How to Enable or Disable the First Sign-in Animation in Windows 11. Windows 11's first sign-in animation looks friendly, with messages like “Hi” and “We're setting things up for you.” These screens add polish to the experience. Let's walk through how to turn this animation on or off using different tools, and how to manage it across individual devices and enterprise environments. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT video hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Why the First Sign-In Animation Matters. First, let's talk about why this feature exists. The first sign-in animation appears after a fresh install or a major update. It helps users understand that Windows is preparing the desktop and applying settings. In many organizations, every second during onboarding or provisioning counts. Some teams prefer to disable the animation so users can reach the desktop faster and devices become usable sooner. Other teams keep it enabled to provide a clearer, less confusing experience for non-technical users. Next, you want a consistent policy that aligns with your internal standards and user expectations. That is where the different management methods come in. How To Turn It On Or Off. Now, let's look at the main ways to control the animation. For individual devices, the Registry Editor offers a straightforward option. In HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\System and HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon, create or edit the EnableFirstLogonAnimation DWORD. Set it to 1 to enable the animation or 0 to disable it, then restart. For automation, Command Prompt and PowerShell let you push the same setting at scale. You can use reg add commands in scripts or startup policies, or use PowerShell's Set-ItemProperty cmdlet to integrate the change into broader automation workflows. Meanwhile, Group Policy provides a policy-driven option. Under Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Logon, configure “Show first sign-in animation” to Enabled, Disabled, or Not Configured, then apply it across your domain. Best Practices For Managing Sign-In Animation. For large deployments, Unattend.xml and REG files help standardize behavior during imaging and OOBE. You can add synchronous commands in Unattend.xml or distribute REG files that toggle the animation for different groups. Finally, always test changes in a pilot group, verify registry values, and use gpupdate /force if Group Policy settings are not applying correctly. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to enable or disable the first sign-in animation in Windows 11, linked in the description below.