Default app settings to review after installing Windows on a new device

Reviewing Privacy and Permissions First

After a fresh Windows install, the default privacy settings often share more data than you might realize. Open Settings, go to Privacy & security, and check General, Speech, Inking & typing, and Diagnostics & feedback. Options like “Let apps use my advertising ID” or “Send optional diagnostic data” are on by default. Switch those to Off or Basic for less data sharing.

The change takes effect immediately, so you can close out after adjusting each section.

Checking Startup Programs and Background Apps

A brand-new Windows installation usually comes with more software than most people actually need. Some of those apps are designed to launch as soon as the computer starts, even if you never open them yourself. They sit quietly in the background, using memory and adding extra time to every startup. You may not notice the difference on the first day, but after using the computer for a while, all of those small delays begin to add up.

A good place to see what’s starting automatically is Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then open the Startup tab. Every application that starts with Windows appears here, along with an estimate of how much it affects boot time. Don’t feel like you need to disable everything. Focus on programs you recognize but rarely use, such as trial software, shopping apps, game launchers, or utilities installed by the computer manufacturer. Disabling them only stops them from opening automatically. The programs stay installed and can still be opened whenever you need them.

Some applications also continue running after you’ve closed them because Windows allows them to work in the background. If you don’t need an app checking for updates or sending notifications all day, open Settings, go to Apps, choose the application, and look for Advanced options. If the option is available, turn off Let this app run in the background. This small change can reduce unnecessary activity without affecting important Windows features like system updates, which continue running on their own.

Setting Default Browser and Search Engine

Windows is set up to use Microsoft Edge from the beginning, so every web link normally opens there. If you already prefer another browser, changing it now means you won’t have to keep switching back every time you click a link.

Open Settings, select Apps, and then Default apps. Find the browser you want to use and open its settings page. Windows asks you to choose that browser for different file and link types, including .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS. It feels a little repetitive because each one has to be changed separately, but it’s only something you need to do once.

The search engine is controlled by the browser rather than Windows itself. After changing your default browser, open its settings and choose whichever search engine you prefer. From then on, searches entered into the address bar will use that search engine automatically.

Configuring Notifications and Focus Assist

One thing many people notice on a new PC is how often notifications start appearing. Messages from installed apps, reminders, promotions, and update alerts can all compete for attention before you’ve even finished setting up the computer. Instead of accepting every notification, it’s worth deciding which ones are actually useful.

Open Settings, then System > Notifications. From there, you can switch notifications off completely or leave them enabled and simply turn off the apps that don’t matter to you. For most people, the second option works better because important alerts can still come through while unnecessary pop-ups stay out of the way.

If you only want some quiet time while you’re working, Focus Assist is another setting worth using. You can leave notifications enabled during the day but have Windows reduce interruptions automatically while you’re giving a presentation, watching a movie, or playing a game in full screen. The rules are easy to change later, so you can adjust them whenever your routine changes instead of setting everything up again from scratch.

FAQ

Question: Do I need to change privacy settings on every new Windows device?
Answer: Yes, because default settings vary by device manufacturer. Check the Privacy & security sections mentioned above on each new device. Pre-installed apps on some laptops can have different permissions than a clean Windows install, so don’t assume the defaults are the same.

Question: Will disabling startup apps affect Windows updates?
Answer: No. Disabling startup apps only stops them from launching when you sign in. Windows Update runs as a necessary system service that isn’t controlled by startup settings in Task Manager. Updates download and install requests will still arrive normally.

Question: Should I change file type associations for all file types at once?
Answer: No. Only change the ones you use often – like .htm and .html for browsing. Windows already has built-in apps for many types such as .jpg and .pdf. Changing every association at once can cause unexpected results when opening common documents like photos.