Windows 11 tips for new users¶

Evert Wagner Original post: 30-9-2025 Latest update: 14-10-2025

Tips¶

Based mostly on my own experiences. Updated to date to the best of my knowledge.

There are a few installation profiles. The most common is profile 1a, used for single user PCs, so your laptop or desktop in your office. The first person to sign into a newly installed PC with profile 1a will become the “owner” of this PC. Importantly, this will be the only user that has access to “Admin by request” and a filled “Company Portal”.

Other users can still log into this PC, albeit with the restriction mentioned above.
1. Admin by request is the new system to get administrator rights, needed for installing certain programs or making changes to system settings. A “localadmin” account is not available anymore. Admin by request is an app/program that needs to be installed through the “Company Portal” and can then easily be turned on.
2. Company Portal is the new name for what used to be “Software Center” in Windows 10. At the time of writing, only the “owner” of the PC has a filled Company Portal. If you are not the owner, this Company Portal is empty.
Upon first login, Windows 11 will ask you for your email address. Do NOT use your email address, but your <NetID>@tudelft.nl.
Especially during first start-up, Windows 11 asks for your 2-factor authentication a few times. Make sure you have it at the ready.
Shortly after first login, you’ll be prompted to make a Windows Hello PIN code for login. This cannot be avoided, the cancel button just returns you to the same prompt. The default is a 6-letter code; however, it looks like you can (with a checkbox) allow for letters and numbers, perhaps also longer than 6 characters. After having made this PIN code, you’ll mostly log in with your PIN code, although you can still low in with your NetID password.

Importantly, your PIN is NOT your NetID password. I think you can make your PIN be the same as your password (in length and characters used), but they are not the same. Also, it looks like, if you “own” multiple PCs, you get to put in a PIN for every PC. They don’t need to be the same, they seem only linked to that specific PC.

You may run the risk of forgetting your NetID password when mostly using PIN to log in.
In the start menu, Outlook shows up. However, this is “new” Outlook and is not usable for us at the time of writing. After logging in, you’ll get some error that you don’t have access. To use Outlook, find “Outlook (classic)”. This is the version you’re familiar with from Windows 10.
In Outlook Classic, it can be that not all “My Calendars” are transferred. You may need to add them manually again.
Remote Desktop Connection access has to be requested through a Topdesk call to ICT. Unlike in Windows 10, a localadmin (or AbR) can’t allow RDC access. ICT will provide a <PC-serial-numer>.rdp file. Doubleclick that file, select “connect” and “yes” at the two following screens, and login using AzureAD\<NetID>@tudelft.nl. (Call C25100913, 6-10-2025) In profile 1, only the “owner” can get RDC access. In profile 3, multiple accounts are planned to get RDC access, but this profile is not out yet. (Call C251001913, 3-10-2025)
Students can’t become a PC “owner”, so they can’t be the first person to login to a fresh Win11 installation (profile 1a). This also means they don’t have a filled Company Portal, thus can’t install software in that way.
Only Microsoft Edge is installed by default. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox can be installed through the Company Portal.
Students also login using <NetID>@tudelft.nl, not @student.tudelft.nl.
Students might not see “N:” (Staff-Bulk) mounted, although “H:” and “M:”. Use this guide to mount any missing network drive.

Profiles descriptions¶

As we are waiting for Profile descriptions from ICT, below you can find a table with the information we’ve gathered so far. Profile descriptions are expected in the 2^nd week of October, available on Intranet (Windows 11 support student, 30-9-2025)

profile	name	purpose	admin by request	remark
1a	Personal use	Meant for office desktops/laptops, that are used by a single user	AbR: only the “owner”, defined by the first login
2	Multiple users	Meant for student rooms, many different users	AbR: none
3	Measurement PCs	Meant for lab PCs	AbR: only the “owner”, defined by the first login. ICT is working on multiple accounts to have access to AbR (email Platform-TNW, 13-9-2025)	No automatic updates, user defines when updates happen. Forced after some period (~3 months).

FAQ¶

In no particular order…

What to do with PCs that can’t be upgraded yet, like measurement PCs that require profile 3?

ICT has bought extended support for one year for all Windows 10 PCs in order to keep receiving security updates (email Platform-TNW, 19-9-2025). Profile 3 has been in development until now. Roll-out is started at TNW in mid October. Owners/users of Windows 10 measurement PCs will be contacted by ICT for migration. If you are interested in migration before being contacted, contract the TNW Faculty ICT-Manager Ralph Westenberg (Platform-TNW meeting, 9-10-2025).
What happens to Windows 10 (measurement) PCs that users can’t or don’t want to upgrade?

There might be some solution where these PCs are placed in a seperate (isolated) VLAN, a solution that is currently also being used for other outdated systems. This should still allow access to TUD network drives, but no(?) internet access.
How many PCs can one person “own”?

Maximum 15 (Windows 11 support student, 30-9-2025). This is planned to be extended, especially for those that maintain many PCs. Timeline unknown. (Platform-TNW meeting, 9-10-2025)
Currently, profile 1a and 3(a?) only allow a single “owner” that has Admin by Request. Will this be extended to allow multiple accounts Admin by Request?

ICT is working on multiple accounts to have access to AbR (email Platform-TNW, 13-9-2025), however this appears only for profile 3 (Platform-TNW meeting, 9-10-2025).
How can I change the “owner” of a PC?

Windows 11 will need a full reinstallation. (Windows 11 support student, 30-9-2025)
I’m buying a new PC, when do I need to know what profile to have installed?

You’ll need to state your profile at the time of ordering, as the initial installation of the PC is being done by the supplier. (Platform-TNW meeting, 9-10-2025)

Contact, feedback¶

If you have any questions, comments or additions, please feel free to contact me: e.c.wagner@tudelft.nl