Windows Without Microsoft Account
Kanisha Dezarn
By default, you must log in with a Microsoft account in order to install Windows 11 or go through the box (OOBE) setup process that triggers the first time you turn on a new laptop or desktop. Though Microsoft accounts are free, there are many reasons why you would want to install Windows 11 using a local account only.
Maybe you want to use a local account because you are installing Windows 11 on a child's PC or on a PC that you plan to sell, give to a friend or donate to a charity (without giving other people access to personal data). Or perhaps you just like your privacy and don't want to create an account with Microsoft in the first place.
Whatever your reason for doing so, it's easy to install or set up Windows 11 with a without using a Microsoft account. Below, we'll show you two methods: the first involves issuing some commands during the install / OOBE processor. The second, which only works for a clean install, requires you to create a modified USB install disk using a free tool called Rufus.
There's a simple trick for setting up a local account that involves issuing a command to keep Windows from requiring Internet to install / set up and then cutting off Internet at just the right time in the setup process. This works the same way whether you are doing a clean install of Windows 11 or following the OOBE process on a store-bought computer.
2. Insert a USB Flash drive you want to use as an install disk if one is not already inserted. Note that this drive will be completely erased during the process and it must be at least 8GB. If you are just installing Windows in a virtual machine, you can create an ISO file instead of writing directly to a Flash drive, but we'll assume you're not doing that here.
7. Toggle "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" to on and click OK. You may also want to toggle on the other options, which include Removing the Secure Boot / TPM 2.0 and RAM requirements. You can also toggle on "Create a local account with username" and enter your username here and it won't need to prompt you during installation. You can also toggle on "Set regional options to the same values as this user's" and it won't prompt you for the country or keyboard.
Rufus will take a few minutes to copy files to the USB Flash drive. When it's done, you will have a bootable Flash drive. Be sure to click "skip" when you see the ice cream cone on the screen during install.
Yes, you can set up your new Windows 11 installation without a Microsoft account, and in this guide, I'll show you the steps to complete this process. Microsoft isn't hiding that it wants you to use a Microsoft online account when setting up your computer since it offers additional benefits, including better integration with cloud services (such as OneDrive and Microsoft 365 apps), content synchronization between computers, and better security.
Although there are additional benefits to using an online account, many users still prefer the more traditional experience with a local account. The issue is that the company is making it harder to set up the operating system without a Microsoft account. Previously, you had the option to skip the online account, but it was later removed from the Home and Pro editions.
In this how-to guide, I'll explain the different ways to set up a new installation of Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. (It's important to note that I re-tested these instructions in April 2024 to ensure these methods are still working.)
These instructions guide you through the clean installation process. If you are setting up a new laptop or desktop pre-installed with Windows 11, you can skip these steps and continue with the "Method 1" or "Method 2" solutions.
Once you complete the steps, the installation process will follow, and then, in the out-of-box experience (OOBE), you can proceed in one of two ways. One, you can use the disable internet requirement instructions to disable the requirement through the initial setup to configure an account without a Microsoft account. Second, you can also mistype the local account information using the steps below, which returns an error that falls back to the local account creation.
Quick tip: If you click the "Next" button without setting a password, the computer will sign in automatically, and you won't have to complete the security questions. However, I do have to warn you that setting up a computer without a password is a security risk. If you do this, proceed at your own risk.
Once you complete the steps, you will be able to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. Since you're not using an online account, you won't have to go through the annoying promotional offers to purchase the different services that Microsoft offers.
Alternatively, you can type a local account and password in the "Let's add your Microsoft account" page instead of a Microsoft account. When you do this, the "Oops, something went wrong" error will appear, and the system will fall back to the local account creation interface, whether you are using Windows 11 Home or Pro.
Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community."}), " -0-10/js/authorBio.js"); } else console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); Mauro HuculakSocial Links NavigationMauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.
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.
By default, a Microsoft account is required during Windows 11 installation. This will sync your personal data when Windows 11 is set up. However, there are a couple of ways to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements.
@MartinezipoI had done this for two times. It takes too much time when connecting a Microsoft during installation.This is a simple trick to install Windows 11 without microsoft account for old Windows 11 versions.
@Martinezipo I was fortunate enough during my Windows 11 installation last September. When the setup process reached the point where it required a Microsoft account, I simply unplugged my Ethernet cable. This action caused the setup to revert to the Local Account creation screen. So you can now install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
To ensure success, I also made sure there were no Wi-Fi connections available to the PC beforehand. Interestingly, I used the same method when setting up Windows 10 and was both surprised and relieved to find that this trick still worked.
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.
Well, installing Windows 11 without Microsoft account is actually pretty easy, as long as you pay attention to a few details. First, you'll want to make sure you have an installation USB for Windows 11 on hand. if not, you can go to Microsoft's website and download the ISO file, and then use a tool like Rufus to create a boot USB.
Next, when you start installing Windows 11, there will be a session for you to sign in to your Microsoft account. At this step, if you are installing with an Internet connection, the system will ask you to sign in or create a Microsoft account by default. However, there's a trick to get around this: you can choose not to connect to the network during the installation. This way, the installer will allow you to create a local account to complete the installation.
During the installation, you'll be prompted to connect to Wi-Fi, at which point you can select "I don't have Internet" or a similar option to continue setting up your computer with a local account. Once the system is installed and you are on the desktop, you can always connect to the internet as needed.
Anyway, the key is to not connect to the internet during the installation so that you can avoid the step of logging into your Microsoft account. I hope this method helps and good luck with the installation!
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.
I work out of my home and run a 3 hyper-v machines for software testing on my host machine which is now Windows 11. I have had these 3 VM's for the past 2 years and I log into each of them using my Microsoft account without issue.
I have been running Windows 11 for the past few weeks on my host machine. I also updated all my VM's to use configuration version 10.0 that came with Windows 11 and have not run into any issues until yesterday.