Information Services > Services > Computers > Windows 11 Setup - New Laptops

Windows 11 Setup - New Laptops

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Picking up your new Windows 11 work computer

If you’ve reached this page, it’s assumed that you have already connected for the first time to DePaul’s network and used your BlueKey credentials for the initial setup login screen. If you’re having issues logging into your new computer, please contact the Help Desk.

In case you haven't picked up your computer, please review the computer pickup process, including linking your BlueKey credentials to your new laptop:

Windows 11 computer pickup process

Linking your BlueKey credentials to your new computer

All Windows 11 work computers must be picked up at a specified Computer Depot location in the Loop or Lincoln Park. Please watch for an email message from ServiceNow when your computer is ready. Location and hours will be included in the message.

When you pickup your computer on-campus, please connect to DePaul’s wired network and login to your computer for the first time. A Computer Depot employee can guide you through this process.

Connect to the wired DePaul network through a docking station or adapter. You can also connect a network (i.e. ethernet) cable to your computer.
When you see the Windows login screen, enter your DePaul BlueKey credentials.
Subsequent attempts to log in do not require a network cable.
If you experience trouble, contact the Help Desk (go.depaul.edu/helpdeskhours) or walk into a Genius Squad location (go.depaul.edu/geniussquad) for assistance.

Windows 11 setup on a new computer

Please allow at least two hours to complete the setup process. You may need to restart your computer multiple times for changes and updates to take place. Heavy data applications like Outlook and OneDrive will also require significant time to sync and update. Plan for additional time to add applications necessary for work functions that were on your old computer. If you have any questions, the Help Desk and Genius Squad are prepared to help with the Windows 11 setup process.

1. Starting up and logging in

Turn on your new Windows 11 work computer. It is recommended to connect to a power source for the startup process.

At the login screen, enter your BlueKey credentials (username@depaul.edu and password)
Make sure to have your primary method of MFA (multi-factor authentication) such as the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device accessible.

If you have any issues logging in, please contact the Help Desk or walk into a Genius Squad location for assistance.

2. Accessing a wired network or WiFi

Working on campus?

Docking station or ethernet connection: If connecting to a DePaul docking station or wired connection, you should automatically connect to the network.
DePaul WiFi network: Connecting to DePaul’s WiFi? Follow these instructions.

Working away from campus?

Connect online using a secured wired or WiFi network.

Having problems connecting to a network? If you have any issues logging in, please contact the Help Desk or walk into a Genius Squad location for assistance.

3. Setting up and syncing OneDrive

Setting up OneDrive

OneDrive is already loaded onto your new Windows 11 computer. Please follow these quick and easy steps to login to OneDrive and begin syncing files. View more detailed instructions on this page about using OneDrive.

A note about OneDrive: You may need to restart your computer for OneDrive changes to apply to your computer. Please also allow time for OneDrive files to sync to your computer, depending upon the amount of data.

1. Although you can always search for OneDrive in the Windows search bar, the easiest way to Connect to OneDrive is by clicking the icon in the taskbar on the lower right-hand side of your screen. If you can’t see the OneDrive icon, click the arrow button to view more apps:

2. Login using your BlueKey credentials.

3. Select the folders you would like backed up on OneDrive.

After setup, you can always manage the folders that are backed up. Review your backup options, by clicking on the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, selecting the gear icon and clicking Settings. In Settings, click Manage backup. From here you can select folders and file locations that are backed up on OneDrive. Some folders are automatically backed up and cannot be unchecked, such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

4. After logging into your OneDrive account and syncing all of your files, manage OneDrive files by clicking on the cloud icon in the taskbar.

From here, you can view files online ("View online" option), view them in File Explorer, which is the file navigator on your computer ("Open folder" option), and also change settings (gear icon) like which folders should be synced.

4. Logging into Microsoft 365 apps

DePaul work computers that are Windows-based come with Microsoft 365 apps already installed. Set up Microsoft 365 apps (including Office) by opening a 365 app. There are a couple of ways to find apps.

Use the search bar on the task bar (bottom of screen in center) or the Start menu (Windows logo) and type the name of the app in the search bar.
Open the Start menu and select the all apps section. Scroll through the options.

Sign in with your BlueKey credentials. Since these applications all use single sign-on, you may be signed in automatically if you are already signed into another application or system that also uses BlueKey. Fewer logins!

Not finding the app you wanted? You can also review all of the Microsoft 365 apps available to you through DePaul by navigating to microsoft365.com, logging in with your BlueKey credentials, and clicking Apps, then expanding to All Apps.

Install apps from the microsoft365.com home page by clicking the "Install and more" dropdown.

5. Connecting to BlueM@il

Windows 11 comes with 2 mail app options: Outlook Classic and New Outlook. Users who need to access a resource account must use Outlook Classic. View detailed setup instructions for BlueM@il in Outlook. Please allow significant time for your email and calendar to populate. You may need to restart your computer for all changes to sync.

