The upcoming Windows 11 version 24H2 introduces a change to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) where a cumulative update is installed during setup. This process can add a significant amount of time to the setup, sometimes 20 minutes or more. Due to this, Microsoft is providing commercial customers with a way to disable this step.
Using Group Policy or MDM to Disable Cumulative Updates During OOBE
The most effective way for businesses to manage this is through Group Policy or Mobile Device Management (MDM). A new policy will be released in mid-2025 that allows administrators to control whether devices in their organization receive quality updates during OOBE. This provides a centralized and easily configurable solution for managed environments.
Step 1: Open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) or your MDM solution’s management interface.
Step 2: Create a new Group Policy Object (GPO) or edit an existing one that applies to the target computers.
Step 3: Navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Note: The exact location may vary depending on your ADMX template versions.
Step 4: Locate the new policy setting related to OOBE cumulative update installation. This policy will likely be named something similar to “Disable Cumulative Update Installation during OOBE”.
Step 5: Enable the policy and configure any relevant options. This might include options to defer updates or pause them altogether.
Step 6: Link the GPO to the appropriate organizational unit (OU) containing the target computers, or deploy the MDM policy to the relevant device group.
Step 7: Force a Group Policy update on the target computers or allow the MDM policy to propagate. You can use the gpupdate /force command in cmd to expedite the Group Policy update.
gpupdate /force
Manually Bypassing the Cumulative Update Installation
For advanced users who need more control, creating custom installation media is a viable option.
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website.
Step 2: Use the tool to download the Windows 11 ISO file.
Step 3: Download and install a tool like Rufus or similar software to create a bootable USB drive from the ISO.
Step 4: During the Rufus configuration, you may find options to customize the installation process, including skipping the online account requirement and telemetry settings. Look for options related to skipping OOBE updates, though this may require advanced configuration or scripts.
Step 5: Create the bootable USB drive.
Step 6: Boot your PC from the USB drive and proceed with the Windows 11 installation.
Pay close attention to any prompts during the installation process that allow you to customize the setup.
Keep in mind: This method is not officially supported and may require advanced knowledge.
Things to know
- This policy change primarily targets businesses and commercial customers. Individual users won’t have direct access to this setting through the standard Windows settings app.
- The cumulative update installation during OOBE requires a system reboot.
- The time taken for the cumulative update installation can vary depending on network conditions, update size, and hardware capabilities.
While disabling cumulative updates during OOBE offers time-saving benefits, especially for large-scale deployments, it’s crucial to ensure that systems are updated promptly after installation to maintain security and stability.