# Using your own Windows hardware

This procedure describes how to prepare a customer-provided Windows device (e.g. MTRs, Zoom Rooms, OEM OPS, NUC PCs, ...). To ensure stability, security and full support, the steps below must be followed exactly.

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**A fresh installation of Windows is mandatory**. Installing Mago directly, without a fresh installation of Windows, on systems running modified OEM images, collaboration appliance images (Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms) or preconfigured OPS firmware, **is not supported and will not work**.
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### Install Windows 11

1. Create a Windows 11 installation USB using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool. Refer to this guide: <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d>
2. Boot from the USB key using BIOS or Advanced Recovery options.
3. When prompted, delete **all partitions** until only “Unallocated space” remains, then install Windows.
4. Complete OOBE:
   * Select region and keyboard
   * At the account step, **create a local Administrator user**
   * If Windows forces online login, disconnect all network connections (Ethernet and WiFi), reboot, press **SHIFT + F10** to open the Command Prompt and run "**OOBE\BYPASSNRO**" (without quotes)
5. Once on the desktop, connect to the internet.
6. Activate Windows with a valid Windows 11 Pro, IoT or Enterprise license.
7. Rename the PC (room name or device name) and restart.
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### Update the system

1. Install all Windows Updates.
2. Install **Optional Updates** (drivers, firmware, .NET components).
3. Open Device Manager and confirm that **no devices** are missing drivers.
4. Install any required vendor clients for peripherals (Jabra, Logitech, Poly).
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### Configure Windows 11

#### Power and performance

* Control Panel → Power Options → set to Ultimate Performance (preferred) or High Performance.
* Optional: Enable Fast Startup (if available on the hardware).

#### Security settings

* User Access Control (UAC): set to **Always notify** (highest level).
* Add Mago and all files inside *Program Files\Mago* to Antivirus and Firewall **exclusions**.
* Ensure the admin account is able to create a local unprivileged user (required during installation).

#### System and language

* Enable **Location Services** and allow apps to use location.
* Set Language, Region, and Time Zone correctly.
* Enable automatic Date & Time and NTP sync (time.windows.com).

#### Display configuration

* Windows Settings → System → Display:
  * Set the main display as **Primary**
  * Set additional displays (including wired tabletop touch controllers) as **Extended**
  * Refresh rate: **60 Hz or higher**, where possible
  * Recommended scale for main screen: **250 percent**
* For touch controllers:
  * Control Panel → Tablet PC Settings → **Calibrate touch** for each screen

Restart the PC.
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### Enable Bluetooth for Proximity Join

* Enable Bluetooth on the device (BLE 4.0 or higher required).
* Bluetooth is used only for proximity detection using **ADV\_NONCONN\_INT** beacons.
* No pairing is required.
* All data transfer occurs through secure E2E encrypted HTTPS signaling.
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### Remove unnecessary components

* Uninstall Microsoft Teams (any preinstalled variant).
* Remove unwanted OEM apps or bloatware.
* Remove OneDrive (optional, improves boot speed).
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### Install and activate Mago

1. Log in as the Administrator.
2. Download the latest Mago release from: [**https://admin.mago.io**](https://admin.mago.io) **→ Downloads**.
3. Run the installer.
4. When prompted, launch the **Mago Configuration Wizard**.
5. Follow the steps to activate Mago (locally or online) here: [activation-and-first-configuration](https://kb.mago.io/mago-pro/setup-guide/activation-and-first-configuration "mention")

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At the Local User step, choose a username and optional password. Complete all remaining steps and restart.
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Windows will automatically log into the new **Mago** local user and launch Mago.
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### Configure the Mago user

1. Close the Mago app:
   * If kiosk mode is enabled, disable it via “Mago Settings → Advanced” as Admin user (<kbd>CTRL+ALT+DEL</kbd> → Logout → Login as Admin → Open Mago Room Settings) or via Admin Center policy.
   * If kiosk mode is disabled: long-press the top Mago logo for 5 seconds and confirm exit.
2. Set audio input/output devices correctly under Windows Settings.
3. Confirm Google Chrome is the default browser. If not, set it manually.
4. Disable all Windows notifications.

Optional performance tuning

* Unpin all taskbar icons.
* Disable Search, Widgets and Task View.
* Set Dark mode theme.
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### Optional: Install and configure the Microsoft Teams desktop client

1. Login with the Mago local user.
2. Close the Mago app (disable kiosk mode, if enabled, and long-press the Mago logo for 5 seconds).&#x20;
3. Uninstall any preinstalled Teams or Teams Personal.
4. Download the latest Teams desktop client using Chrome.
5. Sign in with the **same room resource account** used in Mago settings (Calendar and Instant Meetings).
6. Apply these Teams settings:
   * Disable Auto-start
   * Enable Open in background
   * Enable Keep running when closed
   * Enable Turn off animations
7. Start a Meet Now and check microphone, speaker and camera settings.
8. Close Teams.
9. Enable “Use Teams Desktop Client” in Mago Settings → Advanced, and save.
10. Restart the PC.
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### First-use validation

Verify that the room behaves correctly.

1. Automatic login to the Mago user.
2. Launch a Teams meeting from Mago and verify:
   * Auto-join
   * Camera works
   * Microphone works
   * Speaker output is correct
3. Repeat with Zoom, Google Meet and Webex, or any preferred provider.
4. Test all configured screen sharing methods:
   * HDMI ingest
   * Miracast
   * AirPlay
   * Google Cast
   * Mago Link (magolink.com)
5. Test Mago whiteboard (offline and online).
6. Test installed apps (e.g. Chrome).
7. End the meeting and confirm full session cleanup.
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