A new update to the out of box setup experience on Windows 11 has added the ability to try out Copilot as your PC installs the latest OS version. First spotted by @WithinRafael on X, the setup experience now shows a "try now" button for Copilot, which when clicked will open the Copilot chat interface.
This interface is integrated directly within the out of box experience interface, and doesn't require a Microsoft account to use. Just like using Copilot normally, you can ask the AI assistant questions and even generate images, all while your PC progresses through setup.
The ability to try Copilot only appears when your PC is downloading an update during the setup experience. This usually happens when your PC needs to download a day one firmware update, or is running an older build of Windows 11 that needs to be updated to the latest version before use.
You can use Copilot in OOBE too. No MSA needed. pic.twitter.com/Twi31TxQ7RFebruary 7, 2026
This isn't the first time Microsoft has added interactive experiences to the out of box experience during this update phase. Previously, it was possible to play Edge Surf, a fun lightweight game that's built-in to Microsoft Edge, playable during the out of box setup phase.
Now, with Copilot integration, you can spend your time chatting with Microsoft's AI tool instead. This part of the setup experience usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on how big the update is and your network connection. So you'll have plenty of time to get to know Copilot.
Do you think adding Copilot to the OOBE on Windows 11 is a good idea? Might this encourage users to try it out while they wait for their PC to finish updating? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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