How to Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account in 2024

Key Notes

• Easily create a local account during the installation process.
• Utilize Rufus to set up a bootable USB that bypasses Microsoft account requirements.
• Follow various methods tailored for both Windows 11 Home and Pro versions.

Master the Art of Installing Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account

Installing Windows 11 comes with certain requirements that some users may find inconvenient. The necessity of a Microsoft account can be a roadblock for those who prefer local accounts for privacy or other reasons. This guide will walk you through the multiple methods of installing Windows 11, whether you are using the Home or Pro edition, without the need for an online account.

Implementing Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft Account

To successfully set up Windows 11 Home while bypassing the Microsoft account feature, follow these detailed steps:

1. Step 1: Initiate the Installation from the USB Drive

   Start your PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Step 2: Continue with Installation

   Press any key to proceed.

3. Step 3: Access Installation Options

   Click the Next button to continue.

4. Step 4: Start Installation Process

   Click on the Install now button.

5. Step 5: Bypass Product Key Requirement

   If reinstalling, select “I don’t have a product key”. Windows will reactivate after installation if previously activated.

6. Step 6: Choose Windows 11 Edition

   Select the Windows 11 edition that corresponds with your license.

7. Step 7: Accept Licensing Agreement

   Tick the box to indicate “I accept the license terms”.

8. Step 8: Choose Custom Installation Type

   Opt for “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.

9. Step 9: Manage Partitions

   Select each partition on the hard drive and click Delete for the correct drive (usually Drive 0).

   Pro Tip: Deleting a partition erases all data. Avoid unnecessary partitions.

10. Step 10: Allocate Unallocated Space

    Choose the hard drive labeled Drive 0 Unallocated Space for installation.

11. Step 11: Proceed to Installation

    Click the Next button.

12. Step 12: Configure Region Settings

    At the OOBE screen, choose your region.

13. Step 13: Confirm Your Selection

    Click the Yes button.

14. Step 14: Pick Your Keyboard Layout

    Choose the desired keyboard layout.

15. Step 15: Finalize the Language Selection

    Click Yes again to confirm.

16. Step 16: Skip Additional Layout Configurations

    Click the Skip button if no second language is needed.

17. Step 17: Trigger Command Prompt

    On the “No Internet Connection” prompt, press Shift + F10.

18. Step 18: Execute Bypass Command

    Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO into Command Prompt and hit Enter.

19. Step 19: Restart the Installation

    Once the system restarts, the OOBE setup starts again.

20. Step 20: Confirm No Internet Connection

    Choose I don’t have internet.

21. Step 21: Proceed with Limited Setup

    Select Continue with limited setup.

22. Step 22: Accept Terms

    Click Accept if prompted.

23. Step 23: Create a Local Username

    Provide a name for the local default account.

24. Step 24: Set Up Your Password

    Create a secure password for the local account.

25. Step 25: Verify Your Password

    Confirm the password.

26. Step 26: Answer Security Questions

    Choose and complete three security questions for account recovery.

27. Step 27: Select Privacy Settings

    Choose the privacy settings that best fit your needs.

28. Step 28: Conclude Setup

    Finalize the installation steps by clicking Next as needed.

Your Windows 11 Home installation is now complete without any Microsoft account configuration!

Installing Windows 11 Pro Without a Microsoft Account

To configure Windows 11 Pro without engaging a Microsoft account, follow these instructions:

1. Step 1: Boot from the Windows 11 USB Drive

   Start your computer using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Step 2: Continue the Installation Process

   Press any key when prompted to move forward.

3. Step 3: Access Setup Options

   Click the Next button to continue.

4. Step 4: Click Install Now

   Select the Install now button.

5. Step 5: Bypass Product Key Requirement

   Choose “I don’t have a product key” if you’re reinstalling.

6. Step 6: Select Windows 11 Edition

   Choose the correct Windows 11 edition for your license.

7. Step 7: Accept License Terms

   Check the box to confirm “I accept the license terms”.

8. Step 8: Choose Custom Installation Type

   Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.

9. Step 9: Manage Hard Drive Partitions

   Delete all relevant partitions to prepare for installation.

   Pro Tip: Be careful: deleting partitions will erase all data.

10. Step 10: Allocate Unallocated Space

    Select Drive 0 Unallocated Space for installation.

11. Step 11: Click Next

    Proceed by clicking Next.

12. Step 12: Specify Region Settings

    On the first OOBE screen, select your region.

13. Step 13: Confirm Your Settings

    Click Yes to confirm.

14. Step 14: Choose Keyboard Layout

    Select your preferred keyboard layout.

15. Step 15: Review Layout

    Press Yes to confirm your selection.

16. Step 16: Skip Layout Setup

    If a second keyboard layout isn’t necessary, click Skip.

17. Step 17: Setup Network

    If using Ethernet, it connects automatically; for Wi-Fi, set up manually.

18. Step 18: Optional Confirmation

    Confirm a name for your computer.

19. Step 19: Restart the PC

    Click Next to allow the system to restart.

20. Step 20: Select Setup Type

    To continue without a Microsoft account, choose Set up for work or school.

21. Step 21: Proceed

    Click Next to continue.

22. Step 22: Choose Sign-in Options

    Select the Sign-in options setting.

23. Step 23: Join Domain

    Click Domain join instead to set up a local account.

24. Step 24: Create Local Account

    Enter a name for your local account.

25. Step 25: Establish a Password

    Set a secure password for your local account.

26. Step 26: Confirm Password

    Re-enter the password for confirmation.

27. Step 27: Answer Security Questions

    Complete three security questions to enable account recovery.

28. Step 28: Set Privacy Preferences

    Finalize the privacy options as per your requirements.

