STOP!

Before you set up

your PC…
Review important details about this guide:

• First, locate your IBM w3id and password

provided by your manager or Onboarding
Success Partner. Your w3id and password give
you access to IBM internal websites, IBM email,
and many of IBM’s web and cloud-based
systems.

• Next, ensure you have internet access. If you

have an Ethernet cable, plug it in. It’s more
reliable than Wi-Fi.

• This guide applies to both new hires and existing

IBMers. If you’re new to IBM, additional tasks to
complete your PC setup are discussed in the
Next Steps section.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 1

 24 May 2022

Set Up a Windows PC
Get started with your new PC

Office of the CIO | IT Support

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 2

 Welcome
Determine Windows Version 4
This guide discusses the setup
Windows 10 Initial Setup 6
process for your new PC and how to
install essential applications. The
Finish the Setup 13
process takes up to two hours.

Windows 11 Initial Setup 17

The setup for Windows 10 and
Windows 11 is similar, but with
Finish the Setup 24
important differences. This guide
includes instructions for both Next Steps 28
operating systems.
Questions 29
If you need help at any point, call IT
Support. Ask your manager for the
telephone number.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 3

 Determine Windows Version

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 4

Determine
Windows Version
Your PC setup instructions depend
on which operating system your PC
shipped with. Review the initial
setup screens on the right and
compare it with the image
presented on your PC, then follow
the corresponding instructions.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support
Windows 11
If your initial setup screen is white with
an image of a globe and has the “Is this
the right country or region?” message,
your PC has Windows 11. Proceed to the
Windows 11 Initial Setup instructions.
5
Windows 10
If your initial setup screen is dark blue
and has the “Let’s start with region. Is
this right?” message, your PC has
Windows 10. Proceed to the Windows
10 Initial Setup instructions.
 Windows 10 Initial Setup

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 6

 Initial Setup
To set up your new PC, unbox it, plug in
the power cord, and turn it on. Be sure
to keep your computer plugged into
power during the setup.

If you recently reset your PC, the setup

process is the same as setting up a
new PC.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 7

 Step 1
On the Welcome screen, select your
language and click Yes.
Choose your Region and click Yes.
Confirm your keyboard layout then click
Yes. If you need an additional keyboard
layout, choose the appropriate layout and
click Continue. Otherwise, click Skip.
If you’re asked how you would like to set
up your device, select “Set up for an
organization.”

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 8

 • When connecting remotely (e.g., from your home or a client site), select your Wi-Fi
network from the list, then enter the network password when prompted.

• If you’re connecting from an IBM site, select IBMInternet. When prompted to authenticate

Step 2
within a web browser window, enter your w3id and password.
Note: Don’t attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network named “IBM.” You can’t connect to
this network until your PC is fully configured.

Connect your device to the internet.

Your PC checks for any critical software updates then takes you to the next step.

Important: Don’t skip this step. A network

connection is required to correctly
configure your device.

Note: If you connect to the internet with an

Ethernet cable, your connection is
automatically detected. Proceed to Step 3.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 9

 Step 3
On the “Welcome to IBM” or “Sign in with Microsoft” page:
1. Enter your w3id, then click Next.
2. A “Sign in with w3id” window appears. Click "w3id Credentials," enter your w3id and
password, then click Sign In.
3. Complete the multi-factor authentication request.
Note: If you’re new to IBM, you need to set up multi-factor authentication. Proceed to
Step 4 for instructions.

Warning: If the message "Who's going to use this PC?” appears, don’t attempt to sign in.
Your computer didn't properly connect to the internet. To resolve this, force a shutdown
of your PC by holding down the power button for 10 seconds. After the screen goes black
and the keyboard is no longer illuminated, turn your PC back on and restart the setup
process from Step 1. Ensure you establish a strong network connection in Step 2 to
prevent this issue from happening again.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 10

