microsoft has introduced a change in the windows 11 Out-of-the-box setup experience that allows users to skip the update installation step during initial PC setup. The option is now generally available after months of testing with select groups, according to Aria, a Microsoft engineer who works on Windows Update.
Previously, Windows 11 setup forced users to wait for an update process that could take up to 30 minutes, depending on the number of pending updates, resulting in total setup times of up to 40 minutes.
How the Windows 11 “Update Later” button works and what it means for future updates
a new “update later” The button now appears below the update progress bar during setup. Users who choose it will go directly to the desktop without waiting for updates to install. Aria confirmed that skipping updates means that “the latest features and security fixes won’t be applied until you choose to install them after reaching the desktop.” Updates can still be installed manually later through Windows Update in Settings.
This change does not completely remove updates from the configuration process. Users who prefer to install updates during installation can do so by allowing the process to complete as before.
Microsoft is adjusting the setup process as part of its ongoing effort to make Windows 11 updates more seamless. The company has also confirmed two other changes in development: allow users to postpone updates indefinitely and reduce the frequency of reboots required to apply updates, with a goal of once a month. However, Microsoft has not announced any release date for these updates.
