Windows is the most popular platform on the planet with 78 percent of the global market share.The operating system's popularity makes it an ideal target for criminals.Creating a good password, performing updates, and tightening your security settings are some of the ways to secure a Windows 10 PC.
Step 1: Don't use obvious words and character combinations.
A good password is needed to gain access to a PC.Passwords like 1234abcd, password1, and ilovemydog are easy to guess.To make your password harder to crack, use a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Step 2: Only a unique password can be created for your Windows 10 PC.
It's tempting to use a secure password across multiple platforms once you've created one.Your Windows 10 PC could be compromised if a hacker cracks that password on any platform.Make sure your passwords are different for different services.Pre-generated passwords are more complex than any humans will create.Accept the recommended password is a good idea if you are using an app that suggests a password.
Step 3: Password managers like LastPass and 1Password can be used.
Password fields are automatically filled in web pages, programs and apps with the help of these services.They can make your passwords stronger during the setup process.
Step 4: You should change your passwords regularly.
The most trustworthy sites and apps have weaknesses that can leak your password.If your password is cracked, it won't be usable for a long time.
Step 5: Don't keep passwords in digital notes.
A hacker will have access to all of your accounts if they get into your system and find a document or note with your passwords.If you have to log your password on paper, make sure you keep the paper in a safe place.
Step 6: Go to account.microsoft.com/security in your web browser.
Prying eyes could watch you enter a password and then access your PC later.A second form of verification is needed if you want to access your Microsoft account.
Step 7: You have to log in with your Microsoft account.
You can log in to Windows 10 using the same account name and password.
Step 8: Under "Two-step verification", click turn.
The blue bar is at the top of the page.Follow the instructions on the screen to verify your phone number or email address.
Step 9: Click to set up verification.
Step 10: Click next to continue.
Step 11: Click Next to write down your recovery code.
In case you lose access to your second device, keep this code in a safe place.
Step 12: Your second device should be configured.
To do this, you need to select your mobile platform and follow the on-screen instructions to replace your current Microsoft password with a pre-generated code.
Step 13: You can save your changes by clicking Finish.
When you log into your Microsoft account, you'll get a verification code on your phone or tablet that you have to verify.You'll be able to log in securely if you have access to that device.
Step 14: You can open your windows settings.
You can find it in the start menu.Passwords are old fashioned and hard to remember, especially when you juggle more than a few.You can create a PIN, use a fingerprints, or use your face to log in.Password entry can be replaced with a physical device with the Security Key option.
Step 15: Click Update and Security.
It is the icon of two arrows.
Step 16: You can click Windows Security in the left panel.
Step 17: Account Protection can be found in the right panel.
"Protection areas" is what it's under.This opens a new window.
Step 18: The right panel has sign-in options.
"Windows Hello" is what it's under.
Step 19: To set up facial recognition, click on Windows Hello Face.
Your PC won't support this feature if you see "This option is currently unavailable".Follow the on-screen instructions to set up facial recognition.This option requires you to position your face the same way Windows Hello captured it.
Step 20: To set up fingerprints, click on Windows Hello.
If you have a cut or burn on the scanned fingertip, you could run into problems.Your PC won't support this feature if you see "This option is currently unavailable".Follow the instructions on the screen to use your fingerprints.
Step 21: To create a brief PIN, click Windows Hello PIN.
This is an easy way to get into Windows 10.If you feel confident that nobody will see you enter your PIN, you should do this.
Step 22: To create a physical security key, click the Security Key.
You can use this option to set up your physical security key.
Step 23: You can open your windows settings.
You can find it in the start menu.This method can be used to make sure that login credentials are entered when the PC wakes from sleep mode.People can't move the mouse or hit a key to gain access to the sleeping system.
Step 24: Click Accounts.
The option has the outline of a person's head and shoulders.
Step 25: There are sign-in options in the left panel.
Step 26: From the Require sign-in method, select when the PC wakes up.
It's at the top of the right panel.Once you've selected this option, your PC will require your default sign-in method each time it wakes from sleep.
