# Advice for Windows Beginners Before buying any new hardware **first clean-install Windows without any additional security software** except for Microsoft Security Essentials. See [[Anti-Virus Software on Windows]] for more. You should be using a Standard user account, and Windows Update should definitely be turned on and set to 'automatic'. See [[You Should Use a Standard User Account on Windows]]. When buying a new computer nowadays you should definitely consider a solid state drive as the [[Benefits of Using a Solid State Drive]] are significant. Make sure all of your personal files are backed up to the cloud. If the worst happens you can just reinstall Windows and download your files from the cloud. See [[Reinstalling Windows to Fix PC Problems]].