How to Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account

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Installing Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account: A Comprehensive Manual Guide 👨‍💻

With Microsoft Making It Harder to Bypass Account Requirements, Here's How to Install Windows 11 or Above Without One!September 27, 2025

With Microsoft Making It Harder to Bypass Account Requirements, Here's How to Install Windows 11 Without One!

Introduction...

Windows 11, Microsoft's latest operating system as of 2025, emphasizes integration with online services through a Microsoft account. This account links your PC to features like OneDrive, Microsoft Store apps, and synchronized settings across devices. However, many users prefer a local account for privacy reasons, simplicity, or to avoid reliance on internet connectivity during setup. A local account operates entirely offline, without tying your data to Microsoft's ecosystem.

While Microsoft has made it increasingly difficult to bypass the account requirement in recent builds (such as 24H2 and beyond), there are still straightforward manual methods to achieve this during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) phase of installation. These methods rely on built-in commands and do not require third-party tools like Rufus or Ventoy. This blog post provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to installing Windows 11 using only official Microsoft resources and manual interventions.

Important Note: These bypass techniques are not officially supported by Microsoft and may be patched in future updates. As of September 2025, the methods described here have been verified through reliable sources but could change with new Windows builds. Always back up important data before attempting a fresh installation.

If a method fails, you may need to complete setup with a Microsoft account and switch to a local one afterward (instructions included at the end).

Prerequisites to get started...

Before beginning the installation, ensure you have the following:

A Compatible PC: Your computer must meet Windows 11's minimum requirements, including a 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz speed and 2 cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and TPM 2.0. If your hardware doesn't meet these, you may need additional bypasses (not covered here, as they often require tools like Rufus).
Windows 11 ISO File: Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's website. Visit microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 and select the appropriate edition (Home or Pro). Use the Media Creation Tool option if you prefer an automated download, or download the ISO directly for manual handling.
Bootable USB Drive: You'll need a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB capacity. Format it to FAT32 if necessary (right-click the drive in File Explorer, select Format, and choose FAT32).
A Second Computer (Optional but Recommended): Use another PC to create the bootable USB, as you'll need to download tools and files.
No Internet Connection During Key Steps: Prepare to disconnect Ethernet cables or disable Wi-Fi adapters during setup to prevent automatic online checks.
Backup of Data: If upgrading or reinstalling, back up files to an external drive or cloud storage.

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Creating a Bootable USB Drive Manually (Without 3rd-Party Tools)

To keep the process straightforward and manual, use Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool or the built-in DiskPart command-line utility in Windows. Avoid Rufus as per your request.

Method 1: Using the Media Creation Tool (Easiest)

Download the Media Creation Tool from microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
Run the tool as administrator (right-click and select "Run as administrator").
Accept the terms and select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."
Choose your language, edition (Windows 11 Home or Pro), and architecture (64-bit).
Select "USB flash drive" and insert your USB drive when prompted.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the creation. The tool will download Windows 11 files and make the USB bootable.

Method 2: Using DiskPart (Command-Line Manual Process)

If you already have the Windows 11 ISO downloaded:

Insert your USB drive into the computer.
Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator").
Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the DiskPart utility.
Type list disk to display all connected disks. Identify your USB drive by size (e.g., Disk 1). Warning: Be careful not to select your main hard drive, as this will erase data.
Type select disk X (replace X with your USB's disk number) and press Enter.
Type clean to erase the drive.
Type create partition primary to create a new partition.
Type select partition 1 and then active to mark it active.
Type format fs=fat32 quick to format quickly as FAT32.
Type assign to assign a drive letter.
Type exit to close DiskPart.
Mount the Windows 11 ISO by right-clicking it in File Explorer and selecting "Mount" (it will appear as a virtual drive, e.g., D:).
Copy all files from the mounted ISO to the USB drive using File Explorer or Command Prompt (e.g., xcopy D:\*.* E:\ /E /H /F where D: is the ISO and E: is the USB).

Your USB is now bootable!

