🖥️ Windows 11 OOBE Setup Checklist (GTH)

Before you start: Have the employee's name, their assigned username, and the domain credentials ready before you power on the device.

Live build checklist → use the IT Build Station section on Start.me to tick off items as you go. This page is the reference — the checklist is your companion.

🔌 1. Initial Setup

[ ] Plug device into power
[ ] Connect to network — Ethernet preferred
[ ] Power on device
[ ] Wait for Windows setup to load — this can take several minutes

🌍 2. OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience)

Follow the on-screen prompts in order:

[ ] Select Language
[ ] Select Region
[ ] Confirm keyboard layout: US
[ ] Skip adding a second keyboard
[ ] Accept the license agreement

🏢 3. Setup Type

[ ] Choose: Set up for an organization
[ ] On the next screen, click "Domain join instead" — bottom-left corner

👤 4. Local Admin Account Setup

Create a temporary local admin account using the standard credentials:

[ ] Username: gth
[ ] Password: 20Since06!

Security questions:

[ ] City where born: Anaheim
[ ] Childhood nickname: Gene Autry
[ ] First pet: Taz

⚙️ 5. Privacy & Setup Options

Work through each option carefully — do not just click through:

[ ] Activity history → No
[ ] Cortana → Decline
[ ] Privacy settings:
- Advertising ID → No
- All others → Yes
[ ] Support & Protection → Leave blank
[ ] "Let Microsoft use my info" → Uncheck

➡️ Continue to desktop

🖥️ 6. Rename & Domain Join

[ ] Press Windows Key → type This PC
[ ] Right-click → Properties
[ ] Click Rename this PC (Advanced)
[ ] Set computer name following the naming convention
[ ] Join domain: georgethall.com

➡️ Reboot when prompted

[ ] Log in as: micsmiadmin

👥 8. User Setup

Navigate to: Control Panel → User Accounts → Manage another account

[ ] Add micsmiadmin
[ ] Add the assigned GTH staff user
[ ] Confirm both accounts have the correct permissions

🔒 9. Security Configuration

[ ] Enable Ctrl + Alt + Delete login requirement
- Path: User Accounts → Advanced tab

🔄 10. Switch to End User

[ ] Log off micsmiadmin
[ ] Log in as the assigned user

🖨️ 11. Printer Setup

[ ] Install all required printers
[ ] ⚠️ Disable color printing on Sharp printers

📦 12. Software Installation

Install the following — in this order where possible:

[ ] Chrome
[ ] PDF reader
[ ] FortiClient (if required for this user)
[ ] Antivirus (AV)
[ ] OneNote

✉️ 13. User Configuration

[ ] Configure email signature
[ ] Apply any user-specific environment settings

⚡ 14. Power & Display Settings

[ ] Configure screen saver
[ ] Configure sleep settings

🔽 15. Final Security Step

[ ] Remove user from local admin group (if they were added during setup)

✅ Completion Checklist

Before handing off, confirm every item below is done:

[ ] Device is domain joined to georgethall.com
[ ] Assigned user can log in successfully
[ ] All required apps are installed and working
[ ] Printers are working — B&W only where Sharp printers are involved
[ ] No unnecessary admin access remains on the machine

*Page maintained by IT. Last process review: (add date when you publish this)