Katarzyna Petru
Some changes in the operating system can go unnoticed. Others are like a weight lifted from the heart – and that’s exactly how Windows 11 users feel today. Microsoft has finally dealt with one of the most annoying features in the latest version of the system: SCOOBE, or Second-chance out-of-box experience.
SCOOBE: the screen that everyone wanted to close as quickly as possible
If you have ever installed Windows 11 or simply set up a new account, you surely know that moment: you log in and… instead of the desktop, you are presented with a set of “suggestions” from Microsoft. Location, personalisation, cloud integration, suggestions for Edge and OneDrive – all broken down into several screens, with no way to quickly skip past them.
For many, this was not only a waste of time but also a demonstration of how little the operating system trusts the user. Instead of allowing you to get straight to work, it forced you to click through something you didn't need.
What is changing?
In the new version of Windows 11 Dev, SCOOBE has undergone a complete overhaul. Instead of a cascade of screens, we now have one clear page with a list of all the proposed features. But that's not all – Microsoft has added two buttons that can complete the entire process in less than 5 seconds:
“Accept all” – for those who do not want to delve into the details,
“Keep current settings” – for users who simply want to move forward and not change anything.
This is a significant simplification that reduces configuration time and eliminates the frustration of mandatory clicking through.
Good news for offline users and local accounts
Those who install Windows without internet access or use local user accounts will be the most pleased. For them, SCOOBE was particularly troublesome, as it often led to dead ends or forced a connection to the network. Now this feature is becoming optional. Moreover – it can be completely disabled from the system notification settings. No tricks or complicated methods.
The new version of SCOOBE is currently being released to testers as part of the Windows Insider programme. Feedback can be submitted via the Feedback Hub – and there are many indications that it was indeed the users' voices that drove this change. This is not just a cosmetic fix. It is a signal that Microsoft is beginning to listen to its community, rather than forcing its own ideas on users. And for millions of Windows users, this means one thing: fewer obstacles, more control, and a faster start.
Source: ppe.pl
