Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePlug in your Surface Laptop, follow Windows’ on-screen setup, then choose how to sign in and whether to restore or transfer files. Once you reach the desktop, set up sign-in and device-location options you want, and install Windows and Surface updates. Exact hardware features vary by model.
Before you begin
- Connect the Surface Laptop to power and keep it plugged in during setup, as Microsoft recommends.
- Have your Wi-Fi details and Microsoft-account sign-in ready if you plan to use that account.
- If you are moving from another PC, decide whether you will restore a Windows backup or use the Windows PC-to-PC transfer feature. They are separate options with different requirements.
Turn on the laptop and follow the prompts. Microsoft describes the first-run process as a short series of steps to get the device ready. See Microsoft’s Surface setup guide for its general instructions.
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Choose how to sign in
During setup, Windows offers the option to sign in with a Microsoft account or create one. Microsoft says an account can connect the device to services including Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and Microsoft Store, and can be used to restore an existing Windows backup. If you prefer a different sign-in arrangement, follow the options shown on your particular Windows setup screen; the available choices can depend on the setup flow and device configuration.
Choose a way to move files and settings
There is no single “transfer everything” route: restoring a backup and transferring from another PC are different processes, and the PC-to-PC feature excludes important items. Choose the route that matches where your files are and what you need to carry over.
#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
| Route | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Restore a Windows backup | You already have a Windows backup associated with the account you use on the new Surface. | Windows may offer restoration during setup. Microsoft’s Surface backup guide explains backup options; restoration is not the same as reinstalling every app or signing in to every service. |
| PC-to-PC transfer during setup | You have the old PC available and meet the feature’s account, device, and Windows requirements. | Microsoft describes this transfer for an eligible new PC running Windows 11 version 2024 or later and under specified Microsoft-account conditions. It is not currently available in China. It excludes installed applications, OneDrive files, saved passwords and credentials, and BitLocker-encrypted drives. Review Microsoft’s PC transfer requirements and exclusions before relying on it. |
After a PC-to-PC transfer
Install applications again from their original sources, sign in to OneDrive so its files sync, and sign in to websites and apps again. If important files are on a BitLocker-encrypted drive, plan a separate supported way to access and move them; the transfer feature does not copy that drive’s contents.
Set up Windows Hello if your model supports it
After setup, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to configure available sign-in methods. Windows Hello face recognition and fingerprint sign-in depend on the exact Surface model and hardware configuration. Microsoft lists face recognition on several Surface Laptop generations and fingerprint sign-in on Surface Laptop 13-inch (1st Edition) and Surface Laptop Go models equipped with a fingerprint power button. Check the model-specific details rather than assuming your laptop has a camera or fingerprint sensor suitable for Hello. See Microsoft’s Surface sign-in guidance.
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
Turn on Find my device
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Find my device.
- Turn on Find my device if the setting is available.
For location reporting to work, Microsoft says the Surface must be online, have enough battery to send its location, and be signed in with a Microsoft account. This is a recovery aid, not a guarantee that a lost or offline laptop can be located.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Install Windows and Surface updates
- Connect to a stable internet connection and keep the Surface plugged into power. Microsoft’s driver guidance says the battery should be at least 40% before installing updates.
- Open the Surface app, expand Help & support, and check the update status. The app’s update action opens Windows Update.
- Install available Windows and Surface updates, following any device-specific prompts. Restart when Windows requests it, then check again if updates remain.
Microsoft’s Surface driver and firmware instructions cover update installation and device-specific options. Use Windows Update and the Surface app for normal updates rather than downloading a driver package for a different Surface model.
Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Optional: consider a protection plan
Microsoft mentions Surface Protection Plans as an optional setup consideration, but says availability is limited to select markets. Check the terms for your location and exact device before deciding; availability and coverage should not be assumed from the setup screen alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
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