A clean Windows installed is a great way to keep your PC shut down. However, every time you do this, some important features reset their microsoft defaults – including some that can permanently lock you.
6
Back up your Bitlocker Recovery Key
Since Windows 11 24h2, Device encryption Microsoft is installed and signed with an account automatically turns on. It only affects fresh installed or new PCs with 24h2 preinstall – not upgraded. You can go and see it Settings> Privacy and Safety> Device Encryption,
While automatic encryption is great for security, there is a catch: Microsoft stores your recovery key in the cloud, but it may not be clear during the setup. If your system sometimes crashes, boot issues are, or undergoing significant hardware changes, Windows will require this 48-conductive key to unlock your files.
In most cases, you can simply sign in with your microsoft account to recover the key. However, if you cannot reach your account-Maybe you forget the password, two-factor authentication was lost, or your account was compromised-you would need a backup. Without a key, your data has gone forever.
To find and return your Bitalocker recovery key, sign in Microsoft account online And navigate Device> Manage Bitalocker keysYou will see a list of recovery keys associated with your equipment. Each key is one Identification When your computer requires the key, it matches. We recommend printing this key and store it safely somewhere, or save it on the USB drive that you keep separate from your computer. You can also take a photo with your phone – just make sure it is backup somewhere.
If you do not like to use the device encryption, you can disable it through the tole Settings> Privacy and Safety> Device EncryptionRemember that doing so is safety security for convenience, and on modern systems, the performance difference of encryption is usually negligible.
Connected
Why I use a safety key to keep my most important accounts safe
If you want to promote your account safety, I strongly recommend taking a safety key.
5
Enable System Safet
System Protection is Windows’ Built-in Time Machine for your system files and settings. When something goes wrong – perhaps a driver update breaks your audio, or a program installation system files – you can use a restore point to undo the changes and reinstall your PCs at the earlier point where everything was working correctly.
Windows disable this feature by default to protect the disc space, especially on devices with limited storage. While I understand the logic, it leaves you without a safety trap. Even if you are already following a appropriate backup strategy for your Windows 11 PC, the system is a great way to undo the unpredictable changes that break your computer.
Before you can create a system restoration, you need to enable system safety. To do this, click StartType See advanced system settingsAnd open it with search results. In the system Property Dialogue, open system protection Tab.
Select your system drive (usually C:), Click ConfigureChoose more Turn on system protectionI usually set it to use about 5–10% of my drive space-enough for many restoration points without much storage. Click apply To save changes.
Now make your first restore point: in System properties Dialogue, click MakeName your restoration point, and click Make again. Although it creates a manual restore point, you should also look at our guides about making and using the restoration points in Windows 11 to learn about automated scheduling and other management tips.
4
Update Windows and install the latest drivers
Windows update begins to bother you almost immediately after a new installed, but as it turns out, they are first updates. They often include security patch, driver updates, and fix for issues you have cropped since creating installation media.
Go Settings> Windows update And install all pending updates. Until no more updates are available, keep running Windows updates. It usually takes at least two rounds updates with the middle restart. Do not leave this step, thinking that you will do it later – I have seen many people participate in strange issues that prevent a simple update.
After Windows is updated, this driver is the time for Windows updates. Your graphics drivers need special attention. Windows installs basic display drivers who work, but they are terrible to perform. To update your graphics drivers in Windows 11, Head to Head Navidia Or AMD website And download their official driver tool. This will ensure that you customize the latest drivers for your specific graphics cards.
When you are doing this housekeeping, take a few minutes to remove Windows Blotware which is preinstalling. Even a clean install includes apps such as candy crush and various microsoft services that you can never use.
3
Change your power settings
If you want to run your system in your best form, Windows’s default power settings are conservative. On a fresh install, Windows usually misses Balanced genreWhich seems appropriate, but throts your CPU and other components to save electricity.
Go to Settings> System> Power and Battery And expand power mode Section. For desktop, and when plug in, switch Best performanceYes, it uses more power, but your system will feel quite snapier. For laptop on battery, you want to keep Balanced genre or even Best power efficiencyDepending on your needs.
Also, check Energy saver settings When you are there. By default, it kicks 20% of the battery, which can be very aggressive if you are near a charger. I have found that these Windows 11 settings maximize the battery life of their laptops without sacrificing too much performance.
2
Close unnecessary information
Latest Windows 11 installed to eleven with notifications. Each app wants to tell you something, from news updates to tips about the features you will never use. After a few days, the pinging continuously goes crazy.
Go Settings> Systems> Notifications And start pruning. Close Show me Windows Welcome Experience And Get suggestions and suggestions Immediately – these are only advertising advertisements in the form of “auxiliary tips”. Then go through the app list below and disable information for anything non-necessary. I keep information for communication apps, calendars and safety equipment, but everything else becomes silent.
These are just the basics of notification control. For more advanced options such as installing focus support profiles, choosing priority contact, and making time-based rules, check our wide guides on taming Windows 11 notifications.
1
Review privacy settings
Microsoft’s default is privacy settings, suppose, generous with their data collection. A fresh install shows you in too much everything: diagnostic data, sewn experience, advertising ID tracking, and more. While some of this data help improve Windows, you may want to dial it back.
Settings> Go to privacy and security And work in your own way through each section. Under GeneralI stop everything except Websites show me locally relevant contentUnder Diagnosis and responseswitch from Alternative clinical data To Only required clinical data,
Do not forget about app permissions either – camera, microphone, location, and more – you should review which apps have access to. You will be surprised how many apps have requested permissions, they do not really need.
These steps convert a vanilla Windows 11 properly into configures, safe systems. Yes, it takes about 20–30 minutes to work through everything, but this time is spent well. You will avoid potential issues such as losing access to encrypted files, enjoying better performance, and will be peace of mind to know your system.
Meanwhile, there are many other ways to improve your Windows 11 experience, including the most annoying Windows 11 features. Your future will thank you for taking time out to improve your system.