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Booting and Installing Windows 11

Insert the bootable USB into your target PC.
Restart the PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or Esc during boot—check your motherboard manual).
Set the USB as the first boot device and enable Secure Boot if not already.
Save changes and exit. The PC will boot from the USB.
Follow the initial setup prompts: Select your language, time format, and keyboard layout. Click "Next."
Click "Install now."
Enter a product key if you have one (or select "I don't have a product key" to activate later).
Choose the Windows 11 edition to install.
Accept the license terms.
Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a clean install.
Delete existing partitions if needed (back up data first), create a new one, and click "Next" to begin installation.
The installer will copy files, restart multiple times, and eventually enter the OOBE phase (region selection, etc.).

Bypassing the Microsoft Account During OOBE

This is the critical phase where you'll manually bypass the account requirement. There are two primary methods, depending on your Windows build. Start with Method 1 for most stable releases (e.g., 24H2 as of 2025). If it fails, try Method 2 for newer or preview builds.

Method 1: OOBE\BYPASSNRO Command (Standard for Current Builds)

This method disables the network requirement, allowing a local account setup.

Proceed through OOBE until you reach the "Let's connect you to a network" screen or the region selection page.
Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO (case-insensitive, use backslash) and press Enter. The PC will restart automatically.
After restart, disconnect from the internet: If using Ethernet, unplug the cable. For Wi-Fi, ensure no networks are connected. Alternatively, in Command Prompt (Shift + F10 again), type ipconfig /release and press Enter to drop the connection.
Close Command Prompt.
Continue OOBE: Select your region, keyboard, etc.
When prompted with "Let's connect you to a network," click "I don't have internet."
On the next screen, click "Continue with limited setup."
You'll now see "Who's going to use this device?" Enter a username for your local account.
Set a password (optional but recommended for security—leave blank at your risk).
Answer three security questions if prompted.
Complete the remaining OOBE steps (privacy settings, etc.). You'll boot to the desktop with a local account.

Warnings for This Method:

If OOBE\BYPASSNRO returns "command not found," Microsoft may have removed it in your build (common in Insider previews post-2024). Proceed to Method 2.
Reconnecting to the internet later may prompt for a Microsoft account, but you can ignore it.
This creates a limited setup without full online features initially.

Method 2: ms-cxh:localonly Command (For Newer Builds Where BYPASSNRO Fails)

This alternative launches a local account creation dialog directly.

Reach the "Sign in with Microsoft" screen in OOBE.
Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Type start ms-cxh:localonly (or start ms-chx:localonly if the first fails—slight variations exist) and press Enter.
A "Create a user for this PC" window will appear.
Enter a username and password (optional).
Click "Next" to proceed.
Complete OOBE as usual. You'll end up with a local account.

Warnings for This Method:

This is build-specific and may not work on all versions. Test on stable 24H2 or later.
If it fails, you might see an error; in that case, consider completing setup and switching accounts post-install.

Last Ditch Effort By-Pass #1:

If all the above methods don't work due to a patched build:

⚠️ DISCONNECT from the internet first! ⚠️

Shift + F10
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

Last Ditch Effort By-Pass #2:

In the OOBE:

Shift+F10
net user "User Name" /add
net localgroup "Administrators" "User Name" /add
cd OOBE
msoobe && shutdown -r

Want to upgrade to Windows 11 Version 25H2 on an unsupported PC without using any 3rd party tools?

🤮 Don't like it? You can rollback!

Post-Installation: Switching to a Local Account (If Bypass Fails)

If the above methods don't work due to a patched build:

Complete OOBE with a Microsoft account (create a temporary one if needed).
Once on the desktop, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
Click "Sign in with a local account instead."
Follow prompts to create a local username and password.
Sign out and back in with the local account.
Optionally, remove the Microsoft account via Settings > Accounts > Access work or school (if linked).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Command Prompt Won't Open: Ensure Shift + F10 is pressed at the right screen. If disabled, this method won't work.
Internet Reconnects Automatically: Use taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe in Command Prompt to kill the network process.
Build-Specific Failures: For Insider builds, try reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f && shutdown /r /t 0 instead.
Activation Issues: Activate Windows post-install via Settings > Update & Security > Activation with a valid key.
Home vs. Pro Editions: Pro allows easier domain joins, but both support these bypasses.

Conclusion

By following this manual process, you can install Windows 11 with a local account, maintaining control over your privacy and setup. While Microsoft continues to push for online accounts, these command-based workarounds provide a viable alternative as of 2025. If issues persist, consult Microsoft's support forums or consider professional assistance. Remember, a local account limits access to some features like app syncing—evaluate if that's suitable for your needs.