Windows 11 Pro – 60s “Please wait” before login screen after domain join (fixed in Dev Insider build?)
Posted by Similar-Ferret4074@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 7 comments
We’re seeing a strange and inconsistent issue with Windows 11 Pro after Active Directory domain join, and I’m curious if anyone else has encountered this.
Symptoms
- After domain join, affected machines hang at “Please wait” for \~60 seconds before the login screen appears
- This happens prior to the credential provider / sign‑in UI
- Occurs on every boot
- If the machine is removed from the domain, the delay disappears immediately
- Not all machines are affected — even identical hardware can behave differently
Scope / What it’s NOT
- Hardware independent:
- Intel & AMD CPUs
- Lenovo & HP
- Domain independent:
- Happens across multiple customer AD domains
- Installation method independent:
- MDT deployment
- Clean install via Windows Media Creation Tool
- Windows Update state doesn’t matter (with or without updates)
OS Details
- Windows 11 Pro
- Issue appears only after domain join
- Other Windows editions not yet tested
Troubleshooting Performed
- Updated MDT image (older Feb Win11 → freshly downloaded image late April) → no change
sfc /scannowdism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealthscanhealth,restorehealth- No immediate improvement from DISM/SFC alone
- Event log doesn't show anything usefull
Windows Insider Testing (Key Finding)
- Release Preview – 26220.8340 ❌ still broken
- Beta Channel – 26200.8328 ❌ still broken
- Dev Channel – 26300.8346 ✅ issue resolved
Questions
- Anyone else seeing pre‑login “Please wait” delays on domain‑joined Win11?
- Any related KBs or MS cases?
jono_white@reddit
Probably need a bit more info, what's the DC (2025?) ,
Could be DNS issues,
Could be policies, even if not in a group the default policy will apply usually unless it's scope's been altered
gpresult /R to confirm what policies are running on the system
if on wifi might be worth adding the "Always wait for network policy", and the "Specify startup policy processing wait time"
dvr75@reddit
try this simple test: remove the user + computer account from any group policy and mdm policy , does it help?
Similar-Ferret4074@reddit (OP)
The computer isn't added to any groups, and it also happens if you log on the computer with the local Administrator account.
If you join the computer to a domain and you reboot the computer, it starts right away.
The issue is there even if you aren't connected via lan/wifi to the domain.
dvr75@reddit
just make a new ou , block inheritance.
1. computer account may still process gp.
2. group policy are cached on the local computer , not matter if your offline or not.
also i would check dns , dhcp issues.
Matt_NZ@reddit
Yeah, this sounds a lot like a Group Policy issue.
BrechtMo@reddit
When did the issue start?
Similar-Ferret4074@reddit (OP)
We started to see the issue earlier this year. My best guess is around january