A new laptop is a fresh start, and the first hour you spend with it sets how safe it will be for years. A few quick choices now mean that if it is ever lost, stolen or targeted, your data and accounts stay protected. Our GetMyPassword team walks through how to secure a new laptop, step by step.
Start with updates and a real account
Before anything else, install system and app updates — a brand-new laptop has often been sitting in a box for months and is behind on security fixes. Set updates to install automatically. Then sign in with a standard user account for everyday use rather than an always-on administrator, so a stray bad program cannot make sweeping changes. These two steps quietly close the most common doors before you do anything else.
Lock the device itself
- Turn on disk encryption (BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on Mac) so a stolen drive is unreadable.
- Set a strong login — a unique password plus a PIN or biometric unlock.
- Enable auto-lock after a few idle minutes, and lock the screen whenever you step away.
- Switch on “find my device” so you can locate or remotely wipe it if it goes missing.
Secure your accounts and browser
Most of what matters lives in your online accounts, so set them up safely from the start. Install a password manager and sign in to each service with a unique password, never the same one twice. Turn on two-factor authentication on your email and important accounts first, since email controls password resets. Keep your browser updated and lean, adding only extensions you truly trust.
An hour of setup on day one — encryption, a strong login, unique passwords and two-factor — turns a lost laptop from a crisis into an inconvenience.
Back up and stay tidy
Set up a backup now — an encrypted external drive or a trusted cloud service — so a failure, theft or ransomware never costs you your files. Avoid downloading software from random sites, and review app permissions as you install. To make the account side effortless, generate a unique password for every login with our password generator and let your manager remember them. A little discipline on a clean machine is the easiest security you will ever set up.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first to secure a new laptop?
Install all system and app updates and enable automatic updates, then use a standard (non-administrator) account for daily use. These close the most common security gaps a new, out-of-the-box laptop has.
Should I turn on disk encryption?
Yes. Turn on BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac) so that if your laptop is lost or stolen, the drive cannot be read without your login. Pair it with a strong password and auto-lock.
How do I protect my accounts on a new laptop?
Use a password manager with a unique password for every service, turn on two-factor authentication starting with your email, keep your browser updated, and set up an encrypted backup of your files.