HP LAPTOP 14-ep1194TU - Initial Setup, by McJollibat on YouTube. 2 min 10 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 10 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Plug the power adapter into the laptop and the wall, then press the power button. Windows starts and the first setup screen appears after a minute or two.
Choose your country or region and your keyboard layout, then click Yes. Add a second keyboard layout only if you type in another language.
Pick your Wi-Fi network from the list, click Connect and type the password. The laptop needs a connection to finish setup.
Read the license terms and click Accept. On the next screen, give the device a name or keep the suggested one.
Sign in with your Microsoft account, or choose the offline account option if you prefer a local login. Follow the prompts to confirm.
Create a PIN when asked, and add fingerprint or face sign-in if your model supports it. The PIN is quicker than typing your password.
Work through the privacy settings and turn off anything you do not want, such as ad personalisation or location. Click Accept to continue.
Wait while Windows finishes setting up your desktop. This can take several minutes, and the screen may go blank once or twice.
Open Settings, go to Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install everything offered, then restart if prompted.
Open the Start menu and remove preinstalled trial apps you do not need, and open HP Support Assistant to register the laptop and check drivers.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the charger plugged in for the whole setup so the laptop does not sleep partway through.
Skip the extra offers for Microsoft 365 or OneDrive storage during setup; you can add them later from the apps themselves.
If you do not want to link a Microsoft account, choose the offline account option instead of signing in.
Run Windows Update twice, since the first round often pulls in drivers that a second round of updates.
Questions
How long does the first setup take?
Most people finish in about 15 to 25 minutes, plus extra time for downloads and updates. A slow internet connection can stretch it to an hour.
Do I have to use a Microsoft account?
No. You can pick the offline account option and use a local username and password instead. Some features, like Microsoft Store purchases and cloud sync, work best with an account.
What if the laptop cannot find my Wi-Fi network?
Move closer to the router and check that the network is broadcasting on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. You can also finish setup with a phone hotspot, then reconnect at home.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
