In a previous post, we walked you through how to remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11. In it, we incorrectly stated that you need a Microsoft account to set up Windows 11. The fact is you don’t.
Install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account
A keen-eyed reader, Octavio contacted OnMSFT to point out our mistake in the How-to section. Octavio offered some ways to get around setting up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
There is also a post on Reddit giving users several similar workarounds that work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Octavio pointed out that “you don’t need to enter a Microsoft account at all, not even when setting up Windows 11 for the first time.” These methods work on all versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10 except for Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode.
In this guide, we will walk you through 5 ways to set up Windows 11 without using a Microsoft account. Disclaimer: Microsoft might close off these workarounds in the future.
Option 1: Out of Box Experience (OOBE) network disconnect
The first workaround is using Command Prompt when you are setting up your PC for the first time. Also referred to as the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), this interface greets you when you reset a Windows PC or set up a new device for the first time.
There is an instructional video on YouTube if you need extra help. Here’s what you need to do.
1. At the Microsoft account login screen (“Let’s set things up for work or school”) in the OOBE, use Shift + F10 to open a command prompt window.
2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter to run the command.
3. Close the command prompt window when finished and click the back arrow to be taken to the previous screen in the OOBE.
4. Now you can create a local account and continue to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
It’s important to note that this option might not be possible if you are running a device in “S Mode.” However, you should still be able to create a local account using option 2 for devices that run in “S Mode.”
Option 2: Disconnect your physical connection to the internet
If you have an ethernet (wired) connection, you can unplug your ethernet cable to disconnect your network and set up a local account on Windows 11 instead. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Disconnect your network cable.
2. Click the back arrow.
3. Set up the name and password for the local account to proceed with the Windows 11 OOBE.
If you have a wireless connection, here are some recommendations:
1. Turn off the router in your home to disconnect the internet for a moment. Click the back arrow to set up a local account.
2. If you have a laptop, there may have a dedicated key to use on the keyboard to disconnect and reconnect to wireless networks.
3. If you use a USB dongle, disconnect it from your computer.
4. Turn on “Airplane Mode” if there is an option available on your device.
If you cannot disable your wireless connection, then use Option 1 in this guide.
Option 3: Use oobe\bypassnro (Windows 11 Home only)
For Windows 10 Home users only, do the following:
1. At the (“Let’s connect you to a network”) in the OOBE, use Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt window.
2. Type oobe\bypassnro and press Enter.
3. Your PC will reboot automatically. You may need to start the OOBE experience all over again.
4. Now, you can set up a local account instead of a Microsoft account.
Typing this command will change a configuration in OOBE so that internet is optional to setup Windows 11. Without internet access, the account creation page will let you make a local account.
Option 4: Use netplwiz or control userpasswords2
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, and you are an administrator, you can create a local account to use instead of a Microsoft one. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Use the Windows key + R to open the Run menu.
2. Type netplwiz or control userpasswords2 in the Open text box and click OK.
From here, you can add, remove, and configure accounts that are located on the PC.
With the User Accounts menu open, do the following to add a local account:
1. Click Add to add a new account.
2. In the “How will this person sign in?” page, click Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).
3. Click Local account.
4. Fill in the username, password, and password hint for your local account and click Next.
5. Click Finish to complete the local account setup.
Once your local account is set up, you can change the local account settings you just created to be an administrator. You can also change or remove the other accounts on the PC. User Accounts Control To be taken to the user properties in User Accounts, do the following:
1. Use the Windows key + R to open the Run menu.
2. Type netplwiz or control userpasswords2 in the Open text box and click OK.
3. In the User Accounts menu, pick the account name you want to change and click Properties.
4. Click the Group Membership tab, change your account to Administrator click Apply and then OK to close the menu.
5. Click OK again to close the User Accounts menu.
6. Once you make the changes to your local account, Windows will prompt you to sign out and sign in again. Click Yes to complete the changes you made to your local account.
You can complete this process to change the designation (Standard user, Administrator, or Other) for other local and Microsoft accounts.
Other Options?
Using the Reddit post for guidance, I was unable to get 3rd option to work using “pre-existing fake Microsoft accounts” to force the creation of a local account. If we are missing something from this list, be sure to reach out to us on Twitter or contact us directly through our website. Otherwise, let us know in the comments!
