New Workstation Setup

Initial configuration

This process must be performed on every new workstation or a workstation that has performed a full Windows Reset.

  1. Confirm and proceed every step of the installation wizard until you are asked for a username
  2. Click the Use domain account instead link *
    • May have to Select Other SignIn Options first
    • The ability to use a domain account will not be available on Windows Home
      • Just set up everything as a home computer (along with creating/using a Microsoft account)
      • Windows Pro will have to be purchased during the Administrative Configuration section below
  3. Create a local user called In-Con
    • Create a temporary password
    • Choose any security questions where a “San Luis Obispo” answer could work
    • Skip any fingerprint/camera sign in options
    • Add this user to the local Administrators group
  4. Enter Gerry’s name and email address to register everything
  5. Proceed until you see the Windows desktop

* For the next workstation, please set it up using the mrbkcpa@outlook.com Microsoft account (text 805-545-9562 for password) and document what changes need to be made to this document. Doing this will allow the bitlocker keys to be saved to the Microsoft account should they ever be needed. Once the computer is signed in, proceed with step 3 above.

If the remainder of this computer’s setup will be done by a remote technician, also perform the following:

  1. Open File Explorer
    • Right-click on This PC and choose Properties
    • Text the Device Name, room number, and the temporary password used above to 805-545-9562
  2. Open Microsoft Edge and open http://www.icHelp.info
    • Click on Standard Method under the Share Desktop Always heading
    • Download and Install
  3. Open Windows Settings and search for Plugged in
    • Change When plugged in, put my device to sleep after to Never
  4. Update
    • Windows
    • Dell SupportAssist (or Dell Update)
  5. If Windows Home, upgrade to Pro (Some machines from Dell cannot be purchased with Windows Pro preinstalled)
    • Open Windows Settings, click on System – Activation
    • Click on Change product key and enter this upgrade key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
      • If there are any problems, disconnect from the Internet and try again or reboot and try again
    • Once the computer has upgraded to Windows 11 Professional, reconnect to the Internet
    • Open Windows Settings, click on Update and Security – Activation
    • Insert the purchased Product Activation License Key Code
      • Inform Innovative Concepts via text if a license was not provided

Administrative Configuration

The Administrator must be signed in and perform this section

  1. Enter the Windows Pro license if it was not available during Initial Configuration
  2. Set the computer name
    • Do not use the service tag number – may need to reset computer in the future
    • Format: MRBK-XXXXXX or DESKTOP-XXXXXX
  3. Connect to Domain
    • monterey.mcgilloway-ray.com
    • salinas.mcgilloway-ray.com
  4. Configure Active Directory on Server
    1. Move workstation from “Computers” into “Domain Workstations” or another more appropriate container
    2. Set AD Description to “Purchased 20XX”
    3. Set AD Location to “Room XXX”
  5. Run “gpupdate /force” and reboot (if needed)
  6. Verify these were automatically installed by the Global Policy (Details)
    • Avast Antivirus
    • Java (Eclipse JRE) – x86 and x64
    • TValue 6
    • Foxit (Monterey only)
  7. Enable Avast for the computer using the online administration tool
    • If it is not listed, try rebooting the computer again
  8. Word & Excel
    • If Office came preinstalled on the new machine
      • It will be the Click-to-Run version which will not integrate with File Cabinet, Engagement, etc.
      • Open the Control Panel and uninstall all Microsoft Office/365 items before proceeding
    • Uninstall OneNote if present
      • F:\installs\Office 365
        • You can also go to http://webmail.icExchange.info
          • Log in as a user who has Office privileges into the Services tab and click Office Apps
        • Engagement now supports 64-bit
    • TaxTools – Most current year
      • F:\CFSlib\tt2024\wssetup\setup.exe
    • Elevate
    • File Cabinet CS
      • F:\WinCSI\Cabinet\Desktop\Setup.exe
    • Practice CS
      • F:\WinCSI\Practice CS\Desktop\Setup.exe
      • Yes, restart it if it asks (only once)
    • Accounting CS
      • F:\WinCSI\Accounting CS\desktop\Setup.exe
        • You may need to reload icHelp if it appears to stop
      • Yes, restart it if it asks (only once)
    • Install Acrobat Reader (Required by File Cabinet)
      • Make sure to unselect the free McAfee products before downloading
      • Ensure FoxIt is still the default
    • Monterey workstation?
      • Lacerte – Most current 3 years
        • F:\lacerte\24tax\taxsetup
        • F:\lacerte\23tax\taxsetup
        • F:\lacerte\22tax\taxsetup
    • Salinas workstation?
      • Engagement
        • Open File Explorer and go to \\server-engagement.salinas.mrbkcpa.com\Engagement CD Image
          • Install the newest SQL Express
            • Use the instance installer!
    • Verify all Windows updates are done
    • Remove all items in C:\Users\Public\Desktop
    • Remove any unneeded items from Downloads
    • Clean out the Recycle Bin
    • Reboot

    User Configuration

    The user must be signed in and perform this section

    1. Install QuickBooks?
      • See Sarita Shannon
    2. See Sign Into A New Workstation

    Leave a Comment