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For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features. Certain features require specific hardware. System requirements to run some apps will exceed the Windows 11 minimum device specifications.
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How-to
If you don't like having a Microsoft account on Windows 11, here's how to get around the problem.
Yes, you can set up your new Windows 11 installation without a Microsoft account, and in this guide, I'll show you the steps to complete this process. Microsoft really wants you to use a Microsoft account when setting up your computer since it offers additional benefits, including better integration with cloud services (such as OneDrive and Microsoft 365 apps), content synchronization between computers, and better security.
Although there are additional benefits to using an online account, many users still prefer the more traditional experience with a local account. The issue is that the company is making it harder to set up the operating system without a Microsoft account. In the past, you had the option to skip the Microsoft account, but it was later removed from the Home edition and later on from the Pro edition.
However, whether you're installing the Home or Pro edition of Windows 11, you have a few workarounds (via Reddit) to set up an installation with a local account instead of an online account.
In this how-to guide, I'll walk you through the different ways to set up a new installation of Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
If you have to set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account, you must proceed with the traditional setup and use one of the available solutions in the out-of-box experience (OOBE).
These instructions guide you through the clean installation process. If you are setting up a new laptop or desktop pre-installed with Windows 11, you can skip these steps and continue with the "Method 1" or "Method 2" solutions.
Warning: This process will delete everything on the computer. As a result, it's a good idea to back up your Windows 11 computer.
To start a fresh installation of Windows 11, use these steps:
•Start the PC with Windows 11 USB flash drive.
•Quick note: You can use these clean installation instructions for Windows 11 if you cannot start the computer from the USB bootable drive. If you use the same Rufus tool as downloading Windows 11 onto a USB flash drive, note that during the USB creation process, the tool will give you the option to remove the Microsoft account requirements, so you don't have to use any workaround.
•On the prompt, press any key to boot from the device.
To set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account disabling the internet requirements, use these steps:
•Use the "Shift + F10" keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt on the Windows 11 setup.
•Type the following command to disable the internet connection requirement to set up Windows 11 and press Enter: oobe\bypassnro
•Quick note: The command doesn't have any spaces. Also, the computer will restart at this moment.
•Use the "Shift + F10" keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt on the Windows 11 setup.
•Type the following command to drop the network connection and press Enter: ipconfig /release
Alternatively, you can type a local account and password in the "Let's add your Microsoft account" page instead of a Microsoft account. When you do this, the "Oops, something went wrong" error will appear, and the system will fall back to the local account creation interface, whether you are using Windows 11 Home or Pro.
To set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account by typing a local account, use these steps:
•Select your region.
•Click the Next button.
•Select your keyboard layout setting.
•Click the Yes button.
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
•Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
•Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
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Jul 24, 2024 · Windows 11 normally requires a Microsoft account when you set it up, but you can bypass Microsoft account creation and use a local account instead. Here's how to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account or convert an existing Microsoft account to a local account.
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Jul 8, 2021 · When installing Windows 11 Home on a new PC, Microsoft's website states you'll need to have an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete the setup. There won't be an option for a local account. Here's how it will work.
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