What You Should Do First With Every New PC or Laptop You Buy

Did you know that your brand new computer is already cluttered before you even turn it on for the first time? What if you could make your new laptop run faster and smoother by simply starting over from scratch?

Most people assume that when they buy a new computer from a store, it is in its "perfect" state. You take it out of the box, plug it in, and start working. However, almost every major computer brand ships their machines with a hidden problem called bloatware. This is extra software that you did not ask for and likely do not need. The best thing you can do for a new machine is to wipe it clean and install a fresh, "stock" version of Windows.

Why Is Your New Computer Full of Junk?

You might wonder why a company would put extra programs on a machine and make it slower. The simple answer is money. Software companies pay laptop manufacturers to pre-install trial versions of antivirus programs, photo editors, and games. This helps the manufacturers keep the price of the laptop a little lower for you, but it comes at a cost to the performance of the machine.

The downsides of this "pre-loaded" software are very real. These programs often start automatically when you turn on your computer. They take up space on your hard drive, use up your memory, and constantly nag you with pop-up windows asking you to buy a full subscription. It is like buying a new car and finding the backseat is already filled with heavy suitcases that you aren't allowed to remove.

The "Clean Install" Advantage

When someone builds their own computer from individual parts, they have to install Windows themselves. Because they are installing it from a plain Microsoft disc or USB drive, they get what is called a "stock" copy of Windows. This version is clean, fast, and contains absolutely zero extra junk from outside companies.

By performing a clean install on your store-bought laptop, you are giving it that same "custom built" feel. You are removing the heavy suitcases from the backseat so the car can drive at its full speed. A clean copy of Windows often starts up faster, feels more responsive, and stays "clean" for much longer.

When You Should NOT Do This

While a clean install is great for most people, there are a few times when you might want to skip it. Some very high-end or specialized laptops have unique features that require specific software from the manufacturer to work. For example, a laptop with a special dual-screen setup or a very specific type of digital pen might need that "junk" software to communicate with the hardware properly.

If you are worried about losing a specific feature, it is worth doing a quick search online for your laptop model. In most cases, however, you can always go to the manufacturer's website later and download only the one or two specific tools you actually need without bringing back all the other bloatware.

How to Get Started

To do this, you will need a blank USB thumb drive and a tool from Microsoft called the "Media Creation Tool." This tool allows you to put a official, clean version of Windows onto the USB drive. You then tell your new computer to start up using that USB drive instead of its internal hard drive. From there, you can choose to "Format" or erase the old version and let the clean one take its place.