Windows 11 users are suddenly greeted by a pop‑up that claims the PC is “almost done setting up.” The dialog, dubbed the Second Chance Out‑of‑Box Experience (SCOOBE), appears months after the initial install and forces a series of clicks through recommended browser settings, phone linking, and Office reminders. Microsoft then pushes a subscription pitch for Xbox Game Pass, turning a routine boot into a sales funnel.

The Xbox Game Pass offer lists a price of $14.99 per month for US customers, and the UI emphasizes the “Join” button over a subtle “Skip” link. Enterprises report spikes in support tickets as employees assume the prompt signals a system error, wasting minutes on calls that could have been avoided.

Microsoft’s tactic undermines trust in managed devices and can inadvertently install unwanted Office or gaming subscriptions, conflicting with corporate policy. IT admins can mute the feature via Settings → System → Notifications → Additional settings, but the episode illustrates how Windows updates now double as covert marketing channels, eroding productivity for small teams and large firms alike.