Microsoft is updating the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) for Windows 11 to accelerate the initial setup process on ARM-based devices. Hardware partners can now choose to skip non-critical driver and firmware updates during the initial configuration, allowing users to reach the desktop faster.
The new functionality applies to devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. Microsoft has introduced a system manifest mechanism that allows manufacturers to provide updates based on specific versions. This approach ensures that only essential fixes are applied during the setup phase.
Under the previous system, devices automatically fetched the latest available manifest, which often included unnecessary updates that extended the setup time. Now, manufacturers can set a baseline version for OOBE, requiring updates only for devices that fall below that specific threshold.
Microsoft specifies that this mechanism should be reserved for critical issues that could prevent the completion of the setup process or lead to hardware returns. Minor fixes and aesthetic improvements will continue to be delivered through the standard Windows Update channel after the initial setup.
The company emphasizes that this change does not replace the need for stable factory images. Partners are still required to ensure that devices ship with reliable software, as the OOBE update path is intended only as a supplementary method for deploying essential, pre-approved fixes.
