Microsoft is making a change to the Windows 11 out-of-the-box-experience, also called OOBE. The company has removed a script that lets users skip adding a Microsoft account when setting up Windows.
Normally, when you install a fresh copy of Windows, the set-up process requires you to sign in to your Microsoft account. It even highlights some advantages of connecting an account such as the ability to sync your data across your computers, accessing the Microsoft Store, saving files to OneDrive, Microsoft Office products, etc.
The problem with this process is that it does not offer any option to skip the account sign in. In other words, the set-up does not let you set up the PC with a local account. This annoying requirement has been in place since February 2022.
However, there are a few workarounds using which users can bypass the log-in prompts, allowing them to install Windows sans a Microsoft account.
Naturally, Microsoft does not like it when people resort to such measures. In a bid to curb this, the Redmond company has revealed that it is removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the operating system. This change is already in effect in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for the Dev Channel, with Build 26200.5516 (KB5054687).
For those unaware, Microsoft is referring to a command that users could run when setting up Windows when you are not connected to the internet. Press Shift + F10 and type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and hit Enter. When you reboot the PC, the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen will display another option, “I don’t have Internet”. Users could use this method to bypass the internet and Microsoft account requirement.
The official explanation regarding the removal of the script is that this move was done to enhance the security and user experience of Windows 11. It also states that users will exit the setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account. The message that it tries to convey is that users have no choice but to sign in to their account, the loophole has been closed. Oh, really! Well, no!
It’s gone, but there is a workaround
There is some good news. Even though it may seem like the option is being removed, you still have other ways to skip the account requirement. Notable Windows Insider and X user, phantomofearth, has revealed that Microsoft has only removed the BypassNRO script. But, you can still bypass the network requirement simply by editing a Windows Registry.
Open Regedit and create a new DWORD under the following location: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE.
Set its value to 1, and reboot your computer. Now, you should see the “I don’t have Internet” option. Select it and proceed to set up your PC without a Microsoft account.
As Martin mentioned on Ghacks, there are a couple of other ways to bypass these annoying requirements, for example, you could use a banned email address like no@thankyou.com or a@a.com which lets you skip the account sign in process. The Rufus tool also lets you disable the online account requirement while setting up a Windows installation media.
Perhaps the best thing to do is to bypass windows 11 altogether.
Opening regedit during Windows OS installation is not a task most people know how to perform. I’m not sure I could do it as I’ve never tried and wasn’t even aware there was a registry to be edited at that point.
This article should be expanded to provide step by step instructions on how to do that or at least a link to someplace they have been posted.
We used Rufus to create our installion usb last time and it was wonderful. There’s a lot more to it then just not being forced to create an online account you don’t need or want.
Windows has become a horrible experience. The vast amount of bloatware, telemetry, built-in advertising, and forced driver updates. This is the reaon for my assistance to all friends, family, and friends of friends to show them and get them to use linux. All are suprised that ot is free, works well, and does what they need. Lots of them have saved thousands of dollars by using their older computers that are not compliant with the requirements gor windows. These older computers work perfectly with linux.
I have had such great positive response to switching them over. I actually had a neighbor set up a presentation to group of 12 from their church. They all switched over and are assisting others in switching ftom windows to linux.
If you can help anyone switch over do so. Do not worry about being overwhelmed with requests for support help, as everyone I have helped needed only about an hour of showing them how to use linux, install, and update software, and they are good to go.
@Paul
Also a Linux user here
The first two sentences made sense. The rest?
First of all switching to Linux is not that simple. You have to learn how to use it, not just install and update.
Secondly people don’t like to change. You will have to convince them the chance will benefit them.
And then that presentation in church… 12, really 12 people who then spread the word that the savior had come. Linux will save you from all evil!
Have a lot off fun and keep preaching the word of the all mighty Linux.
May Linux be with us all.
Here is another way: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/new-windows-11-trick-lets-you-bypass-microsoft-account-requirement/
There’s a novel approach documented on the bleepingcomputer.com site by using Shift+F10 to raise the command prompt and then to type: “start ms-cxh:localonly” (without quotes) and then creating a local account on the Microsoft Account menu which is rather amusing.
More info at: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/new-windows-11-trick-lets-you-bypass-microsoft-account-requirement/
I agree with Tachy’s post, above, that this needs “…step by step instructions on how to do that or at least a link to someplace they have been posted.”
I’m guessing that it might be done by ctl-alt-del to open Task Manager, then click File-Run New Task, type regedit in the window? But it would be good to hear from someone who has done it.