# Guidance on a new computer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2024, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802 "2024-09-05T04:03:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/21 "2024-09-05T14:44:46Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > - That sounds like Microsoft OneDrive which is their cloud storage option. It can be free for a little storage (up to 5GB) or [cost money for more](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/compare-onedrive-plans). It’s up to you if you want it. There are certainly other competitors out there that do the same thing which you can use if you prefer. Or not. If you want to [turn off OneDrive see here.](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0) > - Delete McAfee is my best advice. You can use it if you want and it will cost you money but I recommend getting it off your PC. You can [uninstall programs here.](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uninstall-or-remove-apps-and-programs-in-windows-4b55f974-2cc6-2d2b-d092-5905080eaf98#ID0EBD=Windows_11) The built-in protection is Windows Defender. It’s just there. You can find other antivirus programs at a cost if you want. They are mostly not needed these days unless you know you need the added protection. I use [Eset](https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/) because I am keen on extra protection but it costs money. > - Most people suggest [Malware Bytes.](https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download) It’s a bit of added protection. Some (most?) anti-virus programs protect the same way. Malware Bytes can be free or cost money for more thorough protection. Generally I see Malware Bytes protection as protection while browsing but not protection from email threats or viruses from things like a USB drive. > - Ad-blockers are great. I love them. They are an add-on to your browser. The browser you use will usually be Microsoft Edge (built-in to all Windows PCs…can’t get rid of it), Chrome (Google), Firefox or Opera. There are others like Brave as well (which has a built-in ad-blocker). +1. Or is it +4? Microsoft sets up your machine to store in the cloud on OneDrive. I would advise you that if you do not want to use it to turn it off immediately. But traces will remain. My desktop in in the OneDrive folder and my laptop still wants to default to OD as my save spot even though it is turned off. McAfee is not the goto like it was in the 1990’s. MalwareBytes is excellent and last I check Kaspersky’s was pretty good too. I run both. Run Ublock and AdAware as you blockers and you will be very happy - especially if you use youtube. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/22 "2024-09-05T14:51:11Z")
I would skip the Kaspersky. Even if the Russian government ties are untrue, because of sanctions it’s literally illegal for you to purchase the software as of July 20, 2024, and you cannot get updates past September 29, 2024. Kaspersky has closed its US offices and laid off all American employees. Windows Defender and Malwarebytes should be sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/23 "2024-09-05T14:53:51Z")
Or, even just Defender, unless you’re investigating cyber attacks or something. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/24 "2024-09-05T15:25:50Z")
I just set up a brand new HP laptop for my mom, running Windows 11. Turning off OneDrive and and uninstalling McAffee are the only things I had to do to “decrapify” it. I don’t think it’s worthwhile to re-install Windows. You will still get all of the annoying bits - OneDrive, all the Microsoft365 prompts, XBox, etc - and will have wasted your time. ---
**Author:** ![edouglas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@edouglas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edouglas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/25 "2024-09-05T15:55:30Z")
Anywhere you type to do a search, type add remove. You will get web pages that show you how to add or remove programs, such as removing McAfee. The McAfee web site also shows you how to remove it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/26 "2024-09-05T16:00:53Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Even if the Russian government ties are untrue, because of sanctions it’s literally illegal for you to purchase the software as of July 20, 2024, and you cannot get updates past September 29, 2024. Kaspersky has closed its US offices and laid off all American employees. Time to cancel my subscription. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/27 "2024-09-05T17:19:37Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I just set up a brand new HP laptop for my mom, running Windows 11. Turning off OneDrive and and uninstalling McAffee are the only things I had to do to “decrapify” it. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Microsoft sets up your machine to store in the cloud on OneDrive. I would advise you that if you do not want to use it to turn it off immediately. But traces will remain. My desktop in in the OneDrive folder and my laptop still wants to default to OD as my save spot even though it is turned off. I have a couple of simple questions about OneDrive. I recently helped someone set up a new computer with Windows 11 and Office 2021 (not Office 365) but I’m unfamiliar with the latest tricks Microsoft has been pulling with recent versions of Windows. Does “turning it off” mean the same thing as Microsoft called “unlinking” **[in this description](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0)**? I know @Whack-a-Mole already linked to this help page but Microsoft offers a variety of different options. Is it necessary to also uninstall the OneDrive app? What does OneDrive do by default if you don’t turn it off? I understand it works with Office 365 but Office 2021 is the traditional version of Office that you buy once and that lives on your computer – it doesn’t do “clouds” and is not subscription-based. