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Guide on Installing and Accessing Windows 11 Without the Need for a Microsoft Account

Windows 11 enforces the need for users to have an existing account or create a new one upon installation.

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Guide for Installing and Accessing Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account Login
Guide for Installing and Accessing Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account Login

Guide on Installing and Accessing Windows 11 Without the Need for a Microsoft Account

In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Windows 11 with a local account, a workaround for builds beyond 26120 that require an online Microsoft account during setup.

Prerequisites

  1. Download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft's official website.
  2. Use Rufus version 4.4 or higher to create an install disk. Ensure your USB Flash drive is at least 8GB.
  3. Select the USB drive in Rufus, and toggle "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" to on. Click Start to begin the process. You will be warned that all data on the USB Flash drive will be erased; click OK to proceed.

Installing Windows 11 with a Local Account

  1. During the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE), when you reach the screen prompting for network connection, either disable your network connection or skip connecting.
  2. Press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt window during OOBE.
  3. In the command prompt, type the command: and press Enter. This command disables the requirement for an online Microsoft account by bypassing the network requirement.
  4. The system will restart and return you to the network connection screen, but this time it will allow you to proceed without connecting to the internet.
  5. Create a local user account offline without signing in with a Microsoft account.

Additional Tips

  • If you're on a laptop and the function keys require the Fn key, use Shift + Fn + F10 instead.
  • You can also completely unplug or disable your network adapter before starting the install to avoid being forced online.
  • After the system restart triggered by the OOBEBYPASSNRO command, the setup will allow local account creation.

This method has become the standard workaround for newer Windows 11 Insider builds and retail versions that enforce online Microsoft account sign-in, as Microsoft removed the option to create local accounts by default in those builds.

Reasons for Installing Windows 11 with a Local Account

Installing Windows 11 with a local account may be desirable for several reasons, including privacy concerns, installing on a child's PC, or preparing a PC for sale or donation.

Please note that on new preview builds of Windows, the OOBE/BYPASSNRO command no longer works, and a new command called start ms-cxh:localonly is used instead.

Continue with the installation, choosing the region, keyboard, and second keyboard option. Click "I don't have Internet" when prompted, and click "Continue with limited setup" if necessary. After completing these steps, you will have successfully installed Windows 11 with a local account.

Technology is essential for creating and using the install disk with Rufus version 4.4 or higher, a step required to install Windows 11 with a local account. This local account installation process also involves manipulating commands in a command prompt window, demonstrating the combined use of technology and understanding of command-line instructions.

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