6. Setting up a remote access or data center VPN connection

View detailed instructions to download and configure either the "remote access” or “data center” VPN. All DePaul employees with DePaul-issued computers who work off-campus should connect to the VPN at least once a month to receive updates and maintain Windows activation.

7. Personalizing some basic settings

There are some settings you may want to address after starting up your Windows laptop. Windows 11 uses an auto-brightness setting that some users may find distracting. You also may want to update the screen resolution. Change these settings by searching for settings in the search bar and selecting the System > Display menu options.

Expand the Scale & layout tab. From here, you can change the screen resolution. Some people prefer to leave it at 150%. Others prefer to reduce the percentage. It’s up to you. Just know that this is the place where you can adjust resolution if desired.

The Brightness & color tab is an important setting if you prefer to manually control your screen’s brightness. There are TWO custom brightness settings in this section. First, uncheck the button to “Change brightness automatically when lighting changes” option.

Then select off in the dropdown menu next to “Change brightness based on content.” After de-selecting these features, you can now manually adjust brightness at any time use the brightness keys at the top of your keyboard.

New and Notable Windows 11 Features

Check some convenient new features that come with Windows 11.

Dictation and auto punctuation (Windows + H)

To open the dictation toolbar, press the Windows logo key + H. Then say whatever’s on your mind. The dictation tool will open. Click the microphone to begin recording to an app like Word. Click Automatic Punctuation for the dictation to have punctuation. Learn more about the dictation tool in Windows 11.

Multiple desktops

Do you have a project that basically requires its own computer? Do you work in a system or application that can have endless tabs by the end of the day? The option to create multiple desktops may be for you. The two gray boxes pictured below. Learn more about using multiple desktops in Windows 11.

screenshot of multiple desktop option in windows 11

By clicking the desktops icon in the taskbar, you can create new desktops (basically, separate computing spaces), rename them, and switch between them.

Windows snap layouts

Every open window has a maximize/minimize option. With Windows 11, if you don’t click on this button, but simply hold your mouse over it, the snap layout options will appear. From here, you can select a layout and add various open apps or windows into the layout. Learn more about using snap layouts.

OneDrive

Setting up and accessing OneDrive on a new Windows 11 laptop

It’s a good idea to connect to OneDrive on your new computer as soon as possible.

Opening OneDrive

Option one: The easiest way to access OneDrive is to click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar on the right side. If you can’t see the OneDrive cloud icon, click the arrow button to view more apps:
Option two: Search for OneDrive in the Windows search bar on your computer. Open OneDrive.
You may need to login using your BlueKey credentials.

Since OneDrive can often store lots of data, please allow some time while OneDrive syncs with your new computer. You also may need to restart your computer for updates to complete.

Accessing OneDrive after setup

After logging into your OneDrive account and syncing all of your files, manage OneDrive files by clicking on the cloud icon in the taskbar.

Saving to OneDrive

Log in to your BlueKey account on any Microsoft 365 app to save files directly to OneDrive. View this video about saving files to OneDrive.

Saving options include:

Selecting the “AutoSave” option and a OneDrive file location in a Microsoft 365 app like Word.
Using “File > Save as” in other apps and selecting a folder location in OneDrive.
Using “File > Save as” in other apps and selecting a folder that is backed up in OneDrive.

DePaul users also have the option of dragging and dropping files into the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Not sure which folders are backed up on OneDrive?

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, click the gear icon and Settings. In Settings, click Manage backup. From here you can view and select folders that are backed up on OneDrive. Some folders are automatically backed up and cannot be unchecked, such as Desktop, Pictures, and Documents.

Manage OneDrive Backup and Sync in the Settings menu

Select syncing options by searching for sync and backup in the Windows menu search bar.

How do I know if my files are backed up in OneDrive?

All files on your Windows 11 computer will display a OneDrive icon. Review the graphic below to see what symbols mean with backed up files.

Managing OneDrive files after setup (using the web version of OneDrive)

The best way to manage and share OneDrive files: Use OneDrive in a web browser

New users may find accessing OneDrive in a web browser easier than the desktop app. Because the desktop app integrates into Windows’ default file navigator, “File Explorer”, initially, it can be unclear where files exist, either locally to your computer or in OneDrive. The web interface provides a clear, single avenue for managing, creating, and uploading folders and files.

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar:

Select the option to "View online" to open OneDrive in a web browser.

You can also get to the web version by navigating to either onedrive.com or office365.depaul.edu (login with BlueKey) and selecting OneDrive or My Files in the menu.

Navigation menu for the OneDrive web version:

Select My files to view all of your OneDrive files. Under my files, you can manage sharing preferences, move files, or create or delete folders and files. The Shared menu option shows all of the recent files that were either shared from you or to you. There is also the option to add some files to your favorites list.

Select the share button next to any file to manage sharing of any folder or file.

Another helpful feature is the “Browse files by” menu which allows you to view files shared with you based on the people who shared them or the meetings when they were shared.

At the bottom of the menu, you can see all of the OneDrive files stored in various Teams channels where you are either an owner or member.

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