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New Computer Setup: Simple Tweaks for a Better Experience

Posted January 7, 2026

Getting and setting up a new computer can be simultaneously exciting and frustrating.

Both the Windows and Mac operating systems include many features that collect usage data and show ads. Much of this is often enabled by default. While not necessarily malicious, they can still slow things down, result in visual clutter on your screen, cause confusion, and raise privacy concerns. This post focuses on the basics to optimize performance, enhance your privacy, and create a smoother, more enjoyable computing experience. In it, we will:

  • Walk through updating specific settings in Windows and Mac operating systems and explain why
  • Detail a few additional, helpful tools you might want to explore.

Let’s dive in!

Windows 11 Settings

You can access these settings by clicking the Start button (the Windows icon) and then clicking the Settings gear icon.

Privacy & Security

These settings increase the security of your device and data as well as control what information Windows shares and who can access it. From Settings, select Privacy & Security from the list on the left.

Within Settings > Privacy & Security >

  • Device Encryption: This option protects your data from unauthorized access and tampering if your device is lost or stolen. If it is not already enabled, it is a good practice to do so. More information available here.
  • Recommendations & offers: The options and features here collect and share information about your device usage for the purpose of showing personalized ads and recommendations within Windows. Unless this is something you want, set all items to Off.
  • Diagnostics & Feedback: Ensure Send optional diagnostic data is toggled Off. This sends only the essential information to Microsoft to keep Windows secure and running smoothly. The Optional setting shares much more detailed usage data, with no benefit to you.
  • Location: Review which apps have permission to access your location. It’s a good practice to turn off location access for apps that don’t genuinely require it.

Personalization

These settings help to customize the look and feel of Windows and allow you to turn off features that you don’t need or want to see. We’ll review a few key settings below. From Settings, select Personalization from the list on the left.

Within Settings > Personalization >

  • Lock screen: By default, the lock screen displays a lot of information as well as ads, both of which can be visually overwhelming. If you would like to reduce clutter, select Picture from the Personalize your lock screen dropdown, select a picture of your choosing, and uncheck the box next to Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.
  • Start: The Start menu in Windows also contains a lot of information that can be removed or customized to your liking based on personal preference. If you would like to avoid ads in the Start menu, set Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps and more to Off.
  • Taskbar: Here you will see options to hide certain elements from the main Taskbar that shows at the bottom of your screen. By default, Widgets are enabled, which is responsible the Weather (and pop up with many other things) on the left of the taskbar. If you would like to hide this section entirely, simply set Widgets to Off.

macOS Settings

You can access these settings in the System Settings app. Open it by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting System Settings.*

Privacy & Security

These settings give you control over what information apps can access and some control over what data Apple collects. From System Settings, select Privacy & Security from the list on the left.

Within System Settings > Privacy & Security >

  • Location Services: Review which apps have access to your location access and disable it for those that don’t need it.
  • Analytics & Improvements: You’ll find this section towards the bottom of the list. Disable all options. This prevents Apple from collecting data about your usage patterns, logs, location, etc.
  • Apple Advertising: Disable Personalized Ads. This limits the targeted ads you see in Apple’s apps. You’ll still see ads, but they won’t be targeted based on your personal interests and usage.
  • FileVault: This is the built-in disk encryption feature on macOS. Enabling it protects your data from unauthorized access and tampering if your device is lost or stolen.

Next, got back to System Settings and select Spotlight from the list on the left.

Within Settings > Spotlight >

  • Disable both Show Related Content and Help Apple Improve Search. The former prevents 3rd party promotional content from displaying and the latter disables sharing search data with Apple for analytics purposes.

Additional Helpful Tools

Below are a few tools that can further enhance your computer’s performance and security as well as your own experience.

For Windows:

  • O&O ShutUp10++: This tool simplifies the process of disabling Windows 11’s data collection features. It guides you through each option with clear explanations, allowing you to tailor your privacy settings with confidence. https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
  • GlassWire: A network monitor that shows you exactly which applications are connecting to the internet and what data they’re sending. This can help you identify potentially unwanted activity and improve your overall security. https://www.glasswire.com/

For Mac:

  • Little Snitch: A powerful firewall that gives you complete control over your outgoing network connections. It alerts you whenever an app tries to connect to the internet, allowing you to decide whether to allow or block the connection. While it has a learning curve, it provides a very high level of control over your network traffic. https://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html
  • PearCleaner: A utility tool that provides a user-friendly interface to cleanly remove/uninstall Apps or find orphaned files. It can also help manage plugins and services or clear system caches, temporary files, and other unnecessary data. https://github.com/alienator88/Pearcleaner

General (For Both Windows and Mac):

  • A Password Manager (Like Bitwarden or 1Password): Don’t reuse passwords! A password manager not only generates and securely stores strong, unique passwords and logins for online accounts, but remembers and inputs them for you when you need them.
  • A Browser Extension Ad Blocker (Like uBlock Origin or uBlock Origin Lite): Blocking ads improves your browsing speed, reduces data usage, and enhances your online privacy. It also just makes browsing the web a more enjoyable experience. uBlock Origin is a lightweight and effective ad blocker available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safai, and Opera.