5d ago

Windows 11 is closing a loophole that let you skip making a Microsoft account

www.theverge.com

199 comments

Is it possible to skip account creation by installing while not connected to the internet?
- Nope, you need an internet connection to get past initial setup. Unless you use pro, there you can select to domain join computer instead and it'll let you create a local account
  
  You are wrong for now, it is still possible.
  Ctrl + Shift + F3 during setup gives you access to sysprep
  In an admin CMD you can excecute the BypassNRO.cmd script. In C:\Windows\System32\oobe\
  I have encountered one 24H2 installation where the oobe folder was empty, but if you copy the file from another device it works just the same
  Reboot from sysprep and you can now select "Install without internet" when selecting a WIFI
  This will not work if you're already connected to a wifi. BypassNRO sets a registry flag, so it's only a matter of time till they patch it out, but it works for now.
  Edit: Rufus also allows the creation of a local user when making the installation USB, skipping the entire setup process.
  
  this does not work for Windows HOME edition
  
  Yes it does, a client needed this documentation and I've tested it extensively. The only exception is when S-Mode is enabled.
  
  Ok, so setup a DC (in a VM on your linux laptop), install Win11 joined to that domain, create a local user, then leave the domain & destroy the VM...?
  Or install Linux 👍🏻
  
  You don't have to join a domain, it just skips the Microsoft account login and goes to create a local account
- That's what they're disabling now

199 comments