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Microsoft has made it really difficult to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. Setting up Windows 11 with a local account is a frustrating experience for many, as there is seemingly no longer an option to skip the Microsoft account sign-in or creation of a new account to set up a local account instead. Good news is that there are still options available, but they are well hidden, as Microsoft has the clear intention to promote Microsoft accounts. For users, Microsoft accounts have advantages, but also disadvantages. Advantages include getting a bit of free OneDrive storage, synchronization of data between devices, extra security and also the ability to use Microsoft apps and services that require an account. The main downside, for most, is privacy. Microsoft does not really know anything about local accounts, but a Microsoft account gives the company a much clearer picture, and data, about its customers. Windows 11 users have a few options at their disposal to skip the Microsoft account creation or sign-in during installation of the operating system. Indeed, we have talked about Microsoft account bypass options during Windows 11 setup already here on this site, and also mentioned that the free software Rufus comes with such capabilities. Some of our readers wanted more options, which is why we have created this guide. Note that you may switch to a local account after the setup experience in the account section of the Settings application. All three methods listed below have been tested with the most recent Windows 11 version 22H2 ISO image provided by Microsoft. Please note that Microsoft may make changes in the future that render one or even all of these options useless. Please let us know in the comments if you run into issues, so that we may investigate these and update the guide accordingly. Setting up Windows 11 with a local account All of the options below allow users to bypass Microsoft account creation or sign-in during the out-of-box experience. This is a wizard that walks users through the final steps of setup, after the operating system files have been copied to the disk already. Most PCs that come with Windows 11 pre-installed start at this stage. The first few steps of the out-of-box experience are always the same. Here they are: Step 1: Select the country or region. Step 2: Confirm or select the keyboard layout or input method. Step 3: Check for updates runs automatically Step 4: Name the device. This step is optional. Step 5: Select if the device is a personal use device or should be set up for work or school. The next screen prompts users to sign-in to using a Microsoft Account. It is called "unlock your Microsoft experience" and features a sign-in button only. Bypassing the Microsoft Account setup on Windows 11 Pick one of the following options to skip the Microsoft Account and create a local account during setup instead. Best Option: email address bypasses Certain email addresses force the out of box experience to skip the creation of a Microsoft account. All that is required for that is to type one of these email addresses into the Microsoft account field during setup. Step 1: Select Sign In. Step 2: Use one of the following email addresses (note that Microsoft may remove this option at one point): [email protected], any password [email protected], password test [email protected], password test Select Next once done. Step 3: Type any password and select Sign In. Step 4: Windows 11 displays an Oops, something went wrong page. Select Next. Step 5: You may now create a local account. Select the local account username and then Next. Step 6: Type the local password. Note that it is optional. Select Next to complete the account creation process. The local account has been created, and there are a few additional things that need to be set up before Windows 11 loads the desktop for the first time. The following options may work as well, but they are not advised, if the above option still works. Option: Kill the Internet from the command line Disabling the Internet connection temporarily during setup is another option. It works like the physical disruption of the Internet connection, but is more comfortable in many cases. Step 1: at the sign-in to a Microsoft account stage, press Shift-F10 to open a command prompt window. Step 2: Type ipconfig /release and activate the Enter-key. This marks the client's IP address as available. In other words: the PC is no longer connected to the Internet. Step 3: Close the command prompt window and activate the back button. Step 4: It is now possible to create a local account. Closing Words Microsoft has a vetted interest to get as many of its customers on Microsoft accounts as possible. It binds customers and gives Microsoft additional data on how computers and products are used. Now You: have you tried any of the bypasses mentioned above? How to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

Every few years, Microsoft is making it more difficult to create a local account during setup of the Windows operating system. The company announced in February 2022 that new setups and first runs of Pro versions of Windows 11 would require a Microsoft account. It did not take long for workarounds to become available, but many users may be unaware of these bypass options. Some users may prefer Microsoft accounts, as they offer some advantages, including data syncing through the OneDrive service, remote password restoration options, and other features. Others may prefer local accounts as they reveal less to Microsoft account and are not attackable if the device is not turned on. Computer techs may also need to setup accounts for customers, who may not be available or able to provide a Microsoft account. How to avoid using Microsoft accounts in Windows 11 There are several methods to bypass the Microsoft account requirement during setup on Windows devices. I described one option in How to use local accounts on Windows 11 version 22H2 devices. While written for that specific version, the described method works in other versions of Windows 11 as well. To describe it in a sentence, it is creating a Microsoft account during setup and creating a local account after setup ended. It is not elegant and requires that an email address is used initially for the account creation. The following two methods do not require a Microsoft account at all. Bypass 1: OOBE\BYPASSNRO This bypass is the easiest option right now, as it requires just a few steps during setup to skip the Microsoft account creation. Here is how it works: Disable the Internet connection before starting setup, e.g., by disconnecting the LAN cable or disabling Wi-Fi. Windows will display a "Let's connect you to a network" or similar screen. The upcoming Windows 11 version 22H2 does not allow you to skip this anymore to create a local account. On the screen, use Shift-F10 to open a command prompt window. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and hit the Enter-key. Windows will reboot and return to the "Let's connect you to a network" screen. Only this time, you may select "I don't have Internet" to skip this. Then you select "Continue with limited setup" to then create a local account during setup. Bypass 2: Use a banned email address Microsoft has banned email addresses that were used too often in the account creation process. You may use this to your advantage, as it allows you to skip the Microsoft account creation or sign-in phase during setup. Here is how this method works (thanks Neowin ) Select Sign-In when asked to create or sign-in to a Microsoft account during setup. Use the email address [email protected]. Type any password on the next screen. Windows will display "Oops, something went wrong" on the next screen. Clicking Next opens a screen that allows you to create a local account. You can assign a password to the account, or leave it empty. Closing Words There is a chance that Microsoft is removing the bypass options in future versions of Windows. New bypasses may be found, which we will add to this guide. For now, users have several options to skip using a Microsoft account during setup. Now You: local or Microsoft account, what is your preference? How to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement during Windows setup

