How to Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account in 2024

• To set up Windows 11 (whether Home or Pro) without a Microsoft account, simply disable the internet requirement on the account setup screen and continue using limited connectivity to create a local account.
• If you are installing Windows 11 Pro without relying on a Microsoft account, follow the regular installation procedure. Opt for the “Set up for work or school” option, then click “Next,” “Sign-in options,” “Domain join instead,” and finalize your local account creation.
• An alternative method involves utilizing Rufus to generate a USB bootable drive that bypasses the Microsoft account requirement when configuring Windows 11 as a local account.

This guide will walk you through installing Windows 11 using a local account as opposed to a Microsoft account during the setup process. For users installing Windows 11 Pro, the trick lies in selecting the “Set up for work or school” and “Domain join instead” options during the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE). For those using the “Home” edition, simply disabling the internet is the easiest shortcut.

Previously, users could create a local account by inputting a fictitious email (such as “[email protected]” or “[email protected]” ) and password, but this method is no longer effective.

While it is advisable to utilize a Microsoft account due to its compatibility with various services and the capability to sync files and settings across devices, many users appreciate the simplicity of a traditional account. Moreover, setting up a local account during the OOBE after a clean installation enables the personalization of the profile folder name, avoiding any use of the email address. If you plan to implement remote access, commencing with a local account can circumvent potential connectivity issues.

If you choose to create a local account during setup, you can later link it to a Microsoft account using the Settings app.

This guide will take you through the installation process of Windows 11 24H2 and subsequent releases using a local account for a more private and traditional setup. I’ll also provide steps for configuring a laptop or desktop that comes preloaded with the operating system. If your device runs an older version, such as 23H2 or 22H2, you may still follow these instructions, though the Windows Setup might differ slightly.

• Install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account
• Install Windows 11 Pro without a Microsoft account
• Install Windows 11 using Rufus to create a local account
• Set up a new PC without a Microsoft account

Installing Windows 11 Home Without a Microsoft Account

To install Windows 11 without invoking a Microsoft account, follow these steps:

1. Boot the PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
2. Press any key to proceed.
3. Choose your preferred installation language and format.

   

4. Click on the Next button.
5. Select the desired keyboard and input method.

   

6. Click the Next button again.
7. Pick the “Install Windows 11” option.

   

8. Check the “I agree to everything” option to acknowledge that this action will erase all data from the computer.
9. Select the “I don’t have a product key” option.

   

   Quick note: The device will self-activate after reinstallation. For new computers, you need to supply a product key. You can also enter it later through the Settings app.
10. Choose the edition of “Windows 11” corresponding to your license key (if applicable).

    

11. Click the Next button again.
12. Click the Accept button.
13. Select each partition on the hard drive for Windows 11 installation and then click the Delete button. (Typically, “Drive 0” contains all installation files.)

    

14. Select the hard drive space labeled as (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) for the operating system installation.

    

15. Click the Next button.
16. Click the Install button.

    

17. Access Command Prompt using the “Shift + F10” keyboard combination on the region settings page.
18. Type the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO to circumvent network requirements on Windows 11, hit Enter, and reboot the computer.

    

19. Upon restart, re-open Command Prompt using the “Shift + F10” shortcut on the region settings page.
20. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter to sever the network connection.
21. Choose your regional settings on the initial page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

22. Click the Yes button.
23. Determine the keyboard layout you prefer.

    

24. Click Yes once more.
25. Press the Skip button if a second layout configuration is unnecessary.
26. Select the “I don’t have internet” option.

    

27. Click on “Continue with limited setup” .

    

28. Click Accept (if necessary).
29. Confirm the name for your local default account on Windows 11.

    

30. Click Next.
31. Establish a password for the account.

    

32. Click Next.
33. Reconfirm the password for the account.
34. Click the Next button.
35. Answer the three security questions for account recovery.

    

36. Click Next.
37. Adjust your privacy settings.

    

38. Click Next.
39. Click Next again.
40. Select Accept.

After completing these steps, you will have successfully set up Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account.

This method is applicable for both the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11.

Installing Windows 11 Pro Without a Microsoft Account

To configure Windows 11 Pro without involving a Microsoft account and strictly using a local account, proceed with the following steps:

1. Boot the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
2. Hit any key to proceed.
3. Select your preferred installation language and format.

   

4. Click Next.
5. Choose your keyboard and input settings.

   

6. Click the Next button.
7. Choose the “Install Windows 11” option.

   

8. Verify the “I agree to everything” option confirming the process will wipe everything on the computer.
9. Choose “I don’t have a product key” .

   

   Quick note: The system will reactivate automatically post-reinstallation. If this is a new machine, you’ll need a product key. You can enter it later via the Settings app.
10. Select the Windows 11 edition your license key activates (if applicable).

    

11. Hit Next.
12. Click Accept.
13. Select every partition on the hard drive to install Windows 11 on and click Delete. (Typically, “Drive 0” contains all installation files.)

    

14. Choose the hard disk (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.

    

15. Click Next.
16. Click Install.

    

17. Access Command Prompt via the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut on the region settings page.
18. Define your region settings on the initial page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

19. Click the Yes option.
20. Determine your keyboard layout setting.

    

21. Click Yes once again.
22. If a second layout is not required, click the Skip button.
23. If your computer utilizes an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. For wireless connections, manual setup (including a security key) may be necessary.
24. (Optional) Confirm a name for your computer.

