Windows 11 Finally Allows Skipping Forced Updates During Initial Setup

Microsoft is finally getting rid of one of the most annoying parts of the Windows 11 out-of-box setup experience (aka OOBE). Here, I am talking about the update section that takes away a noticeable chunk of time right out of the box, depending on how many updates need to be installed.

Windows 11 setup just got faster with optional updates at first boot

The news comes via Windows Central, which spotted a tweet by Aria (@ariaupdated on X), a Microsoft engineer who works on Windows Update. Per Aria’s post on X, Windows 11 will no longer force updates during the initial setup, a step that has frustrated users for years.

With the latest rollout, users will now see an “Update later” option during setup. That means you can jump straight into using your PC and install updates afterward, rather than being forced to sit through them upfront.

That being said, there is a trade-off involved in that process. Skipping updates means missing out on the latest security patches and features until you install them manually. It’s a choice between speed and immediate protection, and it’s unclear how many users will consistently follow up later.

The new option is “now default for everyone”

As Aria explains in a reply, Microsoft has been testing different approaches over the past few months, including a 10-minute opt-out, auto-skip, and no opt-out at all. Now, the company has now made the immediate choice option “based on user feedback and data.”

All that said, it appears to be part of a broader effort to make Windows updates less intrusive overall, including fewer restarts and more flexible scheduling. If you have been stuck at the OOBE screen, you must be aware that mandatory updates could stretch the process to 30 or even 40 minutes before reaching the desktop. Now that this feature is available for everyone, it gives a breather from those long waits before you hit the desktop.

Back in earlier versions of Windows, setup was quicker but often less secure. Now, it appears Microsoft is trying to strike a better balance between convenience and safety.