How to set up a Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 laptop after purchase: detailed instructions 2026

The First Steps With A New Laptop: What You Need To Do Immediately

You just unpacked your shiny Xiaomi RedmiBook 8, a stylish laptop with a metal body, slim bezels and powerful stuffing. But before you dive into work or games, it needs to be set up properly. Even if you're a power user, RedmiBook 8 has its own features, from hidden features in the BIOS to Xiaomi's proprietary utilities that are worth activating from day one.

In this article, we’ll look at all the steps of setting up, from first turn on to fine-tuning, how to avoid common bugs (like why the touchpad doesn’t work after the BIOS update), which drivers to install first, and how to enable hidden features like Fast Boot or fan management. And the unique RedmiBook 8 chips that aren’t mentioned in the standard instructions, like how to reassign function keys or turn off irritating charging sound.

If you're switching from another laptop (especially not Xiaomi), look at the data migration section, which has some compatibility nuances, and if you're a newbie, don't worry: the manual is written to make it clear without technical terms.

Preparation for the first inclusion: what to check in the box

Before you press the power button, make sure you have everything you need. Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 comes in a minimalist package, but sometimes users miss important details:

• 🔌 Power supply – check if the power is consistent (usually) 65W or 100W) The adapter body should have a specification sticker.
• 📄 Warranty card - without it, the service center may refuse repairs. In some countries, the ticket comes electronically (check email).
• 🔑 Key to SIM-The slate, if your model supports 4G (For example, RedmiBook 8 Pro, the box must have a metal key to remove the tray.
• 📋 Documentation – a brief guide in several languages (including Russian) that lists the serial number of the laptop – useful for registering on the Xiaomi website.

Pay special attention to the serial number (usually on a sticker under a laptop or in documents) and you will need it for:

• 🛡️ Activation of the guarantee on the official website mi.com.
• 🔄 Check the originality of the device (through the service) mi.com/verify).
• 📥 Download drivers and firmware (on some models they are tied to the SN).

⚠️ Note: If there is no power supply in the box (for example, you bought a used laptop), do not use adapters from other devices. RedmiBook 8 requires voltage power 20V currentlessly 3.25A. Inappropriate adapter can disable motherboard.

First Enabling and Configuring the BIOS: Step-by-step Instructions

When you first run RedmiBook 8, you have to configure the BIOS, the basic I/O system, and you can enable virtualization (some programs need), adjust boot priority, or even overclock RAM (some models).

1. Turn on your laptop, press F2 (or Del, depending on the BIOS version) immediately every 0.5 seconds until the blue BIOS screen appears.
2. Go to the Advanced section → CPU Configuration: 🔧 Enable Intel Virtualization Technology (needed for Android emulators or virtual machines). 🔄 Disable Intel SpeedStep if you plan to overclock (but it will reduce battery life).

In the Boot section:

• 💾 Set up priority download with NVMe SSD (If you plan to install Windows).
• 🔒 Disable Secure Boot if you are installing Linux or an older version of Windows.
• Save settings (F10) and restart.

⚠️ Note: If you have changed your settings BIOS laptop doesn't turn on (black screen, light flashes), reset. To do this: Turn off power. Press the power button for 30 seconds. Turn on the laptop — BIOS return to factory settings.

Windows Installation: Clean System or Data Migration

RedmiBook 8 usually comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed (in some markets, with Windows 10 and a free upgrade), but many users prefer to install the system from scratch, so the laptop runs faster and without unnecessary software.

Option 1: Clean Windows installation (recommended)

This will require:

• 💿 A flash drive. ≥8 GB (formatted in the FAT32).
• 📥 Official image of Windows from Microsoft website.
• 🔑 License key (unless activated automatically through a digital license).

3. Optimization of the SSD

RedmiBook 8 is equipped with a fast NVMe SSD, but Windows by default does not always use it to its fullest.

• 🛠️ Turn off indexing for SSD (in the properties of the disk uncheck the tick with Allow indexing...).
• 🗑️ Turn off defragmentation for SSD (It only reduces the storage capacity).
• 🔄 Turn it on. TRIM (Open the command line on behalf of the admin and enter fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0).

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On RedmiBook 8 with AMD Ryzen processor, be sure to install the driver AMD Chipset from the official website - this eliminates hangings when leaving sleep and improves the touchpad.

Xiaomi’s signature chips: what can be included in Mi Smart Share and Mi Bluetooth

Xiaomi has added some unique features to RedmiBook 8 that you won’t find in other brands’ laptops, which are easy to miss, but they make things a lot easier:

1. Mi Smart Share (Fast File Transfer)

It's an analogue of Apple's AirDrop, but for the Xiaomi ecosystem, to transfer files between a laptop and a Redmi/POCO/Xiaomi smartphone:

1. Install the Mi Smart Share app from the Microsoft Store.
2. On your smartphone, turn on Mi Smart Share in the notification curtain.
3. Select files on your laptop → right click → Send with Mi Smart Share.

Transfer speeds up to 10MB/s (faster than Bluetooth!).

2.Sync clipboard with Mi Cloud

If you are registered with Mi Account, you can copy text on your smartphone and paste it on your laptop (and vice versa).

• 📱 On a smartphone: Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization → buffer.
• 💻 On a laptop: install the Mi PC Suite and log in to the same account.

3. Control of the laptop from a smartphone

With the Mi Remote app (on Android), you can:

• 🎵 Manage music/video playback.
• 📷 Use your smartphone as a webcam for Zoom/Teams.
• 🔑 Unlock the laptop by fingerprint (if there is a scanner on the smartphone).

⚠️ Note: If you don’t use Mi Account features, turn off sync in settings. In 2023, there were cases when data leaks occurred due to vulnerabilities in the Xiaomi cloud (especially if you use simple passwords).

Battery setting: how to extend battery life

The RedmiBook 8 has a 46/56 Wh battery (depending on the model), but its actual life depends on how you use it.

1. Battery calibration

After purchase (and then every 3 months) perform a full discharge / charging cycle:

1. Charge the laptop to 100%.
2. Turn off the power and discharge to 0% (until it turns off).
3. Connect the charger and charge up to 100% without interruptions.

2. Optimal charging settings

The RedmiBook 8 BIOS has a hidden Battery Health Mode option that limits the charge to 80% to extend battery life.

1. Go to the BIOS (F2 when enabled).
2. Go to Advanced → Smart Battery.
3. Select Battery Health Mode → Enabled.

Temperature conditions

RedmiBook 8 is sensitive to overheating, to avoid degradation.

• 🌡️ Do not use your laptop on soft surfaces (blanket, sofa) – this blocks ventilation.
• 🔥 At temperatures above 30°C indoors use a cooling stand.
• ❄️ Do not leave your laptop in the cold (below 0) in winter.°C) - this could damage the battery.

Check the battery status through the command line:

powercfg /batteryreport

The battery-report.html file will open in the user folder. Pay attention to the Design Capacity and Full Charge Capacity settings. If the difference is greater than 20%, it's time to replace the battery.

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If the laptop is not powered by the battery but is powered by the network, try resetting the power controller: turn off the charging, press the power button for 60 seconds, then plug the charging and turn on the laptop.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions