Forum Discussion
Possible to install windows 11 without microsoft account?
Hello tech community members,
I'm new to Windows and want to install Windows 11 on a PC given by my dad, but I don't have a Microsoft account and I'm not planning to create one. I've heard that it's possible to bypass the Microsoft account requirement during the installation process, but I'm not sure how to do it.
Could anyone provide a step-by-step guide or any tips on how to install Windows 11 without Microsoft account? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
[Latest update] Please don't send private message any more as I don't have time replying one by one. If you had the same question, please follow this step-by-step-guide with screenshots to get it done. I already successfully installed Windows 11 on my PC without Microsoft account. You can also contact the support to send you the custom ISO to skip the Microsoft account requirement.
52 Replies
Came to this thread trying to set up an LG Gram I bought for my mother, and she has no Internet at her cabin, and no Microsoft account either. After reading through all the replies, I came upon a very elegant solution for my situation.
What worked for me was to turn Airplane mode on before the setup started, and click "I don't have Internet" when that option appeared.
Boom, local account, no Microsoft account needed.
This worked! At least on a laptop. I'm sure for a desktop you can just keep it disconnected from Ethernet and have similar results.
For anyone looking, it's at the very bottom next to the "next" button and says "I don't have Internet"
- Came across this issue today with an antsy user who'd already started his laptop setup before allowing me to set it up and join the domain. Luckily, he got stumped when it came to the user account option. I started over, and did not get the option to connect or not to the internet, as he'd already connected. Turns out, the fix was super easy.
When selecting account type, choose work or school. On the next screen, there's an option for sign in another way, which lets you choose to sign in with a domain. This brings you directly to create a local user account. You don't actually need to have a domain to get this to work.Thanks Tim - Worked 5 June 2025!!
Thanks, worked.
This is the way
Martinezipo and anyone who comes across this post. Simply disconnect your network cable or disable your wifi adapter if you connected to a wifi network. Hold Shift + F10 for the command prompt to appear now type
netsh interface show interfaceAfter this pay attention to the interface name for your wireless adapter:
On mine the wifi interface name is: Wi-Fi.
Replace Wi-Fi with your interface name.
netsh interface set interface Wi-Fi disablePress enter and now click Sign-In and it will let you create an account versus login in with email.
Don’t forget to enable your interface once in Windows.
This one worked for me (2025-02-16). Before that, I had tried the OOBE\BYOASSNRO method listed below, but it kept rebooting the laptop.
So thanks!
Same here. This worked for me and it gave the option to continue without internet. The OOBE\BYOASSNRO did not work. It just rebooted.
Disabling the Wi-Fi adapter caused the setup to stop. This doesn't work.
- yes this is possible you install windows 11 Follow the Windows 10/ 11 install process until you get to the "choose a country" screen. ...
Hit Shift + F10. ...
Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO to disable the Internet connection requirement. ...
Hit Shift + F10 again and this time Type ipconfig /release. I was able to install newest win 11 release (23H2) by hitting the airplane mode button on a HP laptop immediately after entering the country code during a clean win 11 install. Was able to then create a Local account.
- How I did it: Basically I had to setup WIndows 11 Pro using a Microsoft account, then created a local user account. Logging into that new account was tricky.
1 - In setup, I chose the Work/School setup rather than the personal setup
because the personal setup wouldn't recognize my Microsoft account email and password.
2 - Once setup was complete...
3 - Changed the laptop's Workgroup Name to my home Workgroup name that I had picked long ago.
I suppose you could leave the Workgroup Name as the default name, WORKGROUP, but I haven't tried that.
4 - Reboot for the Workgroup change to take effect.
5 - Create a new user:
Start / Settings / Accounts / Other Users
Other Users / Add Other User
Click Add Account.
In "How will this person sign in?" click "I don't have this person's sign-in information"
in the resultant Create Account dialog, click "Add a user without a Microsoft Account"
Enter the new user name (e.g., "Biff") and password that you choose.
6 - Make the new user an Administrator (if you wish)
Settings / Accounts / Other Users, select the user you just added (e.g., "Biff")
Click Change Account Type
Account Type: Administrator
Rebooted just for good measure.
7 - The tricky part: how to login as the new user
At the Login Screen...
Click Other User (in the screen lower-left)
Click Sign-in Options
Click the Key icon to choose a Password-based login
For email address, type the Workgroup name, backslash, the user name you created,
for example NEEDHAMIA\Biff
I suppose that's strictly-speaking a domain name rather than a workgroup name, but it works.
Type the password you chose when you created this user.
Click the arrow next to the filled-in password
Windows should now set up the new user, who doesn't use a Microsoft account.
The next time you sign in, it should offer the new user name,
so you just have to type the password and away you go.
1. Follow the Windows 10/ 11 install process until you get to the "choose a country" screen.
Now's the time to cut off the Internet. However, before you do, you need to issue a command that prevents Windows 11 from forcing you to have an Internet connection.2. Hit Shift + F10. A command prompt appears.
3. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO to disable the Internet connection requirement.
The computer will reboot and return you to this screen.4. Hit Shift + F10 again and this time Type ipconfig /release. Then hit Enter to disable the Internet.
5. Close the command prompt.6. Continue with the installation, choosing the region. keyboard and second keyboard option.
A screen saying "Let's connect you to a network" appears, warning you that you need Internet.7. Click "I don't have Internet" to continue.
A new login screen appears asking "Who's going to use this device?"8. Enter a username you want to use for your local account and click Next.
9. Enter a password you would like to use and click Next. You can also leave this field blank and have no password, but that's not recommended.10. Complete the rest of the install process as you normally would.
Thank you! This worked perfectly! I was already at the account login screen and thought that I was SOL. I found this procedure, put my computer in airplane mode to prevent Internet access, and then picked up at step 2.
chysti
The "OOBE\BYPASSNRO" trick does no longer work with Win11 32h2 september 24 updateIt seems it is not work when connected to the internet. It worked when computer is disconnected from the internet.
- Yes, it’s possible with some tips and tricks as everyone here mentioned and specially the solution given by MarisLynn. You can do this only if you have Windows 11 home edition, otherwise, you will not be able to set it up using a local account. You will need to use a Microsoft account to set it up. Once setup, you direct to Settings > Accounts > Your Info, now sign in with a local account instead to convert it into a local account.
In Windows 11 Pro, you can click on the option to set it up for work, then click on Sign in option then click on join, and it will allow you to set up as a local user. Local accounts store all your data locally, which means that Microsoft doesn't have access to your personal files, emails, and browsing history. This is particularly important for users who are concerned about online privacy and don't want to share their data with Microsoft.
Local accounts don't require an internet connection to function, which means you can use your device offline or in areas with poor internet connectivity.There are also many other reasons why you should install Windows 11 without Microsoft account. However, the final decision is up to you!
It is possible to install Windows 11 without Microsoft account by using an offline account during installation. When you start the Windows 11 installation process, you'll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account. Instead, click on the "Offline account" option at the bottom of the screen. This will allow you to create a local account on your PC without linking it to a Microsoft account.