Step 27: You can open your Windows settings.
You can find it in the start menu.There is a suite of security features in Windows 10.This method shows you where these features are located.
Step 28: Click on Update and Security.
It's the option with two curved arrows.
Step 29: You can click Windows Security in the left panel.
The right panel has a list of protection areas.
Step 30: Click to get threat protection.
The right panel has it at the top.This opens the Security window.
Step 32: The On position has all available options.
If you don't enable them now, some or all may already be turned on.
Step 33: Click network protection in the left panel.
Step 34: The firewalls should be turned on for all networks.
All network types should be protected.Click on the "Firewall is off" option if you want to turn it on.Windows Defender does a good job of managing inbound and outbound network traffic, so you don't have to make any changes.There may be cases when you need to change network connections.When prompted by Windows Defender to approve network access, you accidentally hit a game.You can access your settings by clicking near the bottom of the right panel if you need to make changes.
Step 35: The left panel has app and browser controls.
It is in the middle of the menu.
Step 36: All settings should be adjusted in the right panel.
If a threat is detected, you'll be prompted to block it manually, if the first three are set to Warn.If you're being bombarded with warnings, you may want to set one or more of these options to automatically.Sometimes safe apps can be wrongly flagged as unsafe and be blocked.
Step 37: For isolated browsing in Edge, install the Windows Defender Application Guard.
If you use Windows 10 Professional and want to make sure your users are protected when using the Microsoft Edge web browser, this step is required.Click under the "Isolated browsing" heading in the right panel to do so.You can select both.To restart the system, click and follow the instructions on the screen.
Step 38: Check for updates that haven't been installed.
There may be a gap between the update's release date and the time it takes to get to your PC if Windows 10 is set up to automatically download and install updates.If you've heard about a new update being released or are experiencing issues with your PC, try checking for an update using these steps:Click the magnifying glass icon if you don't see the search bar.You can find the results by clicking in the search results.The button is at the top of the right panel.Downloads will begin immediately if an update is found.During the download, you can keep working in other apps.You'll be prompted to restart your computer once the download is complete.If you don't want to use the computer for a while, click to schedule a restart.Click to complete the update.
Step 39: Allow updates to be restricted to certain hours.
If you need to defer updates, Windows 10 won't restart at the wrong time.If your computer is shut down in the middle of your work, this change could delay important security updates from being installed.Click on the Start menu to set this up.Click if you want to.It is the icon of two arrows.You can click in the right panel.You can choose the hours you use your computer.When you don't want Windows to do automatic updates, you should enter a time period.Click to accept your changes.slide the "Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity" to the On position if you prefer Windows to determine the best time to run updates.
Step 40: New updates should be delayed by a specific period.
If you have a reason to suspect an update is going to harm your PC, you should do this.If updates are important, why delay them?Compatibility and stability are reasons.Microsoft wants updates to work, but sometimes they don't.There are thousands of hardware, software, and app configurations in Windows 10.To delay new updates, click the Start menu and select.Click if you want to.You can click in the right panel.The "Update notifications" switch should be moved to the On position.Select the number of deferred days from the drop-down menu if you want to choose when updates are installed.These come twice a year with new features and improvements.Don't delay them more than a week.Security updates and OS patches are included.The quicker you install these, the better.Don't delay these updates for more than a few days.
Step 41: To update your drivers, use your PC manufacturer's software.
PC manufacturers install software to detect outdated drivers.Dell gives its SupportAssist program to Alienware PCs to check out outdated drivers, hardware and performance issues.If you have something similar installed on your PC, make a habit of running it at least once a month.Improved drivers mean better performance, as they are constantly changed to make the most out of your hardware.They have been updated to remove flaws that could lead to gateways for hackers.
Step 42: The apps on your PC need to be updated.
Many apps are capable of updating themselves, but some require you to perform a few steps from within the program.In Chrome, click the three-dot menu at the top-right corner, select, and then.It will install if an update is available.You'll be prompted to click once it's complete.You can change your update preferences in any of the Office apps, but most Office products are updated through Windows Update.Click the menu and then choose to view and change your options.Unless you choose a different option, the Microsoft Store apps are configured to update automatically.Click the three-dot menu at the top-right corner if you want to check your preferences.If "Update apps automatically" isn't already set to the On/Blue position, switch now.
