Microsoft is once again blocking the ability to bypass a Microsoft Account when setting up a Windows 11 PC for the first time.
The company believes that a Microsoft account and internet connection are non-negotiable when progressing through the out of box experience (OOBE.)
Confirmed in the latest Windows 11 preview builds, Microsoft has removed multiple ways that users had found that allowed them to bypass the Microsoft Account setup page:
MS:"We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE). While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use.Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account, to ensure device is setup correctly."
A ton of people online are saying that it’s time to switch to Linux, but that’s not an something I wish or can do right now.
I have a Windows 10 PC and have been stalling updating to Windows 11. I had planned to update before they end support, but I got distracted. Also, I know that I would need help to bypass having to create an MS account.
Please tell me it’s still possible to update without one. There must be a loophole.
As of right now (I don’t know whether the post above is in effect or not), you can still update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 while keeping your local account (as long as you do not do a fresh install I suppose).
But that’s assuming you’re already on a local account. That’s what I did and it worked. It was maybe 6 months ago ?
Its only in the preview builds (I.E. windows insider) for now. You’re fine for the time being, but I wouldn’t wait too long. If you make the switch, do it this month, which you should be doing anyway due to losing support for Windows 10.
I would not trust Microsoft anymore. They forces function updates to all users and who knows if they will fight local accounts at some point via forced update and not just on install. In my opinion it’s a bet if or more likely when they will do it.
“not can do” is something I fully understand, but “not wish” sounds like you don’t know Linux and you think it is worse than it acutally is. I just can speak about my own experience, but switching to Linux recently improves my daily digital life a lot, even with some downsides that come with.
So my question: what do you think you cannot do and what is the reason you don’t wish?
I’ve had Skype on my computer for years, predating when it was acquired by MS. My Skype account was also not linked to an MS address but a Gmail address. That said, it is possible that I was forced into an MS account by keeping Skype. Skype was discontinued earlier this year, though. And I uninstalled it.
It is unclear to me if I currently have an MS account, but I don’t think I do.
What is Windows Insider?
I don’t. I hate that more and more companies are leaning into surveillance capitalism.
Do I trust Linux from a privacy standpoint? Absolutely.
Do I trust Linux from a UX and UI standpoint and the POV of someone who is not super techy when it comes to CLI and stuff like that?
No.
In other words, although I know there has been a ton of improvements with Linux, I am not convinced that it is user-friendly enough for me. I also suspect that many apps I use will not be available there.
That’s exactly what I thought. If you want, we can discuss this in another thread (to not go further offoptic here). But in short: to me Windows UX/UI is far behind Linux for years and that was even true 2015 when I tried Linux for the first time in dual boot. There is only one single thing, where Windows wins in my opinion (better taskmanager). And there are even people that never touched CLI in years.
About apps it depends. Tell me what you need and I tell you if it is available in a user friendly way or if there is a valide alternative (sometimes it depends if you need it professional or not). But even Photoshop can run these days with a few clicks.
If you are open for it, we can explore it. If you don’t want, also fine. It is just a proposel.
I’ve had Skype on my computer for years, predating when it was acquired by MS. My Skype account was also not linked to an MS address but a Gmail address. That said, it is possible that I was forced into an MS account by keeping Skype. Skype was discontinued earlier this year, though. And I uninstalled it.
It is unclear to me if I currently have an MS account, but I don’t think I do.
What matters most is whether your OS actually uses that account or not. You can run a local account on your machine, while still having a Microsoft account, that you only access in a web browser for example.
In your Windows settings, you can check whether your account is connected or not. While you’re still on 10, you can also choose to disconnect and use a local account instead. Then, you can uncheck some options to prevent Windows from connecting you again, or better yet : from ever asking you to connect again.
My Windows isn’t in English, so adding screenshots wouldn’t help, but I can guide you through it in more details if you need it.
Is anyone able to confirm if setting up an ISO with Rufus and checking the toggle to bypass this is still an option? If so, that’s likely the easiest way for most people to pursue this!
We’re speaking about a preview build. So there shouldn’t be any issue yet until that preview build becomes a stable build. Here is the original MS source.
As expected, people are fast in finding work arounds. Chris Titus Tech found a way to create a local account.
The issue I have with this approach: you install your OS with a third party script and if you have no idea what it is doing, it can place malware before you even started the system for the first time. So Microsoft forces people to make unsecure installations. I’m not saying the person from that tech channel is sharing malware. I don’t think so, but I also don’t know. But it is something people forget about when they want to get their local account enabled. I’m sure there are also other “players” sharing scripts (some without FOSS code).