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Secure Computer Setup Guide - Windows

Follow the steps below to set up a new Windows computer. If you need assistance at any time, please reach out to your departmental IT liaison or, if you're a DDS customer, use the DDS service request portal. Learn more about the software installed during this process on the Privacy & Software Transparency page.

Before you begin

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  • Get ready for setup: This self-service setup process is designed for individuals to complete by themselves. Review our Quick Start Guide and the steps in this tutorial (or the video tutorial) before you start.
  • Be patient. Computer setup may take up to 2–3 hours to complete. Once you begin, leave your computer turned on and plugged in. Do not move locations or close your laptop before included software and settings are installed, as you may disrupt the setup process.
  • Ensure you have a stable internet connection before proceeding with the automated computer setup and application installation. Do not begin setting up your computer if you are unable to connect to a network with a working internet connection.
  • The setup process will configure OneDrive for cloud file storage. Before proceeding, please make sure the files you need are accessible in OneDrive so that they will be available on your new computer. Visit https://onedrive.live.com/login to see the files that are in your OneDrive.

Visit OIT's YouTube channel for a video tutorial of this process.

 
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Step 1

Turn on your computer. You should be prompted to select a language and region, which should default to English and the United States. You'll also be prompted to confirm your keyboard setup.

Step 2

A screen will load where you can connect to the internet with an Ethernet cable or a wireless network. It is very important that you connect to the internet before proceeding, otherwise the laptop will not self-configure and you will be missing basic applications, such as Microsoft Office. Windows will also check for software updates once connected to the internet and may automatically restart before proceeding to the next step.

  • Off campus: If you are connecting to a wireless router at home, you may need to enter your wireless password.
  • On campus: If you are setting up the computer while on the CU Boulder campus, connect using a wired connection or log in to UCB Wireless with your IdentiKey username and password.

Step 3

Once your computer successfully connects to the internet and finishes installing available updates, enter your email in the identikey@colorado.edu format (do not use FirstName.LastName@colorado.edu).

Please note: Do not select set up Windows with a local account if that option is available. Doing so will prevent your computer from being configured properly.

Step 4

Enter your IdentiKey password when prompted. The computer will restart several times before this process completes.

Step 5

The computer will restart once again upon reaching the login screen. Press any button, then log into Windows with your IdentiKey username and password. Keep your computer plugged in to a power outlet, leave it connected to the internet, and do not power off the laptop or otherwise interrupt this step.

Step 6

Press any button, then log in to Windows with your IdentiKey username and password.

You may be prompted to connect to VPN using Cisco Secure Mobility Client. While this should happen without prompting, if needed, connect to UCB VPN using your IdentiKey username and password so your device can properly connect to campus computing resources.

Step 7

If you receive this error, ensure you are connected to the internet, then try to log in again. You may need to wait five minutes and restart your computer as an additional troubleshooting step.

Step 8

When you successfully log in, you will be presented with your Windows desktop. Included software and settings will continue to be installed automatically in the background. Learn more about the software installed during this process on the Privacy & Software Transparency page.

List of included software:

*PLEASE NOTE: The list of included software will continue to install on its own and will take some time to finish.

Step 9

Search for and open Outlook (classic) and log in with your IdentiKey username and password. If the application isn’t yet available, wait 15 minutes and try again. Deselect the option to Set up Outlook Mobile on my phone too. 

Once logged in, your mail and folders will begin to load. Minimize the application and let it continue the setup process.

Step 10

Looking for other software?

All university-owned computers enrolled in Secure Computing have access to an on-demand software catalog in the Software Center application. This catalog should become available within 1-2 hours after completing setup.

Step 11

Finish setup

As the computer setup process completes, make a note of other software and settings that you may need to customize on your new device. This could include:

  • Downloading additional software: Check the Software Center before downloading software from vendor sites.
  • Microsoft Teams (work or school) settings: You will likely need to adjust Teams settings to your preference. Check out OIT's tutorials for changing notifications and configuring voicemail or visit the Teams Service page for more resources.
  • Microsoft Outlook/Exchange configuration: Configure preferred settings in Outlook. Visit the Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Exchange page for best practices and other resources.
  • Connect devices: Connect keyboard, mouse, webcam, etc. Depending on your device, you may need to re-adjust preferred settings.
  • Transfer browser settings or bookmarks: If needed, transfer or edit bookmarks on your preferred browser. Refer to vendor documentation: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox.
  • Duo multi-factor authentication: Duo multi-factor authentication is required for some applications on campus, including MyCUInfo, Buff Portal and Cisco VPN. If you haven't already set it up, visit the Duo multi-factor authentication page for instructions and assistance.
  • Other settings: Other device settings may need to be reset.

Step 12

OneDrive Troubleshooting

To check OneDrive for your data, open Windows Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar, and then click on OneDrive - UCB-O365. If you do not see OneDrive - UCB-O365, you may need to leave your computer for 15 to 60 minutes to allow it to finish installing applications and then try again.

If you did not back up your data prior to receiving your new laptop, your data will not appear in OneDrive. Follow the steps below to fix this:

  • Dedicated Desktop Support customers: Please contact DDS immediately using the DDS Request Portal so your DDS technician can help transfer your data.
  • Non-DDS customers: Back up your locally stored data from your other computer. You will not need to do this for files that are saved in Google Drive, OneDrive, a departmental file server or the UCB Files fileservers (\\ucbfiles.colorado.edu, \\files.colorado.edu, or \\cvcn.colorado.edu). For all other files stored on your computer, please use the appropriate instructions to upload your files to Microsoft OneDrive: Back up files from a PC to OneDrive or back up files from a Mac to OneDrive.

Once you have uploaded your data into OneDrive, your files will appear on your new laptop in the OneDrive folder. If you are able to log in to New Microsoft Teams or OneDrive but do not see data, you might have a licensing issue. Visit the Microsoft 365 Desktop apps page for more information and to access the New Office 365 License Request Form if needed.