Forum Discussion
MarciaFudge
Oct 21, 2025Iron Contributor
I want to install and setup windows 11 with a local account for 25H2
Hi everyone, I want to do a clean installation of Windows 11 on my new PC. I've been reading that the setup process force you to sign in with a Microsoft account. However, for privacy and simplicity...
Vivianie
Oct 21, 2025Iron Contributor
To setup Windows 11 with local account, follow these steps:
1. Disable online accounts during setup:
- Before proceeding with the setup, go to the BIOS settings of your PC and disable Secure Boot.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.
- Insert the Windows 11 installation media and boot from it.
- When the setup process starts, click on "Next" to proceed.
- Click on "I don't have a product key" and then click on "Next."
- Accept the terms and conditions, then click on "Next."
- Click on "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" to proceed with a clean installation.
- Select the drive where you want to install Windows 11 and click on "Next."
- Windows 11 will start installing.
- Once the installation is complete, click on "Restart now" to restart your PC.
2. Create a local account during the OOBE:
- When your PC boots up for the first time, you'll be taken through the OOBE.
- Click on "Next" to proceed.
- You'll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a new account.
- Click on "Skip this step" to bypass the Microsoft account prompt.
- Click on "Next" to proceed.
- Click on "Local account" and then click on "Next."
- Enter a local account name and password, then click on "Next."
- You'll be asked to set up a PIN or a password for your account. Choose "None" to skip this step.
- Click on "Next" and then "Finish" to complete the setup process.
If you are a developer, to setup Windows 11 with local account. You can use the Windows 11 preview build and use the offlineaccount registry value to disable Microsoft account sign-in during the OOBE. However, this method is not officially supported by Microsoft and may not work on all versions of Windows 11.