🪟 Windows Security Checklist
Essential steps to protect your Windows PC from threats, secure your data, and maintain privacy
Why Windows Security Matters
Your Windows PC contains your entire digital life: work documents, personal files, financial data, and more. While Windows 11 includes robust security features, proper configuration is essential to maximize protection against evolving threats.
This checklist covers the most critical security settings and practices to keep your Windows PC secure, from basic privacy controls to advanced threat protection.
Essential Windows Security Steps
🔐 Basic Security
- Enable BitLocker full-disk encryption
- Set a strong password (12+ characters with symbols)
- Enable Windows Hello (fingerprint or face recognition)
- Turn on automatic Windows updates
- Enable Windows Defender Firewall
- Set screen timeout to 5 minutes or less
🛡️ Privacy Settings
- Review app permissions (Settings → Privacy & security)
- Disable location tracking for apps that don't need it
- Turn off diagnostic data sharing (set to "Required only")
- Disable advertising ID and tailored experiences
- Review which apps can access Camera, Microphone, Files
- Disable activity history and timeline
🛡️ Windows Defender
- Enable real-time protection
- Turn on cloud-delivered protection
- Enable automatic sample submission
- Turn on tamper protection
- Enable controlled folder access (ransomware protection)
- Run regular full system scans
📡 Network Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks
- Set network profile to "Public" for unknown networks
- Disable network discovery on public networks
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
- Review and remove unknown Wi-Fi networks
- Enable DNS over HTTPS in browser
🔑 Microsoft Account Security
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for Microsoft account
- Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password)
- Review devices signed into your Microsoft account
- Check app permissions at account.microsoft.com
- Enable "Find My Device"
- Set up account recovery options
🔒 Advanced Protection
- Enable Windows Sandbox for testing untrusted apps
- Use Windows Defender Application Guard for Edge
- Enable core isolation and memory integrity
- Disable remote desktop unless absolutely needed
- Use standard user account (not admin) for daily use
- Enable secure boot and TPM 2.0
Visual Security Guides
BitLocker Full-Disk Encryption
Enable BitLocker to encrypt your entire PC. This protects your data if your computer is lost or stolen.
Windows Defender Protection
Configure Windows Defender for maximum protection against malware, ransomware, and other threats.
App Permissions Control
Review which apps have access to your camera, microphone, and files. Disable permissions for apps that don't need them.
Diagnostic Data & Privacy
Minimize data sharing with Microsoft by setting diagnostic data to "Required only" and disabling tailored experiences.
Secure Your Windows PC Today
Follow this checklist to dramatically improve your Windows security in under 30 minutes
