Self-assemble computers, build desktop computers (P5): Refine new computers

Set up your own computer - Part 1: Choose hardware
Set up your own computer - Part 2: Hardware assembly
Set up your own computer - Part 3: Start software settings
Setting up your own computer - Part 4: Installing Windows and loading drivers

Until this part, we have finished installing the operating system into our new computer. However, there are a few more steps that we will take in this final section to introduce you to make sure your system works in a more stable way.

Note that there is no one profile that works for everyone, but these are just the most general rules for you.

Check the hardware components

Before embarking on complicated steps, check to make sure that all the hardware components you have installed can work properly and that Windows is fully identifiable and connected. such parts.First, press the Windows button on the keyboard to open the Start menu, then enter the About section. In this section, you continue to click on the About your PC link .

Here, you can see the PC name, processor information, as well as the speed and amount of RAM detected by the system.RAM is an especially important factor that you need to pay attention to, make sure that the parameters displayed on the screen exactly match what you have installed.If the parameters do not match, you may be encountering a RAM DIMM error or one of your RAM modules is not in the correct position.The thing to do here is to turn off the PC and double-check the RAM settings on the motherboard.

Next, press the Windows button again to open the Start menu and type This PC keyword, then click on the first returned result.Here, you will see a list of all account folders and drives installed on your computer.Make sure that the amount of drive and storage that your device reports is exactly what you expect.

To check other hardware components such as the graphics card or USB front panel, you continue to press the Windows button and enter the Device Manager keyword, then click the first result returned. This Device Manager window has a nested list of information about every single component installed on your computer, including everything from small to large that has been installed on the motherboard. If you are looking for something specific, just check under the relevant label. Example: Graphics cards are listed in Display Adapters (see illustration).

If there are already connected components, but Windows is not recognized or not installed with the appropriate driver, it will display as a yellow icon and is sometimes labeled Unknown device.Keep an eye out and update drivers for these devices.

1. 4 simple ways to check the configuration and hardware information of computers and laptops

Update Windows to the latest versions

Well, in fact, updating Windows is a very time consuming and relatively boring task.However, here again one of the most important factors to keep your computer running smoothly.Microsoft tends to release operating system updates more often than Windows ISO or Media Creation Tool, so you should proceed to update the system as soon as a notification is issued.

Fortunately, updating the system takes time but is really nothing complicated.First, press the Windows key on the keyboard to access the Start menu, then enter the keyword updates and click the first result in the return list, which is the Check for Updates section .

This is the Windows Update section of Windows 10. You just need to click Check for updates and the operating system will connect to Microsoft servers and proceed to download the latest necessary files, then install them.You may need to restart the computer to apply the changes on the major updates.

Windows 10 has an annoying habit of restarting itself without your permission if the updates have been downloaded but haven't been applied for a long time.You can refer to our article "Disable Windows Update Active Hours on Windows 10" for a fix.

1. How to update Windows to the latest version

Set up anti-virus and malware software

Back years ago, people seemed to have different opinions and suggestions for antivirus and firewall programs.But things have become much simpler since the arrival of Windows Defender.Microsoft has developed its own built-in antivirus solution, completely free with Windows.This tool has become more complete and really works great on Windows 10. You won't need to do anything, Windows Defender is completely automated.Windows Update will help to keep the list of viruses, trojans and other annoying things constantly updated automatically and Windows Defender will warn you if anything unusual is detected on the system.See our 'How to use Windows Defender' article to learn how to use this useful security tool.

Similarly, Windows' built-in firewall tool (also included in Windows Defender) is more than enough for general users.Like Windows Defender, the firewall will start and run by default, automatically update everything in the background and third-party applications will be alerted to you if they require access to external servers. when you use.To manage the firewall more effectively, see our 'How to use a firewall in Windows 10' guide.

As mentioned, although Windows' built-in security tools are not bad, or rather, it works very well, but we still recommend installing some third-party security software if You have a higher need for security or often need to work with important data.

Protect your drive

If you are in the habit of storing your personal information and data right on your computer, encrypting the storage drive is an important task.Encryption is an effective security measure, allowing you and only you to have access to specific (encrypted) data.In other words, people who do not have your password or other identity cannot access this data, even if they steal the computer.The only option they can clear encrypted data!

On Windows 10 Pro there is an integrated encryption tool called Bitlocker.Setting up encryption with Bitlocker is really easy: First, access this This PC folder in Windows Explorer, right-click any drive, then click Turn on BitLocker.After that, you will be asked to create a password (which may be different from your Windows password) or use a flash drive to unlock the encryption.

Note that BitLocker features are not included in the cheaper version of Windows 10 Home.If you want to receive additional protection, you will have to upgrade your Windows license to Pro, or you can encrypt your drive with third-party programs, such as VeraCrypt.

1. Top 20 best encryption software for Windows

Customize the interface of the operating system

Until now, close to your operating system is safe enough to be able to operate and work, but this is the moment you can revamp your interface a bit for your new operating system.Almost everything in Windows can be customized if you are not afraid to spend some time with it.However, this custom section has a lot of content and we will introduce you to separate series in a later section.This series of articles will stop here to introduce you to the most basic knowledge of setting up your own computer.

summary

These are the basic settings and tweaks that you should pay attention to when you start using a new PC system, which are the last steps we must take in building our own PC. meHopefully the information on all five articles in the self-built series can help you.Good luck!

See more:

1. Basic measurement units in computers
2. Instructions for checking the temperature of CPU, VGA, hard drive of computer, laptop
3. The best driver update software for computers
4. 5 ways to cool down, cool, laptop radiator simple and effective