Microsoft announced that it would extend the Windows 11 Home requirement of a Microsoft Account and Internet connection during setup to Windows 11 Pro in early 2022. The upcoming Windows 11 version 22H2 will enforce the requirement for all devices on which Pro is installed on. The change won't affect existing devices that are upgraded to the new version. These will work as before when local accounts are used, and even if no Microsoft Account exists. Windows customers who install Windows 11 Pro from scratch on a device, and customers who bought a device with Windows 11, will need a Microsoft Account to complete the initial setup. There have been workarounds in the past to bypass the requirement. One involved disconnecting the Internet connection during setup, another to run commands or kill specific tasks. It is unclear whether any of these will continue to work, as Microsoft has clamped down on these bypasses in recent builds. Most Windows customers may have no objections when it comes to the requirement. Using a Microsoft Account has advantages, including that the license is attached to the account, that syncing of data may be used between devices, and that account access may be restored even without access to one of a user's devices. Microsoft has been criticized for the move. Installation can't be completed anymore without Internet connection, which means that it will become a frustrating experience in certain environments. Others have objected to the change because they want to use local accounts, for instance, for privacy reasons. Microsoft made it more difficult to create local accounts in its Windows 10 operating system in 2019. Back then, it was possible to disconnect the Internet connection to get the local account setup option. Create a local account after Windows 11 Setup While Microsoft has tightened the screws during setup, the company has not limited the use of local accounts after setup, yet. One of the better options for Windows users who want to use local accounts is to complete the setup using the Microsoft Account, create a local account with administrative privileges on first run, and delete the Microsoft Account. Tip: You may achieve the same with two commands from an elevated command prompt using the "net" command. net user /add martin secretpassword net localgroup administrators martin /add The first command creates the user martin with the password secretpassword. The second command adds the user martin to the group of administrators. This is done in the following way on Windows 11 devices: Step 1: Select Start and then Settings, or use the Windows-I shortcut to open the Settings. Step 2: Go to Accounts. Select Other users on the page that opens. Step 3: Activate the "add account" button next to "add other user". Step 4: Select "I don't have this person's sign-in information". Step 5: Select "Add a user without a Microsoft account". Step 6: Type the username and select a password. Use of a password is optional. Select Next to complete the process. Step 7: Expand the new user on the Other Users page and activate "change account type". Step 8: Switch it from the "Standard User" account type to "administrator", and select ok. You may now sign-in with the new user account using the selected username and password. Once done, you may delete the Microsoft Account or ignore it. Closing Words The focus on Microsoft Accounts gives Microsoft more control over the userbase. The company has no control over local accounts, but it has lots of power over Microsoft Accounts. It gets information about Microsoft Account users, e.g., the email address that has been used, but often also other information that users provide to Microsoft. Now You: do you use local or Microsoft accounts on your Windows machines? How to use local accounts on Windows 11 version 22H2 devices

Microsoft had recently published a guide on how users can switch from a Local account to a Microsoft account on their Windows PC on its official website. After posting the guide though, the company also updated it to then include a separate section for migrating from a Microsoft Account to a Local account. While Microsoft had, for some reason removed that portion, the company has backtracked and restored it perhaps due to the backlash. While the restored walkthrough mostly remains in its original state, the company has made one change to the section. It has now added a small portion talking about Local account recovery using a password reset disk. Microsoft has also published a new page on its website about password reset disks and how to set one up. The tech giant writes: You can view the page here on Microsoft's official website. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of June): 2,839 news posts

