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Windows Setup Instructions

If asked for Personal or Work/School option when starting your computer for the first time, please choose Personal (since your Thomas account will not be available after you graduate).

When on-campus, How do you want to connect?

1. Wi-Fi: For the security key for the TCGeneral network contact the Service Desk.
2. Wired: Plug your computer into a wired network jack using a network cable.

NOTE: If it's your first time starting up a computer and you're asked to log in with a Microsoft Account, DO NOT use your Thomas account to sign in. Your device will stop working after you graduate!

NOTE: If any of the steps below fail, do the others and then contact the Service Desk.
1. Rename your device by adding your username to the name of your computer to help us identify you if there is a problem, for example: SmithJ-PC (choose Search, type 'about', select "about this PC" and then pick 'Rename your PC'.)
2. Install all Microsoft security updates by choosing Search, typing 'check for updates' and then picking 'Check for updates'. Restart after all updates have been installed.
3. Disable Network Discovery and Sharing by doing the following:
   • Windows 11: Click windows icon and search for "Manage Advanced Sharing Settings" Make sure "Turn off network discovery" and "Turn off file and printer sharing" are selected under each network profile available. Click "Save changes".
   • Windows 10: Right click on network connection icon in the taskbar and choose "Open Network and Internet settings" and then click on "Network and Sharing Center" in bottom center of the "Status" window. Click "Change advanced sharing settings" in the left menu. Make sure "Turn off network discovery" and "Turn off file and printer sharing" are selected under each network profile available. Click "Save changes".
4. Please use the Thomas Daily Page to do the following: (Note: setting this page to be your home page is #1 in the recommended steps below)
   • Read and accept the Acceptable Use Policy on MyThomas for Students. Make sure there are no security alerts at the top of the menu.
   • Check to make sure you can login to your Thomas College Outlook Email
   • Check to make sure you can login to Canvas for your course information.
5. See which devices are banned or problematic on our network

1. Install all Microsoft optional updates by choosing Search, typing 'check for updates' and then choosing 'Advanced Options', then 'Optional Updates', then 'Driver Updates', then 'Download and Install'. Updated drivers can make your device run better.
2. Set your web browser home page to the Thomas Daily Page
3. Download Microsoft 365 Apps (aka Office) here.
4. Run speedtest to test your individual device WiFi capability. NOTE: Most people get between 100Mb-800Mb. If yours is significantly less, talk to IT Services professional staff about options.
5. If you didn't get Microsoft Teams with M365 Apps, download and install the Teams for Work or School app for group work. (Download here)
6. Start and pin Microsoft Outlook to your taskbar.
7. OneDrive Client: Click on Windows icon in bottom left, type OneDrive, then enter your Thomas email address and password.
8. Add an alternate contact method for self service password reset here. Sign in with your Thomas account, then add and then verify at least one alternate authentication method (either a phone number or an email address)
9. Upload a picture to Canvas by going to Account, Profile, and click the Pencil icon on the picture. You can get your ID photo from MyThomas for Students.
10. Configure video, music, and other file sharing applications appropriately
11. Connect with the Thomas College Library & Service Desk on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X)

1. Connect to a Printer
2. Get OneNote Web Clipper.
3. Other Software
4. If you are using the Microsoft Authenticator app for multi-factor authentication, some of your logins can now be password-less (and just as secure). You can do this using the instructions here
5. If you would like to sign into your Windows devices with alternate methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition you can do so with the instructions here
6. Link your Thomas Office 365 account with LinkedIn. This allows you to share information from your LinkedIn profile with the Thomas community automatically through Outlook. For more information please see here. After setting up sharing, you can disable Thomas-to-LinkedIN sharing here. This will keep LinkedIN-to-Thomas sharing, which should be helpful.
7. To watch Spectrum TV on-campus, go to https://watch.spectrumutv.com/guide.
8. Windows 10 Users, see if your computer can run Windows 11 here. (This will download a WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi file from Microsoft that you will need to open.)

1. For more detailed anti-virus instructions or if you suspect you have malware click here.
2. If running an unsupported operating system (Windows 7, 8, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98, Mac OS versions 12.x or earlier), the student cannot connect their computer to the Thomas network for security reasons.
3. If the computer is running Windows 10 S (or in S-mode) you cannot add printer drivers or apps not from the Windows Store. To change out of S-mode: search the Windows Store for S Mode and then disable it.
4. For testing the speeds of a client to the AP that they are connected to there is a built in test from Meraki. Anyone can get to the page and run the test as long as they are connected to an AP.
   1. From a device connected to an AP type in http://my.meraki.com.
   2. This will send you to the local status page of the AP that your device is connected to.
   3. There is a "Run Speed Test" button. This will test Client to AP speeds.
   4. There is also a "Signal" reading under the "Your client connection" section which lists the signal strength between the client an AP. Meraki recommends that the client's signal strength be above 12dB for basic speeds. Signal strength over 30dB is recommended for high speeds.
   5. To see if the devices Wi-Fi capabilities are high enough, sign-out from the Library and try one of the College's USB-based Wi-Fi adapters.