So you buy a new computer.. what customizations do you make immediately? (laptop, Linux)

[ragnarkar]

On a laptop, I immediately set the laptop to "Do Nothing" when the lid is closed. I have a habit of closing the lid when moving the computer or when not using it but it doesn't imply it should be shut down.

Another one (Windows computers only):

Show Hidden Files in Explorer
Show File Extensions in Explorer

[harhar]

I usually build them myself so...I make all of the customizations immediately.

If it's a laptop I'll install a fresh copy of Windows...or an image.

In terms of what you're thinking, I'd probably set-up autologon for myself, but still retain a password obviously.

[eric3781]

Uninstall bloat, TweakUI, CCleaner the startup to remove crap, get AV

[kazyn]

[rcsteiner]

Gads. It depends. I'll either wipe it and reinstall the OS, then image it, or I'll wipe it and install some other OS and than image it. :-)

For Windows, I usually tweak Filemanager to show hidden, all files, etc., install a copy of my normal utility set (TweakUI, VirtuaWin, WinRoll, SpaceMonger, Space, Process Explorer, Malwarebytes, a few other things), and then image it again to have a reference point.

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

On a laptop, I immediately set the laptop to "Do Nothing" when the lid is closed. I have a habit of closing the lid when moving the computer or when not using it but it doesn't imply it should be shut down.

Another one (Windows computers only):

Show Hidden Files in Explorer
Show File Extensions in Explorer

The biggest change I make in Windows (Vista and up) is to run the "Classical" interface, as well as install Firefox and OpenOffice (my two most used applications.)

The biggest change I make in Linux is to install Windows "web" fonts and set them as my default fonts.

[Asheville Native]

Wipe the drive and reinstall the OS to get rid of all the bloatware, crippleware, crapware vendors install.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

Show Hidden Files in Explorer
Show File Extensions in Explorer

I used to do that but don't anymore. Don't see the point anymore.
Much cleaner with hidden files hidden. And if I need access to them I know where to go to turn it back on. Which is pretty much never.

Don't see much need to always see the .doc .xls blabla anymore either.

[ReblTeen84]

I build them myself, so I don't have to worry about all that mess. Install the OS clean, Office, drivers, games, antivirus, etc. If it's a laptop, I dump all the bloatware and trial software and install full copies. Been known to reformat one or two. New laptop is a Mac, so didn't have to worry about that, just had to install Parallels and setup BootCamp.

[davebarnes]

Given that I use Migration Assistant to move from the old PC to the new one, I don't have to make any customizations. Already in place.