Setting up Windows 10 in 2026 should begin with one decision: whether the computer actually needs Windows 10. Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If the hardware supports Windows 11, that is normally the better choice for a new installation. The steps below are intended for an existing Windows 10 installation that must remain in use for compatibility or transition purposes.
Configure Windows 10 after installation
- Complete the initial region, keyboard, network, and account screens.
- After reaching the desktop, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation and verify the activation status.
- Open Windows Update and install updates available under your current support arrangement. Restart when required and check again.
- Open Device Manager and look for hardware with warning icons. Obtain missing drivers from the computer or component manufacturer’s official support site.
- Review Windows Security and make sure the firewall and other protections have not been disabled.
- Configure a backup for documents and other irreplaceable data.
- Install your applications from trusted sources and restore personal files only after the system is stable.
Check the Windows edition and license
Windows Home and Pro licenses are not interchangeable simply because the installation media contains both editions. Installing an edition that does not match the PC’s digital license or product key can leave Windows unactivated. Check the existing license before performing a clean installation.
Keep setup and clean installation separate
If Windows 10 is already installed, you do not need to create a bootable USB just to configure the computer. Bootable installation media is for installing or reinstalling Windows. A clean installation can delete data, so it should be treated as a separate procedure with a complete backup and recovery plan.
Use Windows 10 as a transition, not a default new build
A Windows 10 computer can continue to operate after end of support, but ordinary standard support no longer provides the security-update path it once did. Where applicable, Extended Security Updates can provide additional transition time. For a machine expected to remain in service for years, moving to supported Windows 11 hardware is the more durable solution.
The Windows 10 setup screens in order
When you turn on a new or freshly installed Windows 10 PC, the setup wizard walks you through these screens:
- Region. Pick the country or region where you live.
- Keyboard layout. Confirm your keyboard layout and add a second one if you need it.
- Network. Connect to Wi-Fi or plug in an Ethernet cable so Windows can check for updates and sign you in.
- Account. Sign in with a Microsoft account, or create a local account if that option is offered. Our guide to setting up Windows 10 without a Microsoft account explains the local account route.
- PIN. Create a Windows Hello PIN for faster sign-in.
- Privacy settings. Review each switch, such as location, diagnostics, and tailored experiences, and turn off anything you don’t want.
- Optional extras. Decide whether to use Cortana, OneDrive backup, and activity history. You can change these later in Settings.
Settings worth checking after the first sign-in
- Display. In Settings > System > Display, confirm the resolution and scaling look right on your screen.
- Default apps. In Settings > Apps > Default apps, pick your browser, email, and media player.
- Power. In Settings > System > Power & sleep, set when the screen turns off and when the PC sleeps.
- Startup apps. In Task Manager’s Startup tab, disable programs that don’t need to start with Windows.
- Restore point. Turn on System Protection for the system drive so you can roll back a bad driver or update.
Extended Security Updates
Microsoft’s consumer Extended Security Updates program keeps eligible Windows 10 PCs receiving security fixes; Microsoft has extended it for consumers through October 12, 2027. After that date, a home PC on Windows 10 no longer receives security updates, so plan an upgrade to Windows 11 or a replacement PC if you rely on it for banking, email, or work.
If you need to reinstall instead
If the existing installation is broken, a clean install may be the better starting point. See our guides to installing Windows 10 on a new hard drive and using Rufus to create installation media. Back up your files first, because a clean install erases the drive.
Related: Back up and export Sticky Notes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Windows 10 setup take?
The setup screens take about 10 to 20 minutes. Installing updates and drivers afterward can take longer, depending on your internet speed.
Can I skip the Microsoft account?
On some versions and editions, yes. Disconnecting from the internet during setup often shows a local account option, but this isn’t guaranteed on every build.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.