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/28 "2024-09-05T17:30:29Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have a couple of simple questions about OneDrive Unlinking is sort of the same as turning it off, yeah. But more specifically, it is unlinking THAT computer from your OneDrive account. If you only have one computer, that’s that. If you work from multiple computers (work PC, home PC, laptop, etc.) you could still have OneDrive “turned on” in general, but not accessed/used by the unlinked computer. You can, with moderate to expert actions, completely obliterate OneDrive, but just unlinking it at least solves the data privacy concerns. When I’m helping someone with a new computer, I always go a step further and move their desktop folder and default documents save location out of the folder with “OneDrive” in its name, since it’s confusing to have stuff in that folder if you aren’t actually syncing it to the cloud. But it’s harmless not to make that change otherwise. Implicit in the above is some of “what does it do?” It can make it so that your desktop and your documents carry over from computer to computer, and it provides cloud storage for the same. This is useful when you might switch machines either routinely or even just occasionally (e.g., machine replacement; recovery from hardware failure). I like to keep my own stuff under my “own roof”, though, so I eschew the cloud wherever practical, despite some of the benefits. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/29 "2024-09-05T17:37:35Z")
It’s primarily a ploy to get you to pay for more cloud storage. They give you 5 GB “free” with your account, but any more than that’s gonna cost ya. That being said, as far as cloud storage options go, they’re actually not that bad a deal. Their cheapest paid plan is $19.99/year for 100GB, same as Google Drive or Amazon, and significantly cheaper than Dropbox or Mega. It does all start to more or less even out at higher storage options, 2TB and up. There are cheaper options available but it all depends on who you trust with your stuff (and if you’re paying monthly or annually). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/30 "2024-09-05T17:41:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It’s primarily a ploy to get you to pay for more cloud storage. They give you 5 GB “free” with your account, but any more than that’s gonna cost ya. Which is exactly the same thing that the other cloud providers, like Apple (with iCloud) or Google (with Google Drive) do. If your needs are satisfied with the free allowance, that may be fine. And of course there’s nothing wrong with paying for more storage. Using a cloud service like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, Dropbox, [Box.com](http://Box.com) or any of the others may offer you confidence that your files are secure and accessible from multiple devices and locations. My company, for instance, uses Google Drive, so I can access documents on my phone or any company computer. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/31 "2024-09-05T17:43:08Z")
As for backup - I have some 1TB USB drives (Actually, 2x1TB, a 4TB, 6TB, and 8TB). You can regularly copy the your onto these. Typically, my music folder (iTunes), photos folder, the folder with old mail PST’s (as far back as 2003), ebooks, as well as Documents and Pictures folders. I also keep an Installs folder, where I try to put any software from online I’ve downloaded to install. Hopefully your Documents folder or email includes saved copies of install keys for most software. Doing this manually can take time, but a lot of this is simply updating with anything new. My photos from 2000 to 2023 are not changing today. Occasionally do a full refresh. Then unplug the drive. Malware is typically If you are truly paranoid, find a safe or offsite place for these drives. 2 copies and rotating them regularly is another safe idea. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/32 "2024-09-05T18:36:27Z")
Sorry, distracted during answer - Malware is typically ransomware which will encrypt your drive. The only safe solution to it is to fully wipe and reinstall windows, and then reinstall software and restore files. Even if it is trojans that allow a takeover of your PC, the safest course is to wipe and reinstall Windows from scratch. Also, I’m paranoid in not having my bank password (different from any others) saved on my PC. I have to enter it every time. