A surfing game was reported during Windows 11 setup on a Surface Laptop Studio 2 in 2023, but that sighting does not prove Microsoft borrowed the idea from Windows Utopia—or that the game appears on every PC. The resemblance is real; a direct influence has not been established.
What game appeared during Windows 11 setup?
In an October 3, 2023 report, BetaNews said Tom Warren encountered Microsoft Edge’s Surf game while unboxing a Surface Laptop Studio 2. The report associated the game prompt with setup situations in which updates were still outstanding or the user was restoring settings through Windows Backup. BetaNews’s report did not establish that the Surface Laptop Studio 2 was required, or that the game was available in Windows 11 setup generally.
Surf is a lightweight browser game, not a full version of Windows Utopia. The reported setup experience offered something to play during a wait; it did not let users freely browse or run ordinary applications while Windows installed.
What is Windows Utopia?
Windows Utopia is an unofficial Windows concept created by designer AR 4789. In the concept video, users can carry out activities such as browsing and playing games while the operating system installs and configures itself in the background. It presents a broader vision for making installation usable rather than a specific built-in Windows feature. The Windows Utopia concept video illustrates that idea.
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| Experience | Purpose | Context | What the evidence establishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Utopia | Imagine users doing general tasks during background installation | Unofficial concept video by AR 4789 | A designed concept, not a standard Windows release |
| Edge Surf in setup | Offer a small game during a setup wait | Reported on one Surface Laptop Studio 2 in 2023 | A secondary report of an observed device; broad availability was not established |
Did Microsoft borrow the idea from Windows Utopia?
There is no confirmation in the cited reporting that Microsoft took inspiration from AR 4789’s concept. BetaNews noted the similarity but also allowed that it could be coincidental. The report establishes a visual and functional parallel—an activity during setup—not a causal link. Calling it a borrowing is therefore speculation, not a confirmed account of how the feature was developed.
Is the Surf game a standard Windows 11 setup feature?
Windows setup, known as the out-of-box experience (OOBE), is the sequence of first-run screens people see when they turn on a Windows 11 PC for the first time. Microsoft Learn says the flow can include connecting to a network, downloading critical updates and drivers, setting up an account, choosing privacy settings, and personalizing the device. The pages shown and their order can vary by configuration; Microsoft’s documentation does not identify Edge Surf as a standard OOBE screen. See Microsoft Learn’s OOBE customization documentation.
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That means the 2023 report should be read as a device-specific observation, not proof that every new Windows 11 PC offers Surf. A February 7, 2026 Windows Central report described a Copilot “try now” option during updates in some OOBE flows and referred to Edge Surf as something users had previously been able to play during that update phase. This suggests interactive experiences have appeared in some setup waits over time, but does not establish universal availability of either Surf or Copilot. Windows Central’s 2026 report discusses the reported Copilot prompt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the setup game the same as Windows 11 device-usage personalization?
No. Windows 11 may separately ask how someone plans to use a device and use those choices to tailor recommendations, such as gaming-related suggestions or entertainment app recommendations. Microsoft Support says users can change those choices later in Settings. This personalization flow is distinct from the reported Surf game and does not establish when or where Surf appears. See Microsoft Support’s guidance on Windows device-usage settings.
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