Earlier this week, Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 version 1909 (November 2019 Update). As predicted, the release was minor in terms of features per Microsoft's new update strategy. However, one major change was onboard Windows 10 version 1909. Specifically, the update introduces a new Setup experience for Windows 10 Home.
Microsoft's new Out of the Box Experience (OOBE) for Windows 10 Home. Normally, the Setup process for the platform is split in two parts. The first is an interactive setup process that is offline for business, while the second is for customers and is a wizard for setting up Windows.
People with a new PC or resetting their PC through the recovery tool should only use a single OOBE. Microsoft has changed how this wizard works for Home and Pro users.
Previously the OOBE would allow users to choose between a local account (offline) and setting up Windows 10 with a Microsoft Account. Now the experience on Pro and Home handle the setup differently.
New OOBE
Looking at Windows 10 Pro first, users can still choose between a local setup or a Microsoft account. This means the “Sign in with Microsoft” button remains.
The “Offline Account” button is somewhat hidden and much smaller, but it is there. When this link is selected a user must create a local username before being presented with a limited amount of configuration options.
For Windows 10 Home, the changes are more expansive. For example, Cortana leads the way with a welcome monologue that we believe doesn't need to be there.
Windows 10 Home no longer offers the “Offline account” option if you have not connected to a network. This means to sign in locally you will need to avoid connecting to a network earlier in the OOBE on Windows 10 version 1909.
