A new computer is exciting right up until the moment you switch it on. Then come the screens. Microsoft asking to create an account. Windows wanting to connect to Wi-Fi. Prompts for OneDrive, Microsoft 365 trials, privacy settings, Cortana, and a dozen other decisions most people have never had to think about before. For a senior who just wants to check their emails and look at photos, it’s immediately overwhelming — and one wrong choice at setup can create problems that persist for months.
Setting up a computer for a senior is different from a standard setup. It’s not just about configuring things — it’s about configuring things in a way that makes sense for how that person actually uses technology. This guide covers what to look for when buying, the specific traps to avoid on first boot, the accessibility settings that make the biggest difference, and how we approach a seniors setup differently to a standard visit.
What to look for when buying a computer for a senior
If you haven’t bought yet — or if a family member is about to buy — here’s our practical advice based on what we see working well (and not working well) in Melbourne homes.
✅ Look for these
- Screen size 15.6″ or larger — anything smaller is genuinely harder to read comfortably
- SSD storage — not HDD. Far faster startup, dramatically better experience. Any laptop sold new today should have an SSD.
- 8GB RAM minimum — 16GB if possible for comfortable multitasking
- Full-size keyboard — with number pad if they do any financial work
- Windows 11 (not Windows S mode) — standard Windows gives full flexibility
⚠️ Watch out for these
- Windows 11 in S Mode — a restricted version that only runs apps from the Microsoft Store. Sounds safe but actually very limiting. Switch to standard mode when setting up.
- Very cheap processors (Intel Celeron, Pentium) — fine for basic use but noticeably sluggish for anything involving video calls
- 4GB RAM — acceptable minimum but will feel slow with multiple browser tabs open
- 11-13″ ultrabooks marketed as portable — small screens are harder on eyes; heavier batteries can help but portability often comes at the cost of comfort
Windows or Mac? For seniors upgrading from a Windows computer — stay with Windows. The learning curve of switching to Mac is real, and the email, printer, and app compatibility is straightforward on Windows. Mac is an excellent choice if they’re already used to Apple devices (iPhone, iPad) and want everything to connect seamlessly — but buying a Mac specifically because it “seems simpler” often doesn’t match reality for older users coming from Windows. Not sure? Call us before you buy — 0435 955 429.
The Windows 11 first-run traps — and how to handle them
When you first switch on a new Windows 11 computer, it walks you through a setup process before you ever reach the desktop. Several of the screens here contain decisions that affect how the computer works going forward — and most people just click “Next” without realising what they’re agreeing to.
🔑 The Microsoft account screen — the most important decision
Windows 11 strongly pushes you to sign in with a Microsoft account (a Hotmail, Outlook, or Live email address). This ties your computer login to an online account. For most seniors, we actually recommend creating a local account instead — a simple username and password that works independently without needing to remember a Microsoft password or deal with two-factor authentication codes every time Windows updates.
To use a local account: when the Microsoft account screen appears, click “Sign-in options” at the bottom → “Offline account” → “Skip for now”. This option is deliberately not prominent — Microsoft wants you to sign in with an account. We handle this during the setup visit.
☁️ OneDrive — don’t let it turn on automatically
Windows 11 prompts you to enable OneDrive (Microsoft’s cloud storage). If you click through without thinking, OneDrive starts automatically moving your documents and desktop files to the cloud — which means they can disappear from the computer if you later sign out of your Microsoft account. For seniors, we typically disable OneDrive unless they specifically want cloud backup. Files stay on the computer where they expect them to be.
🍭 The bloatware problem
New Windows 11 computers arrive with a cluttered taskbar and Start menu full of apps for Spotify, Netflix, TikTok, Candy Crush, Disney+, and many other services that were added by the manufacturer. They’re not viruses — but they make the desktop confusing and some run in the background using memory. During setup, we remove all of these and leave only the apps actually relevant to how the computer will be used.
🔄 Windows Update — complete this first, before anything else
A new computer bought from a shop may have been sitting on a shelf for weeks or months. The Windows version installed is already out of date. Before setting up email, installing any software, or doing anything else — run Windows Update to completion. This can take 30–60 minutes and requires multiple restarts. Skip this step and the computer may behave unexpectedly later. We always do this first during a setup visit.
Accessibility settings to configure — exact steps for Windows 11
These settings make a Windows 11 computer significantly easier to use for older users. None of them are turned on by default — they need to be specifically configured. According to Microsoft’s accessibility documentation, Windows 11 has extensive built-in accessibility features — most users never find them.
Make everything larger (text & icons)
Settings → System → Display → Scale — change from 100% to 125% or 150%. This makes text, icons, and buttons larger across the entire computer. 125% is comfortable for most seniors without making things feel too large. This is the single most impactful accessibility change.
Note: The display may ask to sign out and back in for this to take full effect.
Larger mouse pointer and slower speed
Settings → Accessibility → Mouse pointer and touch — increase pointer size to 2 or 3, and optionally change the pointer colour to black (easier to see than the default white). For mouse speed: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse → Additional mouse settings → Pointer Options — reduce the speed slider slightly. A slower mouse makes precise clicking much easier.
Night mode and brightness
Settings → System → Display → Night light — turn on and schedule it to run from 6pm to 7am. This shifts the screen colours to warmer tones in the evening, reducing eye strain significantly for those who use the computer in the evening. Also set auto-brightness if available on the laptop: same Display menu → adjust brightness automatically when lighting changes.
Volume and audio settings
Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar → Sound settings — set the output to maximum before adjusting the physical volume. Many seniors find laptop speakers quiet; setting the Windows volume to 100% and then adjusting via keyboard gives better range. If using external speakers, check they’re set as the default output device here.