Step 43: You can open your windows settings.
You can find it in the start menu.Administrator, Standard, Child, and Guest are the account types in Windows 10.If you want to block users from signing in to the computer, use this method.The Standard User mode is the default for new accounts after the PC owner.
Step 44: Click Accounts.
The option has the outline of a person's head and shoulders.
Step 45: The left panel has users in it.
It is near the bottom of the list.
Step 46: You can block an account from logging in.
You can see the user list in the right panel.If you don't want one of these users to be able to access the computer, click their account and select.Click if you want to allow a user to sign in.
Step 47: An account's access level can be changed.
Select the account in the right panel to change it from Administrator to a Standard User.Click.Go to the menu.Click if you want to.
Step 48: You can change the group policy in the Windows Search bar.
Click the magnifying glass icon to see the search bar next to the Start menu.Only the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows have this feature.
Step 49: You can change the group policy in the search results.
The Local Group Policy Editor window is opened.
Step 50: The Computer Configuration group can be expanded in the left panel.
You can skip this step if the group has already been expanded.
Step 51: The administrator templates folder should be expanded.
It is in the left panel.
Step 52: Go to the Windows Components folder.
The left panel has it.
Step 53: Click to install the Windows operating system.
The left panel has it.There are settings in the right panel.
Step 54: Go to the right panel and turn off Windows Installer.
A context menu will expand.
Step 55: You can click on the menu to make a change.
Step 56: Click OK if you want to enable it.
The "Enabled" option can be found at the top left corner.Users that aren't administrators will not be able to install apps once you're done.
Step 57: You can open your windows settings.
It is possible to prevent other PCs from seeing your PC on a public network.Family members or co-workers can share files with each other on home and office networks.It's a good idea to use network discovery at a coffee shop or airport.Follow the method to turn off network discovery.
Step 58: Click on the network and internet.
The option has a globe icon.
Step 59: Click Sharing options if you scroll down.
It's in the right place.
Step 60: The guest option can be expanded.
Step 61: You can turn off network discovery.
By selecting too, you can turn off the ability for other computers to share your printer and files.
Step 62: Click to save changes.
There is a window at the bottom.Immediately, the changes will take effect.
Step 63: Make sure that Windows can be used for encryption.
On Windows 10 Home, encrypting drives are not available.It is necessary to determine if the PC is capable of hardware or software security.The first thing to do is determine if the PC has a Trusted Platform Module.You can expand.You can protect the drive if you see "Trusted Platform Module" in this section.You will need to install the software with BitLocker if not.
Step 64: If it isn't already installed, you should install Trusted Platform Module.
Skip to the next step if you were able to verify the installation in the last step.To install it, open the Windows search bar and type in the policy you want to modify.You can find the results by clicking in the search results.Go to the left panel.If you want to protect the primary Windows 10 drive, you can expand the options in the right panel.Click in the right panel.You can select.You can select.You will need a password or startup key."Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available" is the option for the Fixed Data Drives option.Then click.
Step 65: You can open your BitLocker settings.
If you click on the results, you can do this quickly.
Step 66: You can turn on BitLocker on the drive.
A window will open.
Step 67: Click Next if you want to back up your recovery key.
You can either save it to a local file or print the recovery key.
Step 68: Select the amount and click Next.
You can protect used space or the entire drive.If it's not new to prevent third parties from accessing deleted files, Microsoft recommends encrypting the entire drive.If you are encrypting a new drive, protect used space.
Step 69: Click Next if you want to choose an encryption mode.
You can use a drive that won't migrate from PC to PC.
Step 70: When you're ready to start, click Start.
You will be asked to restart the computer.BitLocker will prompt you to sign in with your password after the process is complete.Click on the box next to "Run BitLocker system check" if you want to check the system before encrypting.