# Getting Started with Linux Mint
## First Run
When you first turn on your laptop after installing Linux Mint, you should see a login screen like this one:
Linux Mint 22 login screen
Type in your **password** and press `Enter`. You will have to enter your password every time you log in to your computer, when you install new apps, and when you update your computer.
Once you have logged in, you will see a "Welcome" screen giving you some basic information to set up your computer. Press the green "Let's go!" button to continue.
You will now see a list of setup options. You may not see all of these options, depending on your computer.
## The Taskbar
At the bottom of your screen, you will see a long horizontal strip called the **taskbar**.
The left and right side of the taskbar
The left side of the taskbar shows commonly used apps and apps that are currently open.
Apps with a highlighted background and a blue underline are currently open, but may not be visible beneath other windows. Apps without a highlighted background can be clicked to open them.
The leftmost icon, the white "LM" in a circle, can be clicked on to search through your installed apps.
The right side shows information like the current time and your computer’s battery life.
## Connecting to Internet (WiFi)
You should see an icon on the bottom left of the taskbar that looks like two arrows (⇄). This button allows you to connect to a WiFi network. Click the button and select a WiFi network from the list, and enter the network password if needed. Once connected, the icon should change to a WiFi symbol (🛜).
## Setting Up Automatic Updates
It's important to keep all software up to date for security reasons. Outdated software can slow down your computer or cause potential issues. Linux Mint includes a program that will automatically download and install updates. Here's how to set it up:
1. Click the shield icon on the bottom right of the taskbar.\
2. The Update Manager app will open. Click "OK" to continue.\
3. At the top left of this window, click "Edit", then "Preferences".\
4. A new window will open. At the top of this window, click "Automation", then turn on the checkbox next to "Apply updates automatically".\
This will automatically keep your computer up to date when new updates are released.
## Using Apps
Linux Mint comes pre-loaded with a variety of apps. Some apps you may find useful will be shown here, but you can always browse all the apps currently installed by clicking the white "LM" icon in the bottom left of your taskbar.
### Firefox
Firefox is an internet browser similar to Google Chrome or Apple Safari.
### LibreOffice
If you are used to using Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, the LibreOffice suite of apps should be very intuitive to use. As Microsoft doesn't make Office products available on Linux, the LibreOffice apps are the most popular alternative.
**LibreOffice Writer** is a word processor that functions nearly identically to Microsoft Word.
**LibreOffice Calc** is a spreadsheet editor with all of the same commands and macros as Excel.
If you are new to using the LibreOffice suite, I would reccomend following this guide to make LibreOffice look more similar to Microsoft Office.
{% content-ref url="/pages/N5cICehSdIxgHy1Irb7n" %}
[Making LibreOffice Look Like Microsoft Office](/linux-mint-guides/making-libreoffice-look-like-microsoft-office.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Thunderbird
Thunderbird is a client for reading and writing emails. If you already have an email account with Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or another provider, you can sign in with the Thunderbird app to view your emails without using a browser.
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