Here is a new and simple method to skip the Microsoft account requirement during installation and set up a local account.
Many Windows 11 users have not been happy with Microsoft’s insistence on signing in via a Microsoft account when setting up Windows, and some enterprising users have come up with several workarounds. However, Microsoft has been closing the door on many of those workarounds.
Now, a user named @TheBobPony has shared a new method on X which doesn’t involve any complicated workarounds, terminal commands, tampering with installation files, or fancy maneuvers. All it takes is a few mouse clicks.
New Method To Skip Microsoft Account Setup
- When setting up a fresh Windows 11 installation, click on Sign in on the login screen
- A window will appear where you’re asked to enter your Microsoft account
- Do NOT enter any Microsoft account details
- In both the descriptive text and at the bottom of the window, you’ll see a Learn more option
- Click on either
- You’ll then see a window where you can create a local username and password
- Now disable the few options that allow Microsoft to gather data, such as your location and diagnostic information
- Click Next and Accept
You can view the entire process in action via @TheBobPony’s post on X, which he reports works reliably with Windows 11 Home installations.
BOTTOM LINE:
This may be down to a bug; no one really knows for sure, and I suspect Microsoft will eventually kill off this method too. However, for now anyway, it is available to take advantage of.
NOTE: This method has been proven with Windows 11 Home. It will most likely work with Windows 11 Pro too, but at the time of writing, that hasn’t been verified.
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