Microsoft has introduced a change to the Windows 11 out-of-box setup experience that lets users 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 working on Windows Update.
Previously, Windows 11 setup forced users to wait through 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” button now appears below the update progress bar during setup. Users who choose it will go straight to the desktop without waiting for updates to install. Aria confirmed that skipping updates means “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 doesn’t remove updates from the setup process entirely. Users who prefer to install updates during setup 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 smoother. The company has also confirmed two other changes in development: allowing users to postpone updates indefinitely and reducing the frequency of required restarts to apply updates, with a target of once per month. However, Microsoft has not announced any release dates for these updates.
