How to Set Up a New Windows 11 PC in 2025 — The Complete UK Guide (Without a Microsoft Account)

📅 2026-03-21  ·  ✍️ Softkeys Tech Team  ·  🏷️ How-To

Just unboxed a new PC or finished a fresh Windows 11 install? Congratulations — and also, be careful. The default Windows 11 setup process is designed to funnel you into Microsoft's ecosystem whether you want it or not. Mandatory Microsoft account, OneDrive auto-sync, Copilot everywhere, telemetry turned up to maximum.

This guide shows you how to set up Windows 11 properly in 2025 — with privacy, performance, and control as priorities. We will walk through every step from first boot to a fully configured, debloated machine. Written specifically for UK users, with UK-relevant privacy and software recommendations.

Before You Start: What You Need

Make sure you have these ready before powering on:

• A Windows 11 product key — Windows 11 Pro from Softkeys.uk (£19.99) is our recommendation. Pro gives you local account setup without workarounds, plus BitLocker, Group Policy, and Remote Desktop.
• Internet connection — Wi-Fi password or Ethernet cable ready
• 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
• A notepad — to write down your product key and any passwords you create

Step 1: First Boot — Region and Keyboard

When you power on for the first time, Windows will ask for your region and keyboard layout.

1. Select United Kingdom as your region
2. Select United Kingdom keyboard layout
3. Skip the second keyboard layout unless you regularly type in another language

This sets your default currency to GBP, date format to DD/MM/YYYY, and spell-check to British English. Getting this right at the start saves fixing it later.

Step 2: Connect to the Internet (Or Do Not)

Windows 11 will now ask you to connect to a network.

If you are using Windows 11 Pro: You can skip this entirely and set up offline. Connect to Wi-Fi later after you have configured your account and privacy settings.

If you are using Windows 11 Home: Microsoft forces an internet connection. You must connect to proceed. If you want a local account on Home edition, connect to the internet, then when the Microsoft account screen appears, press Shift+F10 to open Command Prompt and type: oobe\bypassnro then press Enter. The PC will restart and offer an offline setup option.

This is one of the key reasons we recommend Windows 11 Pro. No workarounds needed — just click 'I don't have internet' or 'Domain join instead.'

Step 3: Account Setup — Local Account vs Microsoft Account

This is the most important decision in the entire setup process.

Option A — Local Account (recommended for privacy):

1. On Windows 11 Pro, click 'Set up for work or school'
2. Then click 'Sign-in options' → 'Domain join instead'
3. Create a username and password
4. Set up three security questions

Option B — Microsoft Account:

1. Enter your Microsoft email address
2. Enter your password
3. Complete two-factor authentication if enabled

Our recommendation: Start with a local account. You can always add a Microsoft account later in Settings if you decide you want OneDrive sync or Microsoft Store access. Going the other direction — removing a Microsoft account after setup — is much more complicated.

Step 4: Privacy Settings — Turn Off Everything You Do Not Need

After account setup, Windows presents a series of privacy toggles. Turn them all off unless you have a specific reason not to.

• Location — Off (turn on later per-app if needed)
• Find my device — Your choice (useful for laptops, not needed for desktops)
• Diagnostic data — Required only (Microsoft collects enough already)
• Inking & typing — Off
• Tailored experiences — Off (this is advertising)
• Advertising ID — Off

These settings reduce the amount of personal data Windows sends to Microsoft. Under UK GDPR, you have the right to minimise data collection, and these toggles are your first line of defence.

Step 5: Skip the Bloatware — Decline Everything Microsoft Offers

Windows will now try to get you to:

• Set up Microsoft 365 — Skip (we will install Office properly later)
• Set up OneDrive — Skip
• Set up Game Pass — Skip
• Customise your experience — Skip (this determines which ads and suggestions you see)

Every 'Skip' and 'Not now' button saves you from unwanted software, notifications, and upselling.

Step 6: First Login — Immediate Priorities

You are now at the Windows 11 desktop. Before you do anything else, handle these three tasks:

Priority 1: Run Windows Update

1. Open Settings → Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates
3. Install everything and restart when prompted
4. Check again after restart — updates often come in waves

Priority 2: Activate Windows

1. Open Settings → System → Activation
2. Click Change product key
3. Enter your Windows 11 Pro key from Softkeys.uk
4. Click Activate

Activation is instant with Softkeys.uk keys. You will see 'Windows is activated' confirmation immediately.

