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

 6 September 2023

Set Up a Windows PC
Get started with your new PC

Office of the CIO | IT Support

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 2

 Welcome
This guide discusses the setup
Windows 11 Initial Setup 4
process for your new PC and how to
install essential applications. The Finish the Setup 11
process takes up to two hours.
Next Steps 16

If you need help at any point, call IT Questions 17

Support. Ask your manager for the
telephone number.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 3

 Windows 11 Initial Setup

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 4

 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 5

 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 6

 • 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. Ensure “Connect automatically”
isn’t selected. When prompted to authenticate within a web browser window, enter your

Step 2 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 7

 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.

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 8

 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 9
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 10
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 11

 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, try Lenovo Migration
Assistant).
• Configure Box Drive for OS-integrated
cloud file storage.
• 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 12

 Connect to the
Internal IBM
Network
When working remotely, you need to use
Cisco Secure Client to connect to the
internal IBM network.

In an IBM office, your PC automatically

connects to the IBM internal Wi-Fi.
Ensure you’re connected to the IBM
Wi-Fi network and not IBMInternet.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 13

 Launch Box Drive
Important: If you’re a new IBMer, you must
register for an account with Box@IBM before
you can use Box Drive. For instructions, search
IT Support for Box@IBM: Register for an
Account.

Box Drive is a desktop app that allows you

to work with content stored in Box@IBM. Box
Drive allows you to access, manage, and
share your Box files directly from Windows
File Explorer.

From the taskbar, click the Box Drive icon, then

sign in with w3id.

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 14

 Remotely, connect to IBM At an IBM site, connect to
with Cisco Secure Client IBM Wi-Fi

To connect using Cisco Secure Client: To connect to IBM Wi-Fi:

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

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support

 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 16

 Questions?
Visit IT Support

Windows Setup Guide | IT Support 17