Setting Up New PCs for Your Team: A Checklist
New computers for the team should arrive ready, secure and consistent — not a scramble of half-configured machines that each behave differently. Here's the checklist we work through for a smooth business rollout, whether it's one new starter's laptop or a whole office refresh.
Before they arrive
- Standardise on a sensible spec (see choosing a business laptop) so every machine behaves the same and spares are simple.
- Decide the standard set of software each role needs, so nothing's missing on day one.
- Plan accounts, email and access in advance so people can actually start working when the machine lands on their desk.
Core setup
- Updates first. Apply all Windows and software updates before the machine goes into use — a brand-new PC is often months out of date.
- Standard apps installed — office suite, browser, line-of-business tools — configured the same way across the fleet.
- Accounts and email set up and tested, with data, settings and files migrated from the old machine where needed.
- Remove the bloatware that consumer machines ship with, which clutters and slows them.
Security from the start
- Endpoint protection installed and active.
- Disk encryption enabled to protect data if a device is lost or stolen.
- Multi-factor authentication switched on for key accounts.
- A standard user account for daily work, with admin rights kept separate — a simple step that limits the damage if an account is compromised.
Backups and recovery
Make sure each machine's data is covered by your backup before it's relied on, and that staff know to save work to the backed-up location rather than the desktop. Documenting what's installed means a replacement can be rebuilt quickly if a device fails — part of a wider recovery plan.
Handover
Label and asset-tag the machine, record its serial and specification, show the user the essentials, and make sure they know how to reach support. A tidy handover saves a stack of small questions later — and a simple asset list pays off every time something needs replacing or supporting.
Don't forget the old machines
Plan what happens to the kit being replaced: data transferred, drives securely wiped, and devices recycled or repurposed responsibly rather than left in a cupboard holding company data.
We'll handle the whole rollout
From sourcing the right kit to imaging, securing and delivering it ready to use — and decommissioning the old — our hardware support, business IT support and managed IT services take the hassle off your hands.