Priority 3: Create a Restore Point

1. Search for 'Create a restore point' in the Start menu
2. Select your main drive (usually C:)
3. Click Create and name it 'Fresh setup'

This gives you a safety net. If anything goes wrong during the next steps, you can restore to this clean state.

Step 7: Remove Pre-Installed Bloatware

Most new PCs come with manufacturer bloatware — trial antivirus software, games you did not ask for, and utilities you do not need. Windows itself also installs apps like Clipchamp, TikTok, Instagram, and various games.

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps
2. Sort by Install date
3. Uninstall anything you do not recognise or need

Safe to remove: McAfee/Norton trials, manufacturer utilities (HP Support Assistant, Dell SupportAssist — unless you actually use them), Clipchamp, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, Disney+, any games you did not install.

Do not remove: Microsoft Edge (system dependency), Microsoft Store, .NET Framework, Visual C++ Redistributables.

Step 8: Install Essential Software

Now install what you actually need:

Office Suite: Install Office 2024 Pro Plus (£29.99) or Office 365 Pro Plus Lifetime (£19.99 for 5 devices) from Softkeys.uk. After purchasing, you receive instant download instructions and your product key. Install takes approximately 10 minutes.

Web Browser: Download your preferred browser — Chrome, Firefox, or Brave. Set it as default in Settings → Apps → Default apps.

Security: Windows Defender (built-in) is genuinely good in 2025. Unless you have specific enterprise requirements, you do not need third-party antivirus. Save your money.

Other essentials: 7-Zip (file compression), VLC (media player), Adobe Reader (PDFs). All free.

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Step 9: Configure Windows 11 for Performance

Out of the box, Windows 11 wastes resources on visual effects and background processes. Here is how to optimise it:

Disable startup programs:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the Startup apps tab
3. Disable anything you do not need at boot — Spotify, Discord, OneDrive (if not using), Teams, Skype

Optimise visual effects (older hardware):

1. Search for 'Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows'
2. Select 'Adjust for best performance'
3. Re-enable 'Show thumbnails instead of icons' and 'Smooth edges of screen fonts'

Disable unnecessary services (Windows 11 Pro with Group Policy):

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components
3. Disable: Windows Copilot, Cloud Content (disables Start menu suggestions), Consumer Experiences (disables bloatware reinstallation)

This is another area where Windows 11 Pro shines — Group Policy gives you granular control that Home users simply do not have.

Step 10: Set Up Backups — Do Not Skip This

Every week, the Softkeys.uk support team hears from UK users who have lost important files because they never set up backups. Do not be one of them.

Option 1: Windows Backup (built-in)

1. Search for 'Backup settings'
2. Add an external drive or network location
3. Enable automatic backups

Option 2: File History

1. Connect an external USB drive
2. Search for 'File History'
3. Turn it on and select which folders to back up

Option 3: Cloud backup — Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for critical files.

The 3-2-1 rule applies: 3 copies of important data, on 2 different media types, with 1 offsite. At minimum, get an external drive and enable File History. It takes five minutes and could save you from disaster.

Step 11: Security Hardening for UK Users

Windows 11 Pro includes excellent security features — but some need manual activation:

Enable BitLocker:

1. Open Control Panel → BitLocker Drive Encryption
2. Click Turn on BitLocker for your C: drive
3. Save your recovery key to a USB drive AND print a copy
4. Choose 'Encrypt entire drive'

Enable Windows Hello (if hardware supports it):

1. Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options
2. Set up fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN

Review app permissions:

1. Settings → Privacy & security
2. Review Camera, Microphone, Location permissions
3. Remove access from apps that should not have it

Your New PC Is Ready

If you have followed every step, you now have a Windows 11 PC that is:

• ✅ Activated with a genuine licence
• ✅ Updated to the latest security patches
• ✅ Free of bloatware and unnecessary services
• ✅ Configured for privacy with minimal data collection
• ✅ Protected with BitLocker encryption
• ✅ Backed up automatically
• ✅ Running Office for productivity

The entire process takes about an hour, and the result is a machine that is faster, more private, and more secure than 90% of PCs in the UK. Not because of expensive hardware, but because you took the time to set it up properly.

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