So, you've just bought a shiny new laptop or tablet. It's unpacked, connected, and running great. However, what should you do alongside ensure you're obtaining the most out of your brand-new Windows 10 laptop?

The reply is to set up a Microsoft account. This is actually the answer to unlocking everything that's great about Windows 10, along with the wider suite of Microsoft products, tools and services.

One account for all

At its simplest, a Microsoft account serves as your PC's first type of defence. That is because the password you choose when opening your account becomes the one which grants access to your copy of Windows 10 and, ultimately, for your new device.

Move beyond that and a Microsoft account also enables you to access your email. Take a further step and your account enables you to explore great products for example Skype, and your Office 365 subscription; it will allow you to buy games, music, apps and flicks, and access your videos, photographs and documents via Microsoft's OneDrive.

In a nutshell, a Microsoft account is the gateway to Microsoft's magic kingdom. Before we delve into the technicality of setting up your account, it's worth taking a look at a little bit of simple computing theory. Specifically, we'll look at the cloud.

Until very recently, information - your files, pictures, movies and documents - counseled me stored locally. In other words, they were stored inside your PC, and on a tough disk. The benefit was you could get at them quickly. There is, however, a big downside to this way of storing information. If you lost your laptop, you'd lose all of your files too. Also, if you wanted to notice a file on the different machine, it might involve some particularly cumbersome messing going to get it.

The cloud is a tech expression used to explain a different type of storage. Here, your information lives on a remote computer, on the web. If you wish to access information you just access that external machine and obtain at your data that way. This kind of working has numerous benefits. If you lose your device, your data remains safe. Storing data in the cloud also makes it easy to access it all your different computers and devices.

A Microsoft account lets you embrace the benefits of this smarter method of working. Used, it means your computer data will feel like it's following you around! When you have everything set up, pictures adopted your phone will be viewable on your laptop, tablet or Xbox. You'll be able to reach your email, again, from any of the Microsoft devices. In a nutshell, you'll be able to get to all your data, all of the time, immediately.

The only real caveat is you need to be attached to the internet. If you aren't, your machine will still work but, Windows 10's clever data-sharing features will be paused until you're next online.

Safety and privacy

The idea of storing your information on a computer you don't own and also have never seen can seem to be rather threatening. That's because our details are precious to us, so handing over valuable stuff to some stranger might seem like a leap in to the unknown.

But there's no need to worry. Microsoft will protect your computer data by storing it very securely, cosseted and cared for like the Crown Jewels. Actually, statistically, you're more likely to lose data through your computer's hard disk failing than through Microsoft having some catastrophic problem.

And if you use a reputable VPN service to encrypt your traffic on its way back and forth from Microsoft's servers - we advise ExpressVPN, an all-around standout - then you're protecting your data against hacks on public Wi-Fi or snooping from your ISP and then any other organizations. (For more on the advantages of a VPN, for example unblocking TV using their company countries and concealing your IP address, check out good vpn buying guide for 2018.

There's, however, one major reason for weakness in counting on the cloud, and that's you. Or, more specifically, the password you choose when creating your Microsoft account (begin to see the walkthrough below). It needs to be difficult to guess, so don't use words that appear in the dictionary, and try to avoid names of your friends and family. Rather, use something which combines upper and lower-case letters and numbers or use one of the best online password managers.

Let us get started

Turn on and boot your machine, then decide what color you would like Windows to become dressed in. Just slowly move the on-screen slider with the pallet until easy reach a shade you like. Don't be concerned if you convince you at a later date, the color isn't fixed and you can amend it.

The next screens you will see cover settings - here you can just click 'Express settings'. With that done you'll be requested your Microsoft account details. If you have a merchant account already, go into the user name and password when prompted. If you haven't got one, click or tap 'Create a new account'. Next, you will be walked with the process of making your account by tapping in some basic personal details, just like your name, date of birth and current email address. Begin to see the walkthrough in this article for more information on this.

When you've completed the forms, Microsoft will send a verification code for your email address or mobile phone (you are able to determine which). When you receive the code you will need to come in into Windows 10. And, you're done. All of those other process is automatic (though a little slow - it can take a couple of minutes for Windows 10 to configure itself), and include a computerized reboot. You're now almost free to begin using Windows 10.

Final tasks

Once Windows 10 expires and running there's one final piece of housekeeping which will need to be done. You need to ensure Windows 10 is fully updated wonderful Microsoft's security and gratifaction patches. These will keep your computer happy, safe and healthy.

To set up the patches consider notifications popping up in the system tray area. Alternatively, click on the Search bar, type Check for updates, and then click 'Check now'. The procedure will take a couple of minutes to complete. With this done, you're all set to begin exploring Windows 10 and everything that is available!