I do not think that it is a registry thing as it also happens only once with portable installations.
In a way this reminds me of the splash screen debate:
and I quite like to be informed what has changed with a new version.
I just participated in a thread where some vital information did not get noticed because apparently the OP did not take the information about the new version seriously:
And so it took him several months to notice that the feature had been implemented for some time.
So I would say: a quick glance at the new features is quite useful.