 Step 4
New IBMers must configure multi-factor
authentication methods before the PC
setup can continue. To do so:
1. On the “Connecting is more secure”
page, click “Get started.”
2. w3id SSO offers several ways to
authenticate your identity. Select a
method from the list, then follow the
instructions to configure it for use.
3. After your first method is verified, add
another method to further secure your
account. If you configure only one
verification method and you lose
access to this method, you won’t be
able to sign in to w3id.
4. When you’re finished adding
additional methods, click Done.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 11
Add a Method
To set up an authentication method, you
must use the on-screen instructions. For
example, set up a phone number to receive
a one-time passcode to authenticate your
w3id. To do so:
1. Next to “Text message,” select “New
number.”
2. Select your phone number's country
code from the Country drop-down list,
then enter your phone number,
including the area code. Click "Send
access code.“
3. A one-time passcode is sent via text
message to the previously entered
phone number. Enter the one-time
passcode, then click Verify.
 Step 5
Your PC begins the automated
enrollment process.
Important: Don’t step away from your
PC during this time. You must wait for
the process to complete.
Step 6
At the “Set up a PIN” prompt, create
a 6-digit numeric PIN. Your PIN is
stored on your PC and never expires.
Your PIN replaces your password. If
you can't sign in with your fingerprint,

After the configuration is complete, set

3D face camera, or PIN, your PC
up a biometric login. Follow the on- might permanently lock, requiring you
screen steps to set up fingerprint or to reinstall Windows.
facial recognition. After you create your PIN, click OK.
Warning: Don’t skip this step because
it’s the primary login method to your
PC. After the setup, you won’t be able
to use your w3id password to sign in to
your PC.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 12

 Finish the Setup

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 13

 Get Started with
Your PC
After Windows starts, the “Getting started with
your PC” window appears. This app helps you:
• Get software from the PC@IBM App Store.
• Migrate your data from another computer
(for existing IBMers).
• Create backups of your new computer with
Code42.
• Find support documentation and other
instructional guides on IT Support
(w3.ibm.com/#/support).

Important: You need to connect to the internal

IBM network to complete these tasks. Use the
next step to connect properly.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 14

 Connect to the
Internal IBM
Network
When working remotely, you need to use
the Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private
Network (VPN) client to connect to the
internal IBM network.

In an IBM office, your PC automatically

connects to the IBM internal Wi-Fi.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 15

 Remotely, connect to IBM
with Cisco AnyConnect
To connect using Cisco AnyConnect:
1. Click Windows Start, then type AnyConnect.
Open Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
from the search results.
2. A Cisco AnyConnect window appears. Any
gateway can be selected, however, for best
performance, select the gateway based on your
geography.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
4. To test your connection, open any web browser
and navigate to w3.ibm.com.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support
At an IBM site, connect to
IBM Wi-Fi
To connect to IBM Wi-Fi:
1. Select the Wi-Fi icon in the lower-right corner
of the task bar to open Network & Internet
Settings.
2. From the list of available networks, select IBM,
then select Connect. Your computer uses
locally-installed Wi-Fi certificates to connect to
this network.
3. To test your connection, open any web browser
and navigate to w3.ibm.com.
Windows 10 users proceed to Next Steps.
 Windows 11 Initial Setup

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 17

 Initial Setup
To set up your new PC, unbox it, plug in
the power cord, and turn it on. Be sure
to keep your computer plugged into
power during the setup.

If you recently reset your PC, the setup

process is the same as setting up a
new PC.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 18

 Step 1
Select your region and click Yes.
Confirm your keyboard layout then click
Yes. If you use an additional keyboard
layout, click "Add layout," then select
your desired layout. Otherwise, click
Skip.
If you’re asked how you would like to
set up your device, select “Set up for an
organization.”

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 19

 • When connecting remotely (e.g., from your home or a client site), select your Wi-Fi
network from the list, then enter the network password when prompted.

• If you’re connecting from an IBM site, select IBMInternet. When prompted to authenticate

Step 2
within a web browser window, enter your w3id and password.
Note: Don’t attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network named “IBM.” You can’t connect to
this network until your PC is fully configured.

Connect your device to the internet.

Your PC checks for any critical software updates then takes you to the next step.

Important: Don’t skip this step. A network

connection is required to correctly
configure your device.

