Out-of-box experience

The Out of box experience (OOBE), also sometimes referred as the First Time Setup is the setup wizard related to Windows, macOS and other OS experiences which launches after you install/reset them.

Windows 98 and Me
The Out of box-Experience was introduced with Windows 98. However, it does not start at first boot since the OOBE was intended to be customized by OEMs which can set the start of the OOBE at first boot.

In Windows Me, the Microsoft Agent character Merlin has been introduced. However, it was intended to be a placeholder for OEMs to put in their MS Agent character (like HP did) or modify the text which Merlin is supposed to speech. Merlin made also a appearance in Office 2000, 2001, XP, 2003, v.X and 2004 as well as Search Companion in Windows XP.

Windows XP and Server 2003
The Out of box-Experience was ported to NT-based systems beginning with Windows XP build 2223. In this build, it has Windows Me branding due to being copied from a Windows Me Beta 3 build without any modification. It also does not close after the final page, its process must be killed to get out. The OOBE starts after an upgrade starting with build 2267. A mouse tutorial was introduced in build 2276. Merlin was ported with build 2250 and was then absent until build 2410. Also with this build, Windows Product Activation has been implemented into  and can be invoked with the /a switch. It's design got overhauled with an Luna-esque design in Windows XP build 2416. Also beginning with this build, it starts after a clean install. The final appereance was seen in build 2469 for the first time. In the sane build, Merlin got replaced with the Microsoft Agent character "Question Mark". The famous sound played during OOBE,, also referred as the "Windows Welcome Music" was implemented with build 2481 and was replaced with "No Hay Problema" in Windows Server 2003 build 3615. The OOBE there however is non-functional.

Windows Vista (Longhorn) and Windows 7
With the introduction of WIM-based Setup in Windows Longhorn build 4001 the OOBE also got a major refresh. It no longer does feature background music as well as MS Agent characters and was branded as Windows Setup.

Steps in OOBE (steps based from Windows 11 build 21996)

 * 1) Choose country/reigon.
 * 2) Select keyboard layout.
 * 3) Add a second keyboard layout (OPTIONAL)
 * 4) Check for updates.
 * 5) Choose how to setup the device, either for personal or work/school.
 * 6) Sign in with Microsoft account (Optional only for personal use, required for work/school use).
 * 7) Create a local account (Second option for personal use).
 * 8) Set up a Windows Hello PIN (Step shown if you sign into a Microsoft account).
 * 9) Choose to restore files from OneDrive or setup as a new system (Step shown if you sign into a Microsoft account).
 * 10) Choose privacy settings for device.
 * 11) Choose ways you plan to use device to get suggestions for tips, tricks and services.