How to complete setup after install of Windows 11

After the installation, you should download any available system and driver updates and confirm that Windows 11 is properly activated.

Install updates

To check for updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the Check for updates button.

Once you complete the steps, the available updates will download and install automatically.

Check missing drivers

To determine whether device drivers are missing, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Confirm that none of the devices have a yellow or red mark, and make sure nothing is listed as unknown.

If multiple devices have problems, you may need to manually download and install the latest drivers from your computer manufacturer’s support website.

Install missing drivers

Windows Update may also include updates for drivers, but these might be optional installs. If the device is missing one or multiple drivers, you may be able to download them from Windows Update.

To download missing drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the Advanced options page.
4. Under the “Additional options” section, click the Optional updates option.

Quick tip: If the option isn’t available, it means that Windows Update doesn’t have any driver updates for your device at that time.

5. Click the Driver updates section.
6. Select the missing driver.
7. Click the Download and install button.

After you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install the missing drivers automatically.

Confirm activation

To confirm Windows 11 was activated correctly, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Activation page on the right-side.
4. Click the Activation state setting.
5. If Windows 11 is activated successfully, one of the following messages would appear:
   • Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but it isn’t linked to your Microsoft account.
   • Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.

If the installation is not activated, the system will try to reactivate at a later time.

Reinstall apps

Once you complete the post-installation steps, it’s time to reinstall your applications, including your favorite web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to browse the web if different from Microsoft Edge.