wiki.mendiculus.info

This guide can help you with a new computer. It lists some general information and tips and tricks. We use this guide for setting up new computers for Personal Use and for Business. Not everything here needs to be followed, but it can help with your overall computing experience. This guide applies to windows 7, 8, and 8.1, With specific instructions for each if needed.

It is best to set up a password from the begining. You can disable it later during startup, but it is still important to have for other functions and for better security. Please remember to document your password somehow. One of the biggest issues we run into are when people forget their passwords, or have the wrong password.

For Windows 8 and above. Though the login system may seem bloated in the need to use a Microsoft online account, it is very useful for password recovery. It is recommended to have this feature and sign up with the Microsoft account which also gets you an email. Example johndoe@live.com. This is very helpful for password recovery and other windows systems.

For Windows 7 and below, may want to consider doing a password recovery disk.

A great resource for easily downloading your desired programs is to use nintie.com. Just check the ones you want and click “Get Installer” Our minimum recomendations are:

• Chrome
• java
• flash
• adobe PDF reader
• Teamviwer

Some other ones you might like are:

• IMG burn (Disk burning software
• Truecrypt (Encryption)
• VLC (universal Video Player)
• Gimp (Open Source Alterniative to Photoshop)
• irfanview (powerful image viewing tool)
• FastStone (Picture Management)
• Libra Office (Full Free Office suite, alt to Microsoft office)
• Malwarebytes (Virus and malware removal)
• Google Earth
• Drop Box (Sync Drive)

Some More advanced tools: (not all on nintie)

• FileZilla (FTP Client)
• Truecrypt (Encryption)
• zenmap
• pdfsam or pdfcreator
• Wireshark
• OpenVPN
• Putty

Many paid virus protections are not really giving extra protection for the paid subscription. The best free version that we use everyday is:
Microsoft Security Essentials (Built into Windows 8/8.1) If you are going to pay or are part of a business, you should consider:
Eset

This is most important with team viewer. This does make your computer stay on and run at full capacity unless you turn it off. Not recomended for those who are trying to save energy.

• Control Pannel>Power settings
• Chosoe Balanced or first option
• Turn off the display: 10 minutes
• Put the computer to sleep: never
• Click “Change advanced settings”
• Hard Disk>Turn off hard disk after> 0 minutes (never)
• Sleep>Sleep After: 0 Minutes (Never)
• Sleep>Allow Hybrid sleep: Off
• Sleep>Hibernate after:Never (usually Default)
• Power Button and Lid>Power button Action: Shutdown (usually default)
• Power Button and Lid>Sleep Button Action:Do nothing (so that it does not get hit accidentally)
• Click ok/apply
• Click save settings

Want to make your computer have auto login so you dont have to put a password in everytime it starts? here is how.

• Windows Key +R
• netplwiz
• Uncheck “users must sign in”
• Put in Password

• Perform Windows update. You may need to restart the computer after each update, and continue to do so untill there are no updates.

• Show all Icons in taskbar
• Show Icons on the desktop, such as user, computer, network, control panel and trash (or desired icons)
• Add user folder to favorites in explorer (by draging over to favorites), also can add trash and my computer
• W8 - Set control panel to pin to taskbar
• W8 - Pin other important programs to taskbar and possibly start screen
• W8 - Remove Icons from Startmenu
• W8 - Set weather to show Reletive Locations
• W8.1 - Make startup auto to desktop