Windows 11 Personalization First Steps

After you complete a clean install or have signed into a new Windows 11 PC for the first time, you should make sure that everything is working properly and prepare your PC for the future.

Here are a few post-install tasks to perform.
You should try to perform these tasks in the listed order, and reboot as directed before continuing.
Lower the volume
Microsoft inexplicably configures Windows 11 to output sound at a very high volume. So, be sure to lower the system volume now using the Volume icon in the system tray or, if your PC supports it, via the PC's Volume keys or buttons.
Delete superfluous Microsoft Edge shortcuts
Microsoft really wants you to use its new web browser, called Microsoft Edge. And you can tell because it creates shortcuts to it on the Taskbar, in the Start menu, and on the Desktop. That's probably two too many shortcuts, even if you plan to use Microsoft Edge. We recommend at least deleting the Desktop shortcut. And, if you intend to use another web browser, the Taskbar shortcut as well.
Turn off Do not disturb (Optional)
New to Windows 11, Microsoft now enables a feature called Do not disturb the first time you boot into your new Desktop. It's not clear why it made this change, but you will not receive most notifications until you disable Do not disturb.

To do so, select the date/time display in the far right of the Taskbar to display the Notifications and Calendar panes.

Configure the Desktop theme (Optional)
In addition to supporting Dark and light modes like Windows 10, Windows 11 also sees the return of themes, where each theme is a combination of a background, an accent color, a sound scheme, and a mouse cursor. The default Windows 11 theme displays in Light mode and includes a pleasant "bloom"-inspired background, a medium blue accent color, mellow sounds, and the default mouse cursor. But you can change any or all of it as you like, and there's no time like the present.

To change the theme, or any other aspect of the default Desktop display, open the Settings app and navigate to Personalization. In that view, you will find a set of theme thumbnails and options related to the background, colors, and themes.

Alternatively, you can right-click the Desktop and choose "Personalize" from the context menu that appears to navigate directly to this interface.
Configure File Explorer
While many will find that File Explorer works fine in its default configuration, others may wish to make a few changes based on their needs. Key among these changes are configuring which view File Explorer displays when first run and determining whether the app displays recently-accessed files and folders.

These and other File Explorer features are configured using the Folder Options dialog. To display this dialog, open File Explorer and then select See more ("...") and then Options.

You can also open File Explorer by typing WINKEY + E.
To configure the default view, select the drop-down next to "Open File E...