[Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL] kingkwahli:
Hey, XDA Community!

I have reformatted many Lumias and set them back up. Here are the best steps for your new Lumia!

(This was based on Lumia 950 but most should follow the same.)

1. Language and region*

2. Date and time - Most will be set to 2015 and will not auto-sync until way after you finish setup. Just try to get them as close as possible so most apps & downloads will work.

3. Wi-Fi - Those keys are small, double-check you entered your password correctly by holding down the eye.

4. Express - Basically just turns on a few of useful Windows features. Just continue.

5. Microsoft account - Tap "Sign in later". No matter how hard you try, Lumia will not sign in to your account during setup. If you want to add it, do so later.

6. Reset Protection - This makes it difficult to reset your phone, and since you didn't add an account during setup it will not turn on. Keep this off just in case! There is a way to enable it in settings if you really want it on though.**

7. Apps - This will take about 5 minutes, so watch a few TikToks while you wait. This isn't your main phone, right?

8. Carrier setup - If you bought a carrier branded Lumia likely this is the step where it will have you set up extra apps. Just follow the prompts or skip if possible and you want to.

----This is the official end of setup. But! I have some recommended extras that you should do.----​

9. Updates! - Update your Lumia, likely it is outdated. The latest update is from 2020, so head into Settings and Check for updates. At first when you enter the updates screen, it says no updates available. tap that button!

10. Microsoft account (2) - While your updates are downloading, lets get that account on here! Head into Settings>Accounts>Your email and accounts. Sign in with a Microsoft account to get full features.

11. Naming - Make the Lumia yours! Go into Settings>System>About, and edit that name! Mine is simply Kwahli's phone

12. Customizing - The default wallpapers are BORING. Customize it, download some wallpapers from your PC and transfer them to your phone, or just straight from the phone. (The default browser kinda sucks) Also, head into Settings>Personalization>Colors to pick your accent color. This can really change a few things!

13. Apps 2 - Go to the Microsoft Store, update your current apps and download some new ones. My select few are Candy Crush, Dictionary, and ... Also, I recommend weeding through the apps you don't want. Windows 10 Mobile is a bit bloated.

14. More apps - The Microsoft Store can only go so far. Visit this link (works on the phone browser) for some Apps and make sure to rename the .zip to .appxbundle.We're not done yet, though! Go to Settings>Update & security>For developers. Tap "Developer mode" and ignore that warning. Now you can go back to your files and tap on them to install.

15. Finality - After all updates have completed and your apps are all good, do a good ol' reboot! Let your phone rest and charge it up. Welcome to your new Lumia!

Here's an interesting project for the devs out there: Windows 11 on the Lumia 950/950XL.

----Some notes----

*Some Lumias have this strange problem where changing your region from the preset during setup (which restarts your phone) will result in half the system apps missing. If on 1st setup this happens to you, reset the phone by this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reset-my-phone-04717aab-b858-8b37-523e-39143a6764d6

**Reset Protection can be enabled my going to Settings>Update & security>Reset Protection

Bye!