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Practical IT Support Checklist

New Workstation & User Setup

A practical checklist for preparing a Windows workstation, validating essential functions, orienting the user, and documenting handover. It demonstrates a support method and does not claim enterprise deployment, domain administration, or a specific client engagement.

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8Setup Stages
6Validation Areas
5Handover Records

Requirements and Scope

Prepare only what is authorized and necessary
Requirements review

Confirm the user’s approved applications, connectivity, printer, language, storage, and basic accessibility needs.

Device inspection

Check physical condition, power, peripherals, storage availability, and visible safety concerns before configuration.

Privacy boundary

Use generic examples only. Do not publish user names, credentials, device serial numbers, private email, or internal configuration.

Technology boundary

This checklist does not represent Active Directory, Microsoft Intune, Group Policy, domain administration, or automated enterprise deployment.

Eight-Stage Setup Workflow

A deliberate sequence from intake to handover
Review requirements and authorizationUnderstand the user’s approved work needs
  • Confirm intended user, applications, peripherals, and connectivity.
  • Identify licensing, administrative access, and policy dependencies.
  • Escalate missing authorization before installing or changing software.
Inspect workstation and accessoriesCheck physical readiness and inventory without publishing identifiers
  • Inspect power, display, keyboard, mouse, ports, and supplied accessories.
  • Check storage availability and visible device condition.
  • Record identifiers only in an authorized private system.
Configure Windows basicsPrepare locale, time, display, power, and approved account settings
  • Confirm language, region, time zone, keyboard, and display settings.
  • Create only the approved account type using the authorized process.
  • Apply practical accessibility or power settings where requested.
Apply updates and validate driversEstablish a stable supported baseline
  • Install approved Windows updates and restart when required.
  • Review Device Manager for unresolved hardware issues.
  • Use approved manufacturer or Windows driver sources.
Install approved applicationsOffice, browser, communication, and security tools as authorized
  • Confirm licensing before installation.
  • Configure only approved applications and safe defaults.
  • Verify antivirus or built-in security protection is active and current.
Connect services and peripheralsNetwork, printer, browser, email, and approved storage locations
  • Validate local network and expected internet access.
  • Connect and test the authorized printer.
  • Confirm approved email, browser, folders, and backup location without exposing credentials.
Run acceptance checksTest the workstation as the user will use it
  • Restart and confirm a stable sign-in.
  • Open essential applications and test a safe document workflow.
  • Validate network, browser, email where authorized, printer, audio, and removable devices as applicable.
Orient the user and document handoverExplain essential actions and record open items
  • Show sign-in, application access, storage, printing, updates, and safe support contact steps.
  • Confirm the user can repeat the essential workflow.
  • Record completed checks, exceptions, recommendations, and escalation ownership.

Six Acceptance Areas

A setup is complete only after practical verification
Startup and sign-in
Restart, account access, time, and desktop state
Updates and devices
Windows status and unresolved driver warnings
Applications
Launch and basic approved workflow
Connectivity
Expected network and browser access
Printer and peripherals
Test page and applicable accessory checks
User workflow
User repeats the essential task and knows how to request help

Handover Record

Document what was checked without exposing sensitive data
Completed scope

Record the approved configuration, applications, peripherals, and tests completed.

Exceptions

Identify unresolved drivers, licensing, hardware, access, or policy dependencies.

User orientation

Note the essential tasks demonstrated and confirmed by the user.

Next action

Assign ownership for escalation, follow-up, maintenance, or replacement recommendations.

Privacy check

Keep credentials and personal or device identifiers out of public-facing documentation.

When to Escalate

Do not bypass authority or conceal an unresolved risk

Continue the IT Support Evidence

Review network and printer diagnosis, the broader troubleshooting workflow, or reusable support templates.

Network & Printer Workflow Core Troubleshooting Workflow IT Support Resources