    

25. Click the Next button (the computer will automatically reboot).
26. (Important) Choose the “Set up for work or school” option to bypass the Microsoft account.

    

27. Click Next.
28. Navigate to “Sign-in options” .

    

29. Select “Domain join instead” to bypass the Microsoft account requirement and proceed with the local account setup.

    

30. Input a name to create a local account on Windows 11.

    

31. Create a robust password for the local account.

    

32. Hit Next.
33. Reconfirm the password.
34. Click the Next button.
35. Answer the three security questions in case of forgotten password.
36. Click Next.

    

37. Finalize your privacy settings according to your preferences by toggling each switch.
38. Click Accept.

    

Upon completing these steps, Windows 11 Pro will be successfully set up without a connection to a Microsoft account.

Installing Windows 11 with a Local Account Using Rufus

For those wishing to configure a fresh Windows 11 installation (either Home or Pro) without a Microsoft account using Rufus, ensure to connect an 8GB USB flash drive and follow these instructions:

1. Access the Rufus website.
2. Download the latest version by clicking the link provided.
3. Run the rufus.4.xx.exe file.
4. Choose your flash drive in the “Device” setting for creating the Windows 11 bootable USB media.
5. Click on the Select button.
6. Choose the Windows 11 ISO file.
7. Hit the Open button.
8. In the “Image option” setting, select the “Standard Windows Partition” option.
9. Under “Partition scheme,” select the GPT option.
10. Choose UEFI (non CSM) in the “Target system” setting.
11. (Optional) Assign a descriptive name for your bootable USB flash drive in the “Volume label” section.
12. Utilize the default settings for the File system and Cluster size choices.
13. Enable the Quick format option.
14. Tick the option for “Create extended label and icon files” .
15. Press the Start button.
16. (You can optionally select the “Remove requirements for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0” option if you plan to install Windows 11 on hardware that doesn’t meet these specifications.)
17. Crucially, check the option: “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” to allow for local account usage and skip the internet checks.

    

18. (Recommended) Enable the “Create a local account with username” option and define a name for the account.
    Quick note: If you prefer creating a local account during setup, this option isn’t necessary.
19. Click the OK button.
20. Boot the PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive that was created with Rufus.
21. Press any key to continue.
22. Select your installation language and format.

    

23. Click Next.
24. Choose the preferred keyboard and input method.

    

25. Hit Next.
26. Choose the “Install Windows 11” option.

    

27. Acknowledge the “I agree to everything” option to affirm the process will delete existing files on the computer.
28. Choose the “I don’t have a product key” option.

    

    Quick note: The system will auto-activate following reinstallation. For new systems, a product key is required for activation, but can be entered later via the Settings app.
29. Select the appropriate edition of “Windows 11” for your product key activation (if relevant).

    

30. Click Next.
31. Click Accept.
32. Select all partitions on your hard drive where you want Windows 11 installed and press the Delete button. Typically, “Drive 0” holds the installation files.

    

33. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) for the operating system installation.

    

34. Click Next.
35. Click Install.

    

36. Open Command Prompt with the “Shift + F10” shortcut on the region settings page.
37. Choose your regional settings during the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

38. Click Yes.
39. Confirm your keyboard layout preference.

    

40. Click Yes again.
41. If you don’t need a second layout, choose the Skip button.
    Quick note: As you’ve created a custom USB bootable media, the setup will automatically bypass the Microsoft account configuration and create a local account. If you didn’t opt to create an account, you must now do so before configuring the privacy settings.
42. Finalize your privacy settings according to your preferences.

    

43. Click Next.
44. Click Next once more.
45. Click Accept.

If you opted to create a local account, please note that it will not initially have a password set. To secure your account, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and click the “Add” button in the “Password” section.

Setting Up a New PC Without a Microsoft Account

For new computers that come pre-installed with Windows 11 Home or Pro, you can use either method demonstrated in the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) instructions.

To set up a new Windows 11 laptop or desktop without engaging a Microsoft account, take the following steps:

1. Power on the computer to enter the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE).
2. Access Command Prompt with the “Shift + F10” keyboard combination on the region settings page.
3. Input the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO to bypass network requirements on Windows 11, then press Enter and restart the computer.

   

4. After restarting, re-open Command Prompt with the “Shift + F10” shortcut on the region settings page.
5. Type ipconfig /release and hit Enter to disconnect from the network.
6. Choose your region settings on the initial page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

   

7. Click the Yes option.
8. Select your preferred keyboard layout.

   

9. Click Yes again.
10. If a second layout isn’t needed, click the Skip button.
11. Choose the “I don’t have internet” option.

    

12. Click “Continue with limited setup” .

    

13. Click Accept if prompted.
14. Confirm the name for your local default account on Windows 11.

    

15. Hit Next.
16. Set a password for that account.

    

17. Click Next.
18. Reconfirm your account password.
19. Hit the Next button.
20. Answer and complete the three security questions for account recovery.

    

21. Click Next.
22. Select your desired privacy settings.

    

23. Press Next.
24. Click Next again.
25. Finally, click Accept.

Once these steps have been finalized, you’ll be taken to your Windows 11 desktop with a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

Although Microsoft makes it challenging to set up Windows 11 without an online Microsoft account, there are several workarounds available. One alternative is to start by using a Microsoft account, create a local account, and afterward delete the Windows 11 account using Microsoft credentials.