29. Step 29: Accept Privacy Terms

    Click Accept to conclude.

Windows 11 Pro will now be installed without linking to a Microsoft account, maintaining your desired level of privacy.

Installing Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account Using Rufus

Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus that bypasses the Microsoft account requirement:

1. Step 1: Download Rufus

   Visit the Rufus website to download the latest version.

2. Step 2: Launch the Tool

   Open the downloaded rufus.4.xx.exe file.

3. Step 3: Select USB Drive

   Choose your USB drive from the “Device” selection.

4. Step 4: Choose Windows 11 ISO

   Click the Select button and locate the Windows 11 ISO file.

5. Step 5: Configure Image Options

   Select “Standard Windows Partition” in the image options.

6. Step 6: Adjust Partition Scheme

   Choose GPT for the partition scheme.

7. Step 7: Target System Setting

   Select UEFI (non CSM) under the target system.

8. Step 8: Rename USB Drive (Optional)

   You may confirm a descriptive name for the USB drive in the volume label setting.

9. Step 9: Default Settings

   Keep the default settings for File system and Cluster size.

10. Step 10: Format Options

    Check the Quick format option.

11. Step 11: Extended Icon Files

    Check “Create extended label and icon files”.

12. Step 12: Start the Process

    Click the Start button to begin creating the USB.

13. Step 13: Custom Features for Unsupported Hardware

    Optionally check “Remove requirement for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0” if needed.

14. Step 14: Bypass Microsoft Account Requirement

    Check the specific option “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account”.

15. Step 15: Provide a Username (Optional)

    Select the “Create a local account with username” option and specify a name if desired.

    Pro Tip: If you create a local account during the installation setup, this option is not necessary.

16. Step 16: Finalize Rufus Settings

    Click the OK button to initiate the creation of the bootable USB.

17. Step 17: Boot from the USB Drive

    Insert the newly created USB drive and start the PC.

18. Step 18: Continue Installation

    Press any key to proceed with the installation.

19. Step 19: Click Install Now

    Select the Install now button.

20. Step 20: Bypass Product Key Requirement

    If prompted about a product key, select “I don’t have a product key”.

21. Step 21: Select Windows Version

    Choose the correct edition of Windows 11 that matches your license key.

22. Step 22: Accept the License Terms

    Check the box to accept the license terms.

23. Step 23: Begin Custom Installation

    Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.

24. Step 24: Manage Partitions

    Delete relevant partitions as necessary to prepare for installation.

    Pro Tip: This step will erase all data on selected partitions.

25. Step 25: Choose Unallocated Space

    Select Drive 0 Unallocated Space for installation.

26. Step 26: Confirm with Next Button

    Click Next to proceed with installation.

27. Step 27: Region Configuration

    On the OOBE screen, select your region settings.

28. Step 28: Confirm Your Selection

    Click Yes to proceed.

29. Step 29: Set Keyboard Layout

    Choose your keyboard layout preferences.

30. Step 30: Review Layout Confirmation

    Press Yes to finalize this selection.

31. Step 31: Skip Additional Layout Configuration

    If you’d like to skip setting up a second layout, click Skip.

32. Step 32: Review Privacy Settings

    Choose privacy settings that correspond to your preferences.

33. Step 33: Proceed to Final Steps

    Follow through the remaining on-screen instructions until completion.

34. Step 34: Accept the Final Setup

    Click Accept when ready to continue.

Congratulations! Your Windows 11 setup is complete without the need for a Microsoft account, providing you the privacy you desire.

Setting Up a New Windows 11 Computer without a Microsoft Account

Follow these steps to set up a new PC pre-installed with Windows 11 while bypassing the Microsoft account requirement:

1. Step 1: Choose Region Settings

   During the OOBE process, select your region location.

2. Step 2: Confirm Your Selection

   Click the Yes button to confirm.

3. Step 3: Choose Keyboard Layout

   Pick your preferred keyboard layout.

4. Step 4: Finalize the Layout

   Press Yes to confirm your selection.

5. Step 5: Setup Keyboard Layout Options

   Skip the second layout setup by clicking Skip if unnecessary.

6. Step 6: Bypass Internet Connection Requirement

   On the “Oops, you’ve lost internet connection” screen, hit Shift + F10 to access Command Prompt.

7. Step 7: Execute Bypass Command

   Input OOBE\BYPASSNRO and hit Enter to proceed.

8. Step 8: Restart for Reinitialization

   Allow the PC to restart and begin the OOBE process again.

9. Step 9: Confirm No Internet Connection Again

   Select I don’t have internet.

10. Step 10: Continue with Limited Setup

    Pick Continue with limited setup.

11. Step 11: Confirm Local Account Name

    Create and confirm the name for your local account.

12. Step 12: Set New Local Account Password

    Create a password for your local account.

13. Step 13: Confirm Password

    Re-enter the password for verification.

14. Step 14: Set Security Questions

    Complete three security questions for account recovery.

15. Step 15: Choose Privacy Preferences

    Select your desired privacy settings to finalize your installation.

16. Step 16: Conclude Setup

    Click the Accept button when prompted.

Your new Windows 11 computer is ready for use with a local account, without needing a Microsoft account!

Summary

This comprehensive guide detailed various methods to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, showcasing both standard and tools like Rufus for local account setups. Be sure to follow the outlined steps carefully to ensure a smooth installation process highlighting user preferences for privacy.

Conclusion

While Windows 11 encourages the use of Microsoft accounts for seamless integration, several effective methods allow for a local account setup. By following this guide, you can bypass the Microsoft account requirement, ensuring a more tailored experience that prioritizes your privacy and control over the operating system.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)