Microsoft is using post-installation setup screens in Windows 11 to push users toward Microsoft services and subscriptions, according to a report from The Register.
Users who have been running the operating system for months are suddenly being met with a dialog box stating, “You’re almost done setting up your PC.” This prompt appears long after the initial operating system installation is complete.
Upselling and user friction
The setup process uses confusing interface designs to nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred settings. One screen asks users if they would like to use Microsoft’s recommended browser settings, offering a 'Continue' button but lacking a clear 'Don't use' option.
While testing showed the prompt did not automatically change the default browser from Google Chrome to Microsoft Edge, the outlet reported the interface remains intentionally vague about the effects of clicking 'Use recommended settings.'
Following the browser prompt, Windows presents a screen encouraging users to link their smartphones to their PCs to receive SMS messages on the desktop. The interface relies on a 'Skip' link rather than a prominent 'Next' button to allow users to bypass the feature.
Further prompts remind users of installed Office software, with the report noting that for users without an existing installation, the screen serves as a sales pitch for Office 365 subscriptions. The author of the piece, Avram Piltch, noted the repetitive nature of these prompts, suggesting the experience feels like a push to "make you click until you get carpal tunnel syndrome."
According to The Register, this 'second-chance' setup approach effectively hawks Microsoft services at the expense of IT productivity and user experience.
