New Mac Computer Setup Checklist
When you get a new computer it can be difficult to know what to do first to get yourself going as quickly as possible. After many years of doing this professionally, I have compiled a checklist that anyone can use to get started.
Update Operating System
Run all updates on MacOS
Apple ID
Login username & password
User Account
Setup computer user account with name & password
Additional User Accounts
Setup additional user accounts if needed
Wireless
Configure wireless network connection
iCloud
Turn On iCloud Drive Documents and Desktop
Contacts, Photos, Music
Find My Mac
Turn on Find My Mac in iCloud
Internet Browsers
Install browsers Google Chrome & Brave
Set Default Browser
Extensions: 1Password, Adblock, WOT
Export Browser Bookmarks & Favorites and import to new computer
Anti-Malware Software
Download & install Malwarebytes
Dock
Add frequently used app icons on the Doc
Printers & Scanners
Install printer & scanner software
Add printers
Set default printer
Files from old computer
If necessary manually copy files from Downloads & any other non-iCloud folders
Office Software
Activate Microsoft Office with user account & password
Alternative: Apple Pages, Numbers, Keynote
Mail
Apple Mail login all accounts
Music
Authorize iTunes
Backup Devices / Software
Setup backup software: Backblaze or Carbonite
Password manager
Install and setup 1Password (create a new account if needed)
Link to iPhones & iPads
Export/Import passwords from Chrome & Safari
Turn off Autofill in Safari
Install browser extensions Safari, Chrome, Brave
Remote Support
Install remote support software: SplashTop SOS
Keep in dock
Additional Software
Install as needed: Dropbox, Zoom, NordVPN, SimpleNote, NameChanger, AppCleaner, Bartender, Calibre, BetterSnapTool, Be Focused Pro, TinyCal, Quick View Calendar, Trello, TextSnipper, Living Earth, SetApp, PopClip, Ulysses, Things 3, Amphetamine, MediaHuman YouTube Downloader, Notion, Numi, Chronicle Pro, iStat Menus, Noizio, BetterTouchTool, Mailbuttler, Cheatsheet, Sip, Clean, Kindle, Standard Notes, SiteSucker, Mactracker, VLC, The Unarchiver, Splashtop Business, Sublime Text, Sonos, Grids, Noir, Due, Binaural, WhatFont, Affinity Photo, CopyClip, HazeOver, DaisyDisk, Gemini 2, VirusBarrier Scanner, Mila, Endurance, AudioTunes Format Converter, PDF to Word Converter, Disk Drill Media Recovery, InsTuner, PDF Viewer, Pocket, Feedly, Evernote, etc.
Backup Drive
Install local backup drive and turn on Time Machine backups
Power Supply
Install uninterruptible power supply (UPS) such as APC or CyberPower