windows Hello. A PIN works on compatible Windows 11 laptops, while some HP models also support fingerprint or facial recognition. Pick whichever option makes sense for the hardware you have and how you normally use the laptop.

3. Knock out the updates

Yes, it's brand new. It probably needs updates anyway.

Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, install what's available, and restart when Windows asks. Check again afterward because there may be another round waiting.

Once Windows is current, use the HP support software available for your model to check for driver, firmware, or BIOS updates. We'd rather get those out of the way now than discover an old driver when the webcam or Bluetooth starts acting weird next week.

4. Bring over your important files

If you're replacing an older PC, start with Documents, Pictures, Desktop, school or work files, and anything else you know isn't replaceable. Files synced through OneDrive may already start appearing when you sign in with the same Microsoft account; anything stored only on the old computer will need to be transferred separately.

Most importantly, don't erase or trade in the old laptop yet. Open a handful of important files on the new HP first and make sure they're actually there and working. Future-you does not want to discover the missing tax folder after the old computer has been wiped.

5. Turn on backup

While you're already thinking about files, set up backup now instead of promising yourself you'll do it later.

Windows Backup and OneDrive can protect supported files and settings through your Microsoft account. Choose what you want synced and confirm the backup is actually running. If you also use an external drive for backups, this is a good time to connect it and get that routine started too.

6. Install what you use—not everything you used to have

Browser? Absolutely. Work or school apps? Yep. Favorite streaming service, messaging apps, games? Bring them over. That random utility you downloaded in 2023 for one very specific task and haven't opened since? It can probably stay behind.

Install the apps you actually use and sign in as you go. There's no prize for making the new laptop's app list look exactly like the old one's.

7. Take five minutes to clean up what's already there

New PCs can come with trial software and apps you don't need. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and remove the obvious stuff you know you won't use.

Leave unfamiliar HP utilities, drivers, Windows components, and anything else you're unsure about alone until you know what it does.

8. Connect your everyday gear

Now grab the things that normally live around the laptop and make sure they work: mouse, headphones, printer, monitor, dock, whatever belongs in your setup.

For Bluetooth® accessories, start at Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Our guide to pairing Bluetooth headphones with an HP laptop has the full walkthrough if headphones are first up.

Planning to use a bigger screen? Check the HP model's HDMI and USB-C capabilities before buying adapters. Our guide to connecting an HP laptop to a TV covers wireless screen mirroring and HDMI if the TV is part of the setup.

9. Make Windows yours

The responsible first-day checklist is finished. Now mess with it. Go open those 27 tabs.

Change the wallpaper. Pin favorite apps. Adjust the display size. Tweak the touchpad. Turn off notifications that have already annoyed you twice. Move things around until the stuff you use constantly is easy to reach. Now it’s officially your laptop—put it to work.