Microsoft, last month, quietly published several guides as well as system requirements on its official website. These included ones for Wi-Fi 7, printer support, and AutoSR. (It also publicly revealed a new security feature dubbed VBS Enclaves alongside its requirements.) On the other hand, the guides include how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). On the topic of MSA, Microsoft recently published a guide on how users can switch from a Local account to a Microsoft account on their Windows PC. After posting the guide though, the company also updated it to then include a separate section for migrating from a Microsoft Account to a Local account. Microsoft posted the guide despite clearly not liking it as it explained in a portion of the article why it still "recommends a Microsoft Account" over a local one. It wrote: However, sometime later, we noticed that this portion and the entire section which contained the guide for switching from an MSA to a Local account had been deleted. Perhaps as a result of the backlash, Microsoft has quietly restored the section back. While it is mostly the same, a new section about recovery using a password reset disk has been added. You can find the guide on this page here on Microsoft's official website. Aside from this, Microsoft has also published a new guide on how users can reset their MSA as well as local account passwords. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of June): 2,839 news posts

But most Microsoft account sign-in workarounds for Windows 11 continue to work. One of Windows 11's more contentious changes is that, by default, both the Home and Pro editions of the operating system require users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. Signing in with an account does get you some benefits, at least if you're a regular user of other Microsoft products like OneDrive, GamePass, or Microsoft 365 (aka Office). But if you don't use those services, a lot of what a Microsoft account gets you in Windows 11 is repeated ads and reminders about signing up for those services. Using Windows with a traditional local account is still extremely possible, but it does require a small amount of know-how beyond just clicking the right buttons. On the know-how front, Microsoft has taken one more minor, but nevertheless irritating, step away from allowing users to sign in with local accounts. This official Microsoft support page walks users with local accounts through the process of signing in to a Microsoft account. As recently as June 12, that page also included instructions for converting a Microsoft account into a local account. But according to Tom's Hardware and the Internet Wayback Machine, those instructions disappeared on or around June 17 and haven't been seen since. Despite the documentation change, most of the workarounds for creating a local account still work in both Windows 11 23H2 (the publicly available version of Windows 11 for most PCs) and 24H2 (available now on Copilot+ PCs, later this fall for everyone else). The easiest way to do it on a PC you just took out of the box is to press Shift+F10 during the setup process to bring up a command prompt window, typing OOBE\BYPASSNRO, rebooting, and then clicking the "I don't have Internet" button when asked to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Other workarounds include using the Rufus tool to create a USB installer that will automatically bypass the Microsoft account sign-in requirement, or (for Windows 11 Pro users) indicating that you want to join the PC to a corporate domain and then not actually joining it to a domain. Setting the PC up with a Microsoft account and then signing out afterward is also still an option. There is one workaround that has allegedly stopped working—it used to be that trying to "sign in" with a nonexistent email account would get you a local sign-in option. But as of earlier this month, according to Windows Central editor Zac Bowden, it looks like the Windows 11 setup screen will just ask you to try another email address instead. To be fair to Microsoft, all the big tech companies want you to sign in with an account before you can use all the features of the software, but neither Apple nor Google goes as far as to mandate account sign-in to access basic functionality. Macs, iPhones, and iPads will all let you complete the setup process without signing in, though you do have to know which buttons to click. Google will allow you to use Chromebooks in guest mode, and Android phones and tablets are still usable without signing in (though this does make it more difficult to find and install apps). Microsoft's pushiness remains unique; there's definitely a difference between a company that would really prefer that you sign in and one that forces you to. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Microsoft, this month, quietly published quite a few guides as well as requirements on its official website. The most recent ones have been about Wi-Fi 7 and printer support. On the other hand, the guides include ones on how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). Speaking of MSA, Microsoft recently published a guide on how users can switch from a Local account to a Microsoft account on their Windows PC. After posting the guide though, the company also updated it to then include a separate section for migrating from a Microsoft Account to a Local account. Microsoft published the guide despite clearly not liking it as it explained in a portion of the article why it still "recommends a Microsoft Account" over a local one. It wrote: However, since then, this portion and the entire section which contained the guide for switching from an MSA to a Local account has been removed entirely. If you are wondering, here is what Microsoft had posted: At the moment it is unclear if the previous version of this support page will back up again in the case Microsoft is making some changes to the guide. However, it would seem unusual as the guide itself is simple and comprehensive. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Microsoft has been quietly publishing quite a few guides on its official website lately. These include ones on how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). Speaking of MSA, the company also published another page that guides users on how to switch from a Local to a Microsoft Account. However, since that last update, the company has added a new section that describes the opposite—switching from a Microsoft Account (MSA) to a local one. Despite this, Microsoft says that it still recommends an MSA over a local account with a separate section that has since been added to this page. In the new section, it explains the differences between the two and the benefits an MSA has over a local account. Microsoft writes: Microsoft's official guide about switching from an MSA to a local account is given below: You can view the support page here on Microsoft's official website. Aside from these guides, the company has also published a couple of support pages related to the requirements of certain Windows 11 AI features. These include one for the Paint Cocreator and another for AutoSR. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts