Install Windows 11 Seamlessly Without Creating an Account Using This New Trick

Are you tired of Microsoft mandating an online account just to set up your Windows 11 PC? If you prefer to keep your data offline, I’ve got your back! Here’s a comprehensive guide to seamlessly bypass the Microsoft account requirement during installation, allowing you to create a local account instead.

Utilize Command Prompt to Create a Local Account Effortlessly

Since February 2023, Microsoft has urged users to link or create an online account upon installing Windows 11, which can be frustrating. Fortunately, there’s a quick fix! A tip from an insightful X user @witherornot1337 can help you set up your PC with a local account.

Once you reach the screen requesting your country or region during the installation, hit Shift + F10 to open the command prompt. Here, simply type start ms-cxh:localonly. This command will redirect you to a window where you can enter your desired username and password without any connection to Microsoft’s online services. After you complete this step, click Next, and voilà! You now have an offline experience with Windows 11. This straightforward method may save you a significant amount of hassle!

While it is crucial to remember that opting for this local account means you may miss out on certain Microsoft Account benefits, your privacy may be worth the trade-off. Given the increasing popularity of this workaround, there’s a chance that Microsoft may soon adjust their policies to close this loophole. If and when that happens, don’t worry—there’s another reliable method to keep Microsoft at bay.

Edit the Registry to Bypass Microsoft Account Login

If the previous command doesn’t yield the expected results, you can take a more detailed approach by tweaking the Registry Editor—a solution shared by @xpower7125 on X. After reaching the Microsoft Account screen post-installation, press Shift + F10 again and type regedit to access the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE. Find the HideOnlineAccountScreens key and set the Value data to 1. This step will effectively hide the Microsoft account login page during the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) setup, letting you create a local account right off the bat.

Although this method is primarily intended for enterprise users to keep their employees’ emails separate from their Windows usage, home and pro users can also utilize it—if you have the technical know-how! For detailed instructions, you can refer to the information provided on the Windows Hardware Developer support page.

By following these expert techniques, you can take control of your Windows 11 setup and maintain your privacy without feeling pressured into using online accounts. For more resources, visit our recommended source here.