How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account

When you set up a Windows 11 machine for the first time, it asks you to log in with your Microsoft account. This is so that Windows can set up various services, like OneDrive, synced to that account. However, you might not want that. You might like to set up your device with a local account instead.

At a first glance, it seems that this is impossible to do, as Microsoft funnels users towards either logging in with their existing accounts or making a new one. However, it is possible to bypass the Microsoft account login part of the Windows 11 setup.

This guide shows how to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account in two distinct ways.

How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account by Disabling Internet Access

The first method how to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account is by turning off your internet during setup. But you have to do this in a very precise way, otherwise the process will simply refuse to proceed until you reconnect. Here is how it works.

Step 1. Begin with the Windows 11 setup process until you arrive at the screen asking for your Microsoft account.

Step 2. Press the “Shift” and “F10” keys together to bring up the Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type in this command and hit “Enter”: oobe\bypassnro.

Step 4. Your machine should then restart. At that point, disconnect it from the internet entirely. One way to do this is by removing any Ethernet cables that are connected. Alternatively, you can press “Shift” and “F10” again and use this command in the Command Prompt: ipconfig /release.

Step 5. Proceed through the installation setup. When you get to the part about connecting to a network, click “I don’t have internet” and then “Continue with limited setup.” Then enter a name and password for your new local account to finish the setup process.

How to Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account With Rufus

Your other option to set up Windows 11 without any Microsoft account needed is to use a third-party tool called Rufus. Rufus is a safe and free utility that works a lot like Windows Media Creation, but with some more customization options.

Step 1. Download a Windows 11 ISO from the official site.

Step 2. Download and set up Rufus.

Step 3. Open Rufus and choose the ISO you wish to boot from. You should also insert a flash drive or external hard drive here, which Rufus can write to.

Step 4. Press “Start” when you’re ready to create the installation media. You’ll then see a pop-up window with some extra settings. Make sure to check the box next to “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” before proceeding.

Step 5. Wait a moment while Rufus creates your media. You can then reboot your computer and load up the installation media from your flash drive. You should then be able to go through the regular Windows 11 installation process, but without being forced to make or log in with a Microsoft account.