Microsoft tweaks the Windows 10 setup process with a new customization screen

[Humza]

In a nutshell: Microsoft has announced a couple of changes for its latest Windows Insider Preview Build (20231) released on the Dev channel. A subset of Insiders in the Dev Channel will now be greeted by a new "Customize your device" screen during Windows OOBE (out-of-box) installation that's meant to offer a tailored setup experience. The second change is exclusive to enterprise customers, allowing IT admins to modify file associations on a per-user or per-device basis.

Installing Windows 10 - for the average home user, at least - is usually a simple series of clicks interrupted by a few system restarts. There are also a few privacy-related settings and toggles that users should thoroughly go through, alongside several skippable screens relating to activity history, phone linkage, OneDrive, and Office 365.

Microsoft has now added a new "Customize your device" screen during the Windows setup process, where users can specify how they intend to use their PC once they've installed the OS. "Based on feedback, we’re exploring adding a page to Windows setup (OOBE) to help better understand how you plan to use your device and aid in customizing your device given your intended usage."

The feature was announced with the release of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20231. Microsoft notes that Insiders won't notice any configuration differences at this time, but improvements will be made in the future. As of now, the screen shows six user presets/workflows and, oddly, as BleepingComputer notes, developers have been left out.

While it remains to be seen how (and if) Microsoft can make this a useful feature, an effective implementation would certainly broaden its appeal. It could become a Ninite-style app installation wizard that saves the hassle of finding and downloading third-party software(s) individually, or it may become another way for Microsoft to install bloatware on new PCs, in which case the 'Skip' button is always there.

Microsoft's second feature included in its latest Windows 10 preview build is aimed at IT admins who'll soon be able to streamline their workflow with improved app defaults management. The change, which is a part of Windows Group Policy, will allow them to set default apps for opening various file types or links on company-wide PC deployments on a per-user or per-device basis. Once set, users within the organization won't need to bother with having to choose the right app for the right file/link.

Both these new features are initially being rolled out to a subset of Insiders in the Dev Channel, while a gradual expansion will take place once performance and reliability issues have been ironed out.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/87031-microsoft-tweaks-windows-10-setup-process-new-customization.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I'm glad to hear they are fixing this.

 

[netman]

I'll choose the Skip button...!

 

[pcnthuziast]

If QuantumPhysics thinks it's a good thing, you know it's definitely not.

 

[Shadowboxer]

Windows literally only occupies my gaming PC and I wish I could ditch it. I no longer use it for personal computing really. It’s garbage for that, Apples solutions are so much further ahead. But for work I’d rather stick with Windows.

 

[pcnthuziast]

Windows literally only occupies my gaming PC and I wish I could ditch it. I no longer use it for personal computing really. It’s garbage for that, Apples solutions are so much further ahead. But for work I’d rather stick with Windows.

If direct x were open source, microsoft would lose literally millions of users instantly.

 

[psycros]

How about not trying to hide the fact that you don't need to make a Microsoft account to use your own computer? How about that, you spying scumbags? Never forget that Microsoft went above and beyond anything the government's secret surveillance program required of them. This is how Big Data keeps the regulators off their backs - by letting the three-letter agencies share in the violation of your privacy.

 

[brucek]

I hate vague screens like this when they don't tell you what your choices will do. It'd be fine if you could click to see "this choice will apply settings x, y, z and install apps a, b, c" but I do not want to be left guessing about what it will do or worse what it might feel free to do on any given windows update.

That said I suspect what it will most do is influence how you the "user" and "your" desktop experience are sold to Microsoft's advertising and other business partners.

 

[kimo1]

In the end I'll still end up using WinNTSetup.

 

[Impudicus]

Usually setting up a PC for gaming it is best to disable all the Microsoft gaming options. Especially anything with XBox in the name. I'm waiting for a option to disable everything that isn't essential to the task I am performing. I never want to be playing a game, it's running unusually poor, only to see the message "while you were gaming we scanned your pc" when I exit the game.

 

[Dyson Parkes]

Usually setting up a PC for gaming it is best to disable all the Microsoft gaming options. Especially anything with XBox in the name. I'm waiting for a option to disable everything that isn't essential to the task I am performing. I never want to be playing a game, it's running unusually poor, only to see the message "while you were gaming we scanned your pc" when I exit the game.

Windows10Debloater. Disable all the crapware.

 

[defaultluser]

If direct x were open source, microsoft would lose literally millions of users instantly.

Yes, but not the billion Windows 10 business users, or the Mac users - most of those are already wed to their application's avaialble platforms.


Pure gamers on Windows are a drop in the bucket. And most pure Windows gamers would still refuse to put-up-with the complexity you have when using an open-source system.

Just see how little user-base Steam on Ubuntu has. They even spent massive amounts of money fixing Proton, but still hardly anyone uses it.

Microsoft will continue to be fine, as Linux-on-the-desktop has yet to actually target any of the universal usability features you can get from any Windows laptop. Linux would rather you reinvent the wheel several thousand different ways (from the OS installer to the Application Manager to the Window Manager to the Boot Manager to th ...well, you get it?

At most, they might lose 5% of Windows gamers.

 

[Nobina]

I'd prefer if I could install Windows 10 without any of their preinstalled bs. Ofcourse that will never happen since Microsoft doesn't like the idea of Windows just being a platform.

 

[Ketosis]

If QuantumPhysics thinks it's a good thing, you know it's definitely not.

lol

 

[kmo911]

Most easy are just having mand nvme ssd disks to install. and dont save anyting to my documents at all. make a directory on onedrive.

 

[1isapc]

Where is the panel that says JUST LIKE WINDOWS 7
Microsoft stuffs up again