Note: If you connect to the internet with an

Ethernet cable, your connection is
automatically detected. Proceed to Step 3.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 20

 Step 3
On the “Let’s set things up for your work or
school” page:
1. Enter your w3id, then click Next.
2. A “Sign in with w3id” window appears.
Click "w3id Credentials," enter your w3id
and password, then click Sign In.
3. Complete the multi-factor authentication
request.
Note: If you’re new to IBM, you need to set
up multi-factor authentication. Proceed to
Step 4 for instructions.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 21

 Step 4
New IBMers must configure multi-factor
authentication methods before the PC
setup can continue. To do so:
1. On the “Connecting is now more
secure” page, click “Get started.”
2. w3id SSO offers several ways to
authenticate your identity. Select a
method from the list, then follow the
instructions to configure it for use.
3. After your first method is verified, add
another method to further secure your
account. If you configure only one
verification method and you lose
access to this method, you won’t be
able to sign in to w3id.
4. When you’re finished adding
additional methods, click Done.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 22
Add a Method
To set up an authentication method, you
must use the on-screen instructions. For
example, set up a phone number to receive
a one-time passcode to authenticate your
w3id. To do so:
1. Next to “Text message,” select “New
number.”
2. Select your phone number's country
code from the Country drop-down list,
then enter your phone number,
including the area code. Click "Send
access code.“
3. A one-time passcode is sent via text
message to the previously entered
phone number. Enter the one-time
passcode, then click Verify.
 Step 5
Your PC begins the automated
enrollment process.
Important: Don’t step away from
your PC during this time. You must
wait for the process to complete.
After the configuration is complete,
you must set up additional login
options.
Warning: Don’t skip Step 6 because
it’s the primary login method to your
PC. After the setup completes, you
won’t be able to use your w3id
password to sign in to your PC.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 23
Step 6
Most IBM-provided Windows 11 PCs
support Windows Hello biometric login.
At the “Want to use your face to sign in
faster and more securely?” prompt, click
“Yes, set up.” Otherwise, click “Skip for
now.”
A PIN is required on all IBM-provisioned
PCs. Click Next to create a PIN.
Your PIN replaces your traditional
password and never expires.
Note: If you can't sign in with your
fingerprint, 3D face camera, or PIN, your
PC might permanently lock, requiring
you to reinstall Windows.
After you create your PIN, click OK.
 Finish the Setup

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 24

 Get Started with
Your PC
After Windows starts, the “Getting started with
your PC” window appears. This app helps you:
• Get software from the PC@IBM App Store.
• Migrate your data from another computer
(for existing IBMers).
• Create backups of your new computer with
Code42.
• Find support documentation and other
instructional guides on IT Support
(w3.ibm.com/#/support).

Important: You need to connect to the internal

IBM network to complete these tasks. Use the
next step to connect properly.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 25

 Connect to the
Internal IBM
Network
When working remotely, you need to use
the Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private
Network (VPN) client to connect to the
internal IBM network.

In an IBM office, your PC automatically

connects to the IBM internal Wi-Fi.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 26

 Remotely, connect to IBM
with Cisco AnyConnect
To connect using Cisco AnyConnect:
1. Click Windows Start, then type AnyConnect.
Open Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
from the search results.
2. A Cisco AnyConnect window appears. Any
gateway can be selected, however, for best
performance, select the gateway based on your
geography.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
4. To test your connection, open any web browser
and navigate to w3.ibm.com.
Windows Setup Guide | IT Support
At an IBM site, connect to
IBM Wi-Fi
To connect to IBM Wi-Fi:
1. Select the Wi-Fi icon in the lower-right corner
of the task bar to open Network & Internet
Settings.
2. From the list of available networks, select IBM,
then select Connect. Your computer uses
locally-installed Wi-Fi certificates to connect to
this network.
3. To test your connection, open any web browser
and navigate to w3.ibm.com.
 Next Steps
If you’re an existing IBMer, congratulations, your setup is
complete!

If you’re new to IBM, you’ve got just a few steps remaining.

First, access IT Support and search for Set Up at IBM. This
article identifies important applications to install to be
productive and communicate with others, such as setting up
Slack and Webex.

Lastly, check your email. IBM offers several options for

desktop or web-based email clients. For more information,
search IT Support for Access Your Mail at IBM.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 28

 Questions?
Visit IT Support

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 29