Learn how to install Windows 11 without using a Microsoft account in simple and easy steps.
By default, a Microsoft account is required to install Windows 11. However, what if you don’t want to use an MS account to install Windows 11? For example, maybe you don’t have an MS account, you are installing Windows 11 on a VM, you are installing Windows 11 for a friend, etc. Whatever your specific reason or use case is, you can bypass the Microsoft account requirement to install Windows 11 using the built-in OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) command.
In this quick and simple tutorial, I will show you the simplest way to install Windows 11 without using a Microsoft account. Let’s get started.
Install Windows 11 Without Microsoft Account
- Disconnect from the internet.
- Start the Windows 11 installation from your USB drive.
- When you see the country selection screen, press Shift + F10. (This opens a command prompt).
- Type this command and press Enter:
%systemroot%\System32\oobe\BypassNRO.cmd - Your computer will restart.
- On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, select “I don’t have internet“.
- Follow the remaining on-screen instructions to finish the installation.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, disconnect from the internet, plug in the Windows 11 installation device, and follow the installation wizard. In the process, you will see the “Country or Region” selection screen. When you see it, press the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut.
The above action opens a Command Prompt window. In it, type the following command and press “Enter” to execute it. If you are wondering, it is a special hidden command intended for specific organizations and institutions to bypass the Internet and Microsoft account requirements.
%systemroot%\System32\oobe\BypassNRO.cmd
Note: The old oobe\bypassnro command no longer works as Windows 11 now requires a fully qualified path to run the BypassNRO command.
As soon as you execute the command, Windows reboots itself automatically. After rebooting, follow the installation wizard again to select the country or region and keyboard layout. When prompted for an internet connection, press the “I don’t have internet” link.
Now, follow the remaining on-screen instructions to enter your name, password, and security questions to install Windows 11 with a local account by bypassing the Microsoft account requirement.
Keep in mind that once you install the OS, you can use the Settings app to create local accounts in Windows 11.
Why use a Microsoft account in Windows 11?
If you are wondering, there are a few benefits to using a Microsoft account to log into Windows 11.
A Microsoft account can provide access to additional features and services, such as the ability to download, sync, and backup apps from the Microsoft Store, access to OneDrive cloud storage, and synchronize settings and preferences across multiple devices.
These features can make it easy to manage the Windows experience and access files and settings across multiple devices.
Drawbacks of requiring a Microsoft account in Windows 11
In general, linking your computer to a Microsoft account is a privacy issue as it requires sharing a lot of data with Microsoft. While you can limit some data sharing, there is no way to completely opt-out. Additionally, it might also log you into other MS services such as OneDrive, Copilot, etc., even if you don’t use them. If you are someone who’s concerned about your privacy, using an MS account to install or log into Windows 11 is a no-go.
While it’s perfectly fine to have an option to log into Windows 11 using an MS account, making it mandatory is what most people don’t like.
Wrapping Up: Installing Windows 11 Without Microsoft Account
As you can see, using the built-in OOBE command line utility, you can easily bypass the Microsoft account requirement and install Windows 11 with a local account. Keep in mind that you have to use the fully qualified path for OOBE to work. If you frequently install Windows 11, I recommend you create a custom Windows 11 USB installation device using Rufus to bypass the MS account requirement. That way, you don’t have to manually execute the command over and over again.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to help.
Update: This tutorial is updated to reflect the change in Windows 11 installation process.
