How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account (2025 Guide)

Have you ever tried to install Windows 11 and encountered some annoying problems with your Microsoft account? You are not alone. Since the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has been encouraging users to open and activate a Microsoft account when using them. But what if you want to keep everything in place?

Whether for privacy, Setting up a computer for someone else Or just for personal preference There are other ways. There are many ways to avoid this obligation. This guide will help you how to start from May 2025 so that you can install Windows 11 to your liking.

Table of Contents

Why would you need a local account instead?

Before we learn how to use it, let’s first look at why you might need a local account:

Privacy – Local accounts allow you to maintain your personal information and limit what Microsoft collects about you.
Installing a computer for someone else – If you are installing a computer for a child, a friend or for sale, your local account prevents you from accessing Microsoft data.
What Businesses Need – Web companies often need multiple machines without connecting them to each Microsoft account.
Virtual Devices – You probably prefer the traditional Windows operating system without the cloud.

How to Find Your Way (Quick and Simple)

The new technology was updated in early 2025 and still works even though Microsoft has banned other known technologies:

Install Windows 11 as usual.
When you reach the “Connect to Network” screen, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt.
At this point, type ms-cxh:localonly start and press Enter.
This will open a Window where you can create a new user account locally instead of a Microsoft account.

The advantages of this method are that it is simple, fast and works with newer versions of Windows 11, such as 24H2.

The Four Commandments Solution (For Professionals)

If you’re comfortable with command lines, this approach gives you more control:

Press Shift+F10 during setup to open Command Prompt
Enter these commands in sequence: net.exe user yourusername /add net.exe localgroup administrators yourusername /add cd oobe msoobe && shutdown -r
Replace “yourusername” with whatever username you want

This method creates a local administrator account without needing third-party tools and works well with Windows 11 24H2.

The Internet Disconnection Method (The Simple Approach)

Sometimes the simplest tricks work best:

During Windows 11 setup, physically disconnect your PC from the internet (unplug Ethernet or turn off Wi-Fi)
This forces Windows to offer a local account option since it can’t verify a Microsoft account
Complete setup with your local account
Reconnect to the internet after setup is finished

While not fancy, this approach still works for many users and requires zero technical skills.

Windows 11 Pro: The Business Advantage

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro (not Home), you have an additional option built right in:

During setup, select “Set up for work or school”
Choose “Domain join instead” to create and continue with a local account

This method is officially supported by Microsoft for business environments, making it the most future-proof option if you have the Pro version.

Custom Installation Media Method (The Preparation Route)

Planning ahead? This method lets you create installation media that automatically bypasses the Microsoft account requirement:

Download and install the Rufus tool
Use Rufus to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive
When configuring Rufus, select the option to bypass Microsoft account requirements
Install Windows 11 using this custom media

This approach requires more upfront work but makes the actual installation process smoother.

Microsoft’s Evolving Approach to Local Accounts

Microsoft hasn’t been subtle about wanting everyone on Microsoft accounts. In March 2025, they removed the well-known “bypassnro” command from Windows 11 Insider Preview builds.

They justified this as an effort to “enhance security and user experience,” claiming it would ensure “all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.” This change first appeared in beta builds and is expected in production versions soon.

Despite removing direct bypass methods, users found registry workarounds like:

reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1

However, there’s no guarantee Microsoft will allow these workarounds in future updates. It’s a classic cat-and-mouse game where Microsoft blocks bypasses and users find new ones.

However, Microsoft will no doubt remove this feature in future updates. This is an old tiger game with this year and Microsoft blocks shortcuts and users find new ones there.

Challenges Facing Local Account Users

As Microsoft tightens its rules, fans of the Insider account face additional challenges:

Complex Requirements – Any Windows change compounds Microsoft accounts.
Increased Difficulty – With the exception of easy shortcuts, the remaining solutions become tactical.
Data Privacy Concerns – Users who want to limit data sharing with Microsoft face difficult challenges

Why is this approach important?

Understanding why people need internal auditing helps show why it’s worth keeping this product:

Data Storage and Monitoring – Many businesses decide to keep their computing operations offsite using the Microsoft cloud.
Practical setup scenario – setting up a computer for someone else without sharing your account information.
Business needs – Services often use domain accounts rather than Microsoft accounts.
Optional – Some users are only interested in traditional Windows.

Future-Proofing Your Local Account Strategy

Since Microsoft is constantly changing the most common areas, check out this method:

Keep up to date – The Windows team is researching and sharing new technologies. Moving forward while old technologies are locked in.
Think Windows 11 Pro – Pro is still more flexible than Home.
Explore advanced options – for technical users Configuring unsupervised objects with a custom XML file is a constant option.
Have a backup plan – if Microsoft removes the local account option entirely, it may be worth considering a different operating system such as Linux.

Final recommendations

Installing Windows 11 without a Microsoft account still requires several steps. As of May 2025, despite Microsoft’s best efforts to smooth that area out, the only viable option is to require a Microsoft account for access to all computers. Cover safety and user experience benefits

For investors who prioritize local accounts, staying updated and exploring alternatives can be invaluable. If that changes, Windows users will probably develop and share new technologies. To continue using a location account .

Have you ever tried any of these methods? Which method is best for you? Share your columns in the comments below!