Microsoft is eliminating more loopholes that previously allowed users to set up their Windows 11 PCs without an online account. The company is making it more challenging to create a local account during installation, underscoring its long-term objective of integrating Microsoft accounts into every new Windows setup experience. In a recent Windows 11 test build released on October 7, Microsoft officially announced the removal of all known workarounds that enabled users to bypass the internet connection and Microsoft account requirements during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). This decision marks another step in tightening user control and ensuring systems are configured as intended by Microsoft.
Amanda Langowski, the head of the Windows Insider Program, elaborated on the rationale behind this change in the official release notes. “We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE),” stated Langowski. “While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip essential setup screens, which can lead users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use.” With this update, future versions of Windows 11 will necessitate that users complete all OOBE screens with both an active internet connection and a valid Microsoft account.
This alteration eliminates previously popular methods used by advanced users and IT professionals to maintain greater control over their installations. Earlier this year, Microsoft had already disabled the widely-known “bypassnro” method, which was one of the easiest ways to avoid the Microsoft account requirement. The latest update also disables the “start ms-cxh:localonly” command, a recently discovered alternative for creating local accounts without an internet connection. Attempting to use this command now resets the OOBE process entirely, preventing users from proceeding without signing in to a Microsoft account. For years, these workarounds were particularly favored by users who preferred not to associate their operating systems with an online Microsoft identity.
Some users also raised practical concerns, such as the desire to customize the user folder name, which Windows automatically generates based on the email address tied to the Microsoft account. In response to this specific issue, Microsoft has introduced a minor improvement. The company is now providing a method to assign a custom user folder name during setup—though this feature currently requires running a command. While it is not yet an integral part of the OOBE flow, it indicates that Microsoft may eventually incorporate this flexibility into the standard setup process. The shift towards enforcing Microsoft account usage aligns with the company’s broader strategy of enhancing cloud integration and delivering cohesive experiences across devices and services.
For now, those wishing to avoid using a Microsoft account for new Windows 11 installations will find it increasingly challenging, if not impossible, to do so.