Microsoft reveals Windows update details during initial OOBE setup for work PCs

Microsoft’s Upcoming Changes to Windows 11 Setup Process

In September of the previous year, Microsoft unveiled its intention to incorporate Windows updates during the initial device setup phase, known as the Out of Box Experience (OOBE).However, shortly thereafter, the company decided to postpone this enhancement in response to feedback from IT and system administrators.

New Management Policies for Windows 11 Quality Updates

Recently, Microsoft has shared fresh insights concerning the planned modifications. The technology leader confirmed that a new Group Policy and Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy will soon be introduced, aimed at enhancing how administrators oversee the deployment of Windows 11 quality updates.

Thanks to your feedback, in mid-2025, we’ll be releasing a new policy to manage whether devices in your organization receive quality updates during OOBE. This policy will allow you to choose if new Windows 11 devices on version 22H2 and higher get the latest applicable quality update during setup. You’ll be able to configure the setting via Windows Autopilot and Windows Autopilot device preparation, so you can have seamless control over updates in OOBE.

If you don’t use Autopilot through Microsoft Intune, you can still disable quality updates during OOBE by setting the Group Policy to disabled. This policy will be available as a mobile device management (MDM) policy and a Group Policy.

Parallel Developments and Resource Considerations

This situation mirrors another significant update from Microsoft introduced in May last year, which focused on managing the deployment of feature updates for Windows devices. Microsoft’s forthcoming policy, expected to become available around mid-2025, emphasizes the necessity of installing security patches during initial setup to bolster device protection right “out of the box.”

Concerning system resource utilization, Microsoft estimates that the downloading and installation process can take an average of 20 minutes. However, actual times may vary based on factors such as the size of the update, the user’s network conditions, and the hardware capabilities of the device.

For a detailed update on these changes, you can refer to the official announcement here.

As organizations increasingly rely on efficient device management, these updates are poised to provide crucial improvements in the Windows deployment process.

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