Microsoft continues its push towards making its Windows 11 operating system a driver for subscription-based sales. The company launched a new SCOOBE screen (Second Chance Out of Box Experience) in the latest Windows 11 development builds that is nagging users when their Microsoft 365 subscription expired.
A fullscreen page may be displayed when the Microsoft 365 subscription needs attention writes Microsoft in the release notes of the update. The screen may be displayed when the payment did not go through, according to Microsoft. That is just one example, and others may include nudging users into renewing a subscription if they have paused payments or even cancelled the subscription.
Microsoft writes: "In just a few clicks, you can review and update your payment method and keep your subscription benefits uninterrupted."
The new screen is part of another "experience" that Microsoft baked into its Windows 11 operating system. Users may be aware of the Out of box experience already, which Windows 11 displays on the first start after installation or turning on a PC with Windows 11 for the first time.
This second experience also launches after the operating system is started. It may show different information or calls to action to the user. All have in common that they show up after starting the system in fullscreen and before the actual desktop is displayed. In other words, users have to react to the message before they may even get to the desktop and start using their system.
The new Microsoft 365 subscription screen shows usage information. It lists the amount of data that the user has stored in the cloud and the number of users a family account was shared with. The screen displays highlights next to that, including the number of devices the subscription can be used on and which premium apps may be accessed. Clearly, the message is useful to some, especially if cloud data exceeds the free quota, but it can also be seen as a subtle reminder that others may be impacted, if the subscription is not renewed.
Closing Words
While information like this can be useful to users, for instance when a payment failed without the user realizing it, it has all the traits of a feature that is going to annoy some users also, especially if Micrsoft uses it as a way to lure users who cancelled their subscription back in.
Microsoft does not say how often the screen is displayed to users. Just once? Or regularly, until the subscription is renewed? Only time will tell, but judging from past experiences, it is likely that users will see the nag screens multiple times a year.
Now You: what is your take on this? Good move by Microsoft and a friendly reminder, or an attempt to make the life of ex-subscribers miserable?
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