Keyboard: sticky keys off, filter keys off
Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard — ensure Sticky Keys and Filter Keys are turned OFF. These are accessibility features that are useful for some people but cause confusing behaviour for most — Sticky Keys activates when you press Shift five times quickly (common accidentally), making keyboard shortcuts behave oddly. We turn these off as standard during a senior setup visit.
Transferring from the old computer — what moves and what doesn’t
This is the part most people worry about most. The good news is that the important things — photos, documents, emails, bookmarks — all transfer reliably when done correctly. The process is different depending on whether the old computer is still working.
| What you want to keep | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | ✓ Yes | Copied directly via USB drive or network — we verify count before and after |
| Documents (Word, Excel, PDFs) | ✓ Yes | All files from Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders |
| Gmail / Outlook email | ✓ Yes | Sign into the same account on the new computer — all emails appear automatically from the server |
| BigPond / Telstra email | ~ Usually | BigPond has been migrating accounts — login may now be through my.telstra.com.au. See our email setup guide for details |
| Browser bookmarks | ✓ Yes | Export from old Chrome/Edge as HTML file, import on new computer — takes 5 minutes |
| Installed programs (Word, printer software) | ✗ No | Programs must be reinstalled on the new computer — we handle this during the setup visit |
| Old Windows Live Mail or Thunderbird emails | ~ Requires care | These apps store emails locally on the computer. We export them to a standard format and import to the new setup — essential not to skip this step |
Important — keep the old computer until we’ve finished. Don’t donate, sell, or wipe the old computer until the new one is fully set up and you’ve confirmed everything important has transferred across. We’ve seen many cases where a family member donated the old computer before realising something hadn’t been moved — old emails in Windows Live Mail, photos in an unusual folder, or passwords saved in the old browser. The old computer is insurance until the new one is confirmed complete.
What a Fixable seniors computer setup visit covers
Here’s exactly what we do during a new computer setup visit specifically for a senior — it’s more thorough than a standard setup because there’s more to configure correctly from the start.
First 30 minutes
- ✓ Complete Windows Updates
- ✓ Set up local account (skip Microsoft account)
- ✓ Remove bloatware and trial apps
- ✓ Switch off Windows S Mode if applicable
- ✓ Disable OneDrive auto-sync
Core setup (30–60 min)
- ✓ Connect to home Wi-Fi
- ✓ Set up email (Gmail, Outlook, BigPond)
- ✓ Transfer photos, documents, bookmarks
- ✓ Install Chrome and set as default browser
- ✓ Connect and test printer/scanner
Seniors-specific config
- ✓ Set display scale to 125–150%
- ✓ Larger mouse pointer, adjusted speed
- ✓ Night mode scheduled
- ✓ Sticky keys and filter keys disabled
- ✓ Desktop simplified — only what’s needed
Before we leave
- ✓ Full walkthrough at their pace
- ✓ Set up Zoom or video calling if needed
- ✓ Windows Defender confirmed active
- ✓ Written reference guide left with them
- ✓ Family member briefed if present
Pricing: $89/hr, no call-out fee, all Melbourne suburbs. A full seniors new computer setup typically takes 90–120 minutes including file transfer and walkthrough. Family members can book on behalf of a parent. See full pricing →
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the computer’s age and whether it can run Windows 11. Check using the free Microsoft PC Health Check app. If it can upgrade — do that (free upgrade, takes about an hour). If it can’t, and it’s used for online banking or email, then yes, upgrading the computer is worth considering — Windows 10 no longer receives security updates as of October 2025. Our fix-or-replace guide walks through this decision in detail.
For Gmail, Outlook, and BigPond — yes, because emails are stored on the provider’s servers, not the computer. Sign into the same account on the new computer and everything appears. The risk is with older email apps like Windows Live Mail or Thunderbird that store emails locally on the hard drive. We always check what email app is being used on the old computer before starting. If emails are stored locally, we export them first, before touching anything else. We’ve never lost someone’s emails doing this — but the key is checking before we start, not after.
Many new computers include a 1-year Microsoft 365 trial. If your parent mainly needs Word and Excel, activating it is worthwhile for the year — but it will prompt for payment after 12 months. An alternative is the free LibreOffice (free Word/Excel equivalent) or using Google Docs (free, browser-based). We discuss this during the setup visit based on what the person actually uses, and won’t activate a subscription without explaining what it costs after the trial ends.
Yes — security is part of every setup visit. Windows 11 has Microsoft Defender built in, which is genuinely good free antivirus. We confirm it’s active and set to update automatically. We also set up Chrome with safe browsing enabled and explain the most common scams targeting seniors — the fake “Microsoft support” calls, phishing emails, and pop-up warnings asking you to call a number. The ACCC’s Scamwatch is also a helpful resource we point people to. We never recommend paying for third-party antivirus on top of Windows Defender — it’s not necessary.
Yes — we cover all Melbourne suburbs. Doncaster, Camberwell, Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Hawthorn, Brighton, Malvern, and everywhere in between. Same $89/hr rate everywhere — view all service areas.
New computer waiting to be set up?
We come to your home, do everything properly, and make sure your parent is confident and comfortable before we leave. Family members can book on behalf of a parent. $89/hr, no call-out fee, all Melbourne suburbs.
Related guides
About Fixable: Friendly, patient on-site IT support across all Melbourne suburbs. NDIS Worker Screening cleared. Plan-managed and self-managed participants welcome. Call 0435 955 429 or visit fixable.au