Microsoft recently promised to reduce the number of unnecessary prompts and recommendations during the Windows 11 installation process, with the aim of offering a “more relaxed experience.” This comes after its September 2025 move that made post-installation security updates mandatory and unskippable.
The latest news is that anyone who installs (or reinstalls) Windows 11 from scratch will have the option to skip post-installation updates. This process, called the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), has gotten longer and more frustrating over the years, so it’s great that Microsoft is now cutting back and allowing you to hop straight to the desktop faster.
According to Windows Latest, this change is officially being rolled out by Microsoft, although it’s unclear how long the rollout will take and when you’ll actually get it on your own machine. To skip updates during OOBE setup, you’ll just click “Update Later” on the relevant screen.
Of course, it’s important to note that updates are important for security and skipping these updates during OOBE setup will leave your PC vulnerable to unpatched security flaws and vulnerabilities until you get around to installing them. Don’t delay those updates for too long.
By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’re missing out on the many benefits of Windows 11 Pro. To learn more, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you want to upgrade, snag it for cheap in the PCWorld Software Store: now just $59 instead of $99.
