Microsoft makes Windows 11 setup faster by letting you skip mandatory updates

Windows 11's initial setup no longer requires mandatory updates. There is now a single "Update later" button to get to desktop faster.

Microsoft is changing how Windows Update works to make it more user-friendly and less irritating. The ability to pause Windows updates for as long as you want is finally coming, and another highly requested update-related feature has finally made its way to the initial setup experience (OOBE).

Previously, when setting up a new device in online mode, Windows 11 would not let you get to the desktop without applying updates first. Depending on many factors, this process could take quite a long time. Users have been asking Microsoft to let them skip updates during the initial setup, and at long last, Microsoft listened.

Now, you can click "Update later" and skip the long installation process. Windows 11 will finish setup faster, allowing you to get the latest feature updates and security patches later.

It is worth noting that this change primarily affects non-managed, consumer devices. IT admins have dedicated policies for skipping or enforcing updates during the initial setup. Microsoft has been experimenting with the ability to skip updates for a few months. Now, the feature is enabled by default for all consumers, so the next time you buy a new Windows 11 device, you will not be forced to wait until Windows 11 installs all available updates before letting you see the desktop.

The ability to skip Windows updates is not the only upgrade for the operating system's OOBE. Microsoft might drop the mandatory Microsoft Account requirement, as even Windows engineers hate it. Some things, such as forced BitLocker encryption and mandatory internet connection, remain unaddressed for now, though.

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Posted Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 5:17 am AEST (my time).

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