Antagonize Redmond by establishing a local account on Windows 11

Antagonize Redmond by establishing a local account on Windows 11

If you prefer to set up a local account instead of a Microsoft account when installing Windows 11, this article provides you with several methods to achieve that. We'll cover both using external tools like Rufus and command-line tricks during the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Using Rufus for Local Account Installation

Rufus, an installation disk burner created by developer Pete Batard, can be used to prepare a USB Flash installation drive for a local account install. Here's how to do it:

1. Download, install, and open Rufus.
2. Check "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" in Rufus and click Ok.
3. Use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to write the operating system installer to the drive.
4. Boot off of your USB flash drive and go through the installation process until you get to the Sign in screen.
5. Enter a password for your local account (it's not recommended to have a blank password).
6. If you created a password, you'll be asked to enter answers for some security questions.
7. After the reboot, you will be asked to enter a local username and password during the sign-in process.

Bypassing Microsoft Account Requirement During OOBE

You can bypass the Microsoft account requirement and set up a local account on Windows 11 during installation without using Rufus by using these methods directly in the OOBE:

1. OOBE Command Method When you reach the "Let's connect you to a network" page (Internet connection required), press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Then type and enter: This command will reboot the PC and restart the OOBE process, allowing you to choose “I don’t have internet,” leading you to create a local account instead of a Microsoft account.
2. Killing Network Connection Method At the network connection page, open Command Prompt using Shift + F10 and run: This kills the network connection process, enabling you to continue with local account creation without signing into Microsoft.
3. Dummy Email Trick When prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account, enter a fake email such as [email protected] or just type USER. Provide a random password. Repeating this may cause Windows 11 to eventually offer the option to create a local account.
4. Using Command to Launch Local Account Setup When at the user account page, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt and type: This can sometimes launch the local account creation interface directly without Microsoft account requirements.

Killing Internet Connection During OOBE

If you don't want to use the command-line tricks, you can hit Shift + F10 to open the command prompt and enter to kill your Internet connection. This will allow you to create a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

With these methods, you do not need Rufus or any external tools; just use keyboard shortcuts and command-line tricks during the Windows 11 OOBE to bypass the Microsoft account and create a local account instead.

1. Leveraging technology and software, a local account in Windows 11 can be secured without relying on a Microsoft account, even in the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE), ensuring improved privacy.
2. Employing the dummy email trick during the OOBE process not only offers an option for creating a local account but also demonstrates the flexibility cloud technology provides in Microsoft's solutions.
3. While Rufus helps prepare a USB drive for local account installation, it's essential to keep security in mind by opting for a strong password and providing answers to security questions, thus safeguarding your new account with robust protection.

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