How to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

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.

However, whether you're installing the Home or Pro edition of Windows 11, you have a few workarounds (via Reddit) to set up an installation with a local account instead of an online account. 

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.)

How to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

If you have to set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account, you must proceed with the traditional setup and use one of the available solutions in the out-of-box experience (OOBE).

Windows 11 setup wizard

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.

Warning: This process will delete everything on the computer. As a result, it's a good idea to back up your Windows 11 computer.

To start a fresh installation of Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Start the PC with Windows 11 USB flash drive.

• Quick note: You can use these clean installation instructions for Windows 11 if you cannot start the computer from the USB bootable drive. If you use the same Rufus tool as downloading Windows 11 onto a USB flash drive, note that during the USB creation process, the tool will give you the option to remove the Microsoft account requirements, so you don't have to use any workaround. 

2. On the prompt, press any key to boot from the device.
3. Click the Next button in the "Windows Setup" interface.

• Quick tip: If your language, time and currency, and keyboard are different from the default selections, select the correct settings before continuing.

4. Click the Install now button.

5. If this is a reinstallation, click the "I don't have a product key" option to continue. Otherwise, enter the product key if this is your first time installing the operating system.

• Quick tip: You can always complete the installation and activate it using the Settings app.

6. Click the Next button.
7. Select the edition of Windows 11 (If applicable).

8. Click Next.
9. Select the "I accept the license terms" option to continue.
10. Click Next.
11. Click the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option to continue with the installation.

12. Select the partition with the current installation (usually "Drive 0"), and click the Delete button.

• Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you must select and delete each partition to allow the setup to use the entire hard drive for the new setup. The Windows setup will create the required partitions automatically during the process. It's also not necessary to delete the partitions on secondary drives.

13. Click the Yes button.
14. Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to proceed with the installation.

15. Click the Next button.

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.

Method 1: Out-of-box experience (OOBE) disable internet requirement

To set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account disabling the internet requirements, use these steps:

1. Use the "Shift + F10" keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt on the Windows 11 setup.
2. Type the following command to disable the internet connection requirement to set up Windows 11 and press Enter: oobe\bypassnro

1. Quick note: The command doesn't have any spaces. Also, the computer will restart at this moment.

3. Use the "Shift + F10" keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt on the Windows 11 setup.
4. Type the following command to drop the network connection and press Enter: ipconfig /release 

• Quick tip: Alternatively, you can also disconnect the device by unplugging the network cable or turning off the wireless adapter from your laptop.

5. Type the following command to close the Command Prompt and press Enter: exit
6. Select your region to set up the device.

3. Click the Next button.
4. Select your keyboard layout setting.

5. Click the Yes button.
6. Click the Skip button.

7. Click the "I don't have internet" option.

8. Click the "Continue with limited setup" option.

9. Confirm the account name for Windows 11.

10. Click the Next button.
11. Create the account password.

12. Click the Next button.
13. Confirm the account password.
14. Click the Next button.
15. Configure the three security questions in case you have to reset the password.

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.

16. Click the Next button.
17. Choose your privacy settings.
18. Click the Next button.
19. Click the Next button again.
20. Click the Accept button.

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.

Method 2: Out-of-box experience (OOBE) typing local account during account creation

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.

To set up a Windows 11 device without a Microsoft account by typing a local account, use these steps:

1. Select your region.

2. Click the Next button.
3. Select your keyboard layout setting.

4. Click the Yes button.
5. Click the Skip button.

6. (Optional) Confirm a computer name.
7. Click the Next button.

8. Choose the "Set up for personal use" option.

• Quick note: This option is only available on Windows 11 Pro.

9. Click the Sign in button.

10. Confirm a local account username in the "Sign in" setting (do not use a Microsoft account).

• Quick tip: Try not to complicate things. Try using the "admin" username and continue.

10. Click the Next button.
11. Confirm a random password for the account.

13. Click the Sign in button.
14. Click the Next button on the "Oops, something went wrong" error page.

14. Create a name for the local account.

15. Click the Next button.
16. Create a password for the account.

17. Click the Next button.
18. Confirm the password.
19. Click the Next button.
20. Complete the three security questions to recover the account (if applicable).

17. Click the Next button.
18. Choose your privacy settings.
19. Click the Next button.
20. Click the Next button again.
21. Click the Accept button.

Once you complete the steps, you will be able to continue the setup of Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know