How to Set Up Your Windows PC as a Student

Before you get stuck into your studies, take some time to set up your PC the right way.

The way you organize your computer for studies directly impacts how productive you will be. Every little tweak you make saves you a couple of minutes, and when done correctly, these few minutes can add up to a lot.

If you want to attend classes virtually or set up your PC in your dorm room, we'll share tips and tricks to help you set it up the right way.

1. Pin Shortcuts to Frequently Used Apps to the Taskbar

Using the taskbar, you can access any app or software with a single click. Thus, pinning your most frequently used apps could make them more accessible, saving you the time and effort of searching through their folders.

Therefore, the first step in setting up your PC should be to pin the most frequently used apps to the taskbar. Among these are task management and to-do list apps, file viewers, word processors, etc.

You can add any app or software to the taskbar by navigating to the folder where it is installed, right-clicking on the app, and selecting Pin to taskbar.

Alternatively, you can open the app, right-click on the shortcut in the taskbar, and select Pin to taskbar. Any pinned application can be unpinned by simply clicking on it and then hitting Unpin from the taskbar.

2. Set Up a Backup

As a student, you cannot afford to lose your valuable school data, such as assignments you have yet to submit or the research material you've gathered after working for days. Therefore, you should make sure that your data is backed up properly.

Check out our detailed Windows backup and restore guide if you've never backed up your files before. Alternatively, you also use third-party backup programs or cloud storage services to back up your files and folders.

By doing so, you'll be able to restore your academic data and get your PC into working condition again in the event of a disaster.

3. Make Your Device's Security Foolproof

Even though having your data backed up gives you peace of mind, reinstalling the OS the day before your final exams can give you a bit of a headache. To prevent malware from infecting your computer at a crucial time, you should take preventive measures beforehand.

You should ensure that your Microsoft Defender Firewall is fully functional or customize it according to your preferences. You can also install free antivirus software to add another layer of security and turn on Windows' built-in ransomware protection to prevent this dreaded malware from ruining your day.

Additionally, you should avoid downloading files and folders from unknown and less safe sources, even if you find a free copy of a premium product. Whenever you download files, make sure they are safe. If your antivirus warns you about malware, don't let the downloaded file sit there for a second longer.

4. Make It Easy to Protect Your Files and Folders

It is vital to lock your files and folders so that your friends cannot access the project data you intend not to divulge.

Check out our article covering software to hide and lock your folders. So, pick a program you like and lock the folders containing sensitive data. Doing so will keep prying eyes at bay.

5. Bypass the Login Password Screen

Logging in each time you boot up your computer by adding a password can be very stressful. In addition to wasting time, it can also disrupt your flow and momentum. Bypassing the login password screen will allow you to log in automatically and start working immediately.

To bypass the login password, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Windows Start button and go to Settings.
2. Go to Accounts settings.
3. Navigate to the Sign-in options in the left sidebar.

If you have set up a PIN to sign in, click on Windows Hello PIN, click on Remove, and verify your account password to remove the PIN from your account. You can skip this step if you haven't set up a PIN already.

The next step is to remove the password. To do so, click on Password and then click Change. Next, enter your current password and click Next. You can leave the fields for New password, Confirm password, and Password hint blank. Finally, click Next and Finish.

It's never a good idea to bypass the login screen if multiple people use the same computer. Be careful not to compromise your security by doing that. Moreover, remember to revert this change whenever you hand over your Windows laptop to someone else.

6. Change the File Opening Preferences for Different Files

Setting up your files to open in a specific app is crucial to improving your workflow. Therefore, you should adjust the file opening preferences for each file type. For instance, you can set all PDFs to open in a particular app, such as Edge.

To change the file opening preference, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the folder containing the PDF file.
2. Right-click the file and select Properties.
3. Click on the Change button next to Opens with.
4. Choose the app you want to use to view PDFs.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Apply and hit OK.
   

In the same way, as we have set all PDF files to open in Edge, you can set all your files to open in the apps you prefer. Follow the same procedure for all file types.

Other Tips to Follow to Set Up Your Computer Properly

The following are some tips that you should always follow when setting up a Windows PC to increase your productivity:

1. Only keep valuable documents and shortcuts on your desktop to keep it clutter-free at all times.
2. Create a separate account to manage only your studies and keep your personal account separate.
3. Configure a custom "lost and found" notice on the login screen to assist you in finding your laptop when lost.

Set Up Your Windows PC for Studies

Hopefully, following the above tips will help you set up your computer for study in the right way. Try out all the settings and stick with the ones that work best in helping you be more productive while studying.

Have you ever used multiseat software? It is worth trying out multiseat software if you share a computer with someone else. You need to purchase a few extra accessories for the second user, and two people can enjoy working on a single computer simultaneously.