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/33 "2024-09-05T18:37:36Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > My desktop in in the OneDrive folder and my laptop still wants to default to OD It only took me a year to figure out that stuff I put in the ‘Desktop’ folder wasn’t really on my laptop. Fortunately I only had a handful of files that I needed to move. I will definitely look into the hints in this thread to turn off OneDrive. I’ve been using Google Drive for a long time and have no plans to switch. ETA: Another voice in the chorus to get rid of McAfee. I don’t think the Add/Remove Windows program will wipe it completely, but there are free programs to do that, which have also been referenced in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/34 "2024-09-05T18:52:33Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > It only took me a year to figure out that stuff I put in the ‘Desktop’ folder wasn’t really on my laptop. Fortunately I only had a handful of files that I needed to move. I totally don’t understand this. You seem to be saying that if you have no internet connection, you no longer have a desktop? I thought the OneDrive “sync” idea was that it automatically backed up your desktop icons and your Documents folder, but they all remained on your computer. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/35 "2024-09-05T19:06:44Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Even if the Russian government ties are untrue, because of sanctions it’s literally illegal for you to purchase the software as of July 20, 2024, and you cannot get updates past September 29, 2024. Kaspersky has closed its US offices and laid off all American employees. A quick Google suggests that it’s not banned here in Canada, but is not permitted on federal government devices. But even if I am able to get it, sounds like there are enough red flags that I shouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/36 "2024-09-05T19:14:03Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > But even if I am able to get it, sounds like there are enough red flags that I shouldn’t. There was a time when Kaspersky was widely regarded as the best anti-virus product. I once used it to both detect and clean a virus that other AV products couldn’t even see. It’s very sad that politics has undermined a really talented group, but yes, there is reason to be wary of Kaspersky today. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/37 "2024-09-05T19:15:51Z")
I think McAfee has become a phishing company. Even though I uninstalled it, I still get emails from them saying they have extended my subscription and the billing should show on my credit card within 24 hours. Of course, they don’t have my credit card number and nothing ever shows up. I think they expect me to call them and … what? My policy is never to open an email attachment unless the email is accompanied by a personal note showing that the person really knows me. If I don’t know the sender, I just delete it. If it appears to come from someone I know, I will ask that person (using my stored address for them–_not_ the reply button–if they really sent me an attachment. And if I send someone an attachment, it is always accompanied by a personal note that makes it obvious that it is from the real me. One curiosity: MS won’t allow me to even start an account; I need permission from my “guardian”. What’s that all about? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/38 "2024-09-05T19:41:06Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > If you really want Windows, run this script: [Tron fights for the User](https://old.reddit.com/r/TronScript) and it should eliminate Onedrive, McAfee, and a bunch of other crap. To be frank, training an unsophisticated user like @Northern_Piper - no disrespect intended NP! - to run a random script from the internet is about the worst security practice possible. > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I think McAfee has become a phishing company. Even though I uninstalled it, I still get emails from them saying they have extended my subscription and the billing should show on my credit card within 24 hours. Of course, they don’t have my credit card number and nothing ever shows up. I think they expect me to call them and … what? This is likely phishing and not actually from McAfee. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/39 "2024-09-05T19:46:29Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > To be frank, training an unsophisticated user like @Northern_Piper - no disrespect intended NP! - to run a random script from the internet is about the worst security practice possible No probs - that was my reaction as well. I know my limitations. 😵‍💫 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802/40 "2024-09-05T19:58:46Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I know my limitations. So do I. I’ve been working with computers my whole life, though not with PCs until recent decades, and am in just about exactly the same boat as you when it comes to newfangled stuff like Windows 11, which is why I was asking about OneDrive. In fact my position is even worse, because I’m trying to help a friend and don’t have direct access to the PC to play around with things. So I appreciate the feedback from several posters so far about OneDrive. It also occurs to me that I was walking my friend through the initial setup over the phone, the process where you boot up a new PC for the first time and it runs you through a bunch of setup questions, typically referred to as “OOBE” – the “Out Of Box Experience”. And there is apparently a question that comes up with Windows 11 setup about “do you want files stored locally on this computer?” or something similar to that. I don’t specifically remember but with my aversion to “cloud” computing (which was also the reason I recommended Outlook 2021 for them rather than Outlook 365) I’m sure that I would have told them absolutely to answer “yes”. Apparently that turns off all the OneDrive shenanigans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guidance-on-a-new-computer/1006802.md?page=3)