Congratulations! You now own a new PC. But keep your old computer accessible for a short period of time to assure everything you needed from the old PC is on the new PC.
First, make a list of all the programs on your current PC that you want on the new one. If you bought those programs in physical form, find the discs. If you downloaded them, you can download them again. Make sure you have all of your license numbers, user names and passwords.
When you turn your new toy on for the first time, a wizard will walk you through some basic setup. You'll get to create your administrator user account (use the same name as on the old PC), and name the computer itself (don't use the same name; you can change it later, after you've removed the old PC from the network). It will also get you on the network. But where do you go from there?
First, get rid of all the unwanted junk that the manufacturer installed before the machine left the factory. The vast majority of these "free" programs are just marketing tools. If you're not sure what a particular program does, search for it on the Web before you make your decision.
Once everything is cleared up, install your own software. Start with your preferred security programs--antivirus and a firewall. Then go on with everything else.
After you've installed a program, check for updates and make sure you have the current version. If an installation asks you to reboot, reboot.
You won't need to install drivers for anything built into the PC, like the video card or optical drive. But you will need to do so for peripherals like your printer and scanner. You may be able to use the disc that came with your device; if it's lost or outdated, find a driver online.
With everything installed, make the computer your own. Pin your favorite programs to the Taskbar or the Start Menu, pick your wallpaper, and generally set things up the way you want them. Also, if you had more than one user account on your old PC, create additional ones, with the same names, on this one.
Now you've got everything you need except your data. But before you transfer that, create an image backup of your hard drive. Why? Your PC came with a recovery tool that will allow you, should disaster strike, to return the hard drive to the way Microsoft and the manufacturer want it. An image backup will allow you to return it to the way you want it.
We strongly suggest backing up to an external hard drive or server.
Now you're ready to move your documents, photos, and other data files from the old PC to the new one.
Remember, keep the old PC around and unharmed for a couple of months. You never know when you'll realize that you're missing an important file.
Does any of this make you nervous or anxious about the possibility of losing critical data? Is this a buisiness PC you are replacing? If so please consult a certified network technitian as they can assure that your setup is done properly. In the meantime it would save you time and money related to labor by simply having the first step listed above covered; make a list of all the programs on your current PC that you want on the new one. If you bought those programs in physical form, find the discs. If you downloaded them, you can download them again. Make sure you have all of your license numbers, user names and passwords.
Enjoy your new PC!!