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After installing or updating Windows 11, the computer displays the "Reboot to finish setup" message every time the system starts, even after multiple restarts.
A "Reboot to finish setup" notification appears after every reboot.
The system starts normally, but the notification continues to reappear.
Restarting the computer does not clear the message.
Cause
The issue can occur when a Windows setup or device configuration process does not complete successfully, leaving Windows waiting for a pending setup task to finish. This may also happen if Windows Update or a driver installation remains incomplete.
Troubleshooting Steps
Check Windows Update and Pending Restarts33
Click Start > Settings > Windows Update.
Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
If “Restart required” appears, select Restart now.
After restarting, return to Windows Update and confirm no pending updates remain.
Note: A pending Windows component update can repeatedly trigger setup completion messages.
Go back to Printers & scanners and select Add device to reinstall the printer.
Ensure the printer reconnects to the same network before reinstalling.
Reset the HP App
Click Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Locate the HP app and select Advanced options.
Click Repair. Restart the PC and test.
If the issue persists, return to Advanced options and click Reset.
Note: Resetting removes app preferences but does not affect printer functionality.
Clear Print Spooler and Temporary Setup Files
Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
Delete all files in this folder.
Return to Services, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.
Restart the PC after completing these steps.
Check Startup Apps and Background Tasks
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Select the Startup tab.
Disable any duplicate or unnecessary HP-related startup entries.
Restart the PC and verify if the message reappears.
These steps typically resolve repeated setup completion notifications on Windows 11.
Check Optional Driver Updates
Open Settings.
Navigate to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
Install any available driver updates.
Restart the computer.
Update HP Drivers and Firmware
Open HP Support Assistant.
Check for BIOS, chipset, and driver updates.
Install all recommended updates.
Restart the computer after installation.
Repair Windows System Files
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run: sfc /scannow
After the scan completes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart the computer after both commands complete.
Verify the Message No Longer Appears
Restart the computer two or three times.
Confirm that the "Reboot to finish setup" message no longer appears.
If the notification continues after completing all updates and repairs:
Perform a Windows repair using the Windows Update Recovery option (Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update), which reinstalls the current version of Windows while keeping your files and applications.
