Just when you thought you had figured out how to install Windows without signing into a Microsoft account, guess what — Microsoft moved the goalposts again.
With the rollout of Windows 11 25H2, the company has quietly begun blocking traditional local account bypasses, tightening control over user setups like never before. What used to be a simple trick — typing a few commands during setup — is now on Microsoft’s radar. But don’t worry, there’s still a way out, and this guide will walk you through the last working method that still creates a true offline local account, free from Microsoft’s forced sign-ins and tracking prompts.
So grab a cup of coffee — this one’s going to save your sanity (and your privacy).
🧩 1. What’s Going On with Windows 11 Setup?
Let’s start by understanding what changed.
For years, advanced users discovered ways to skip Microsoft’s “Sign in with your Microsoft account” step during setup. You could use a command like OOBE\BYPASSNRO, unplug the internet, or trick the installer into letting you use a local offline account.
But as of Windows 11 version 25H2, Microsoft has started phasing out these workarounds. The once-reliable commands are being removed, and even offline setups are being forced to reconnect to Microsoft’s servers before allowing access.
Why is Microsoft doing this?
According to Microsoft’s official reasoning, removing bypass options “prevents skipping critical setup screens.”
But when you look closely, those so-called “critical screens” are not about system stability — they’re about onboarding you deeper into Microsoft’s ecosystem.
💼 2. What Those “Critical” Setup Screens Really Do
Let’s look at what happens when you log in with a Microsoft account during setup.
Once you enter your email, you’re greeted with a series of screens that feel less like configuration and more like a marketing funnel:
- “Restore your PC from a backup” — tied directly to your Microsoft account.
- “Customize your experience” — select “Gamer,” “Developer,” or “Entertainment” (translation: data collection preferences).
- “Connect your phone” — so your Android data can sync through Microsoft’s servers.
- “Back up your photos” — but only 5GB free before the upsell begins.
- “Sign into Microsoft Edge” — to sync bookmarks and browsing habits.
- “Try Microsoft 365” — because every setup is now an ad for subscriptions.
- “Get more cloud storage” — upselling OneDrive before you even reach the desktop.
This is what Microsoft calls “critical setup”. But what’s really happening is data linking — connecting your hardware, cloud identity, browsing, and purchase behavior into one big Microsoft profile.
In short, it’s not about convenience. It’s about control.
🔍 3. Why This Matters More Than You Think
Now, let’s move to why this is a big deal for users who care about privacy and independence.
When you’re forced to log in with a Microsoft account:
- You can’t access your PC offline if the account is locked or unavailable.
- You can’t create users without internet.
- You give Microsoft permission to sync activity data, Edge history, and preferences.
- You lose the ability to easily disable telemetry during setup.
For many users, especially system administrators, developers, or privacy advocates, this kind of enforced cloud login is a serious limitation.
The solution? Creating a pure local account — one that exists entirely offline and doesn’t require Microsoft’s servers to validate your login.
⚙️ 4. The Bulletproof Method (Still Works After Windows 11 25H2)
Let’s move to the practical part — how to bypass the Microsoft account requirement and create a local administrator account manually, even on the latest Windows 11 builds.
Follow this method carefully. It’s advanced, but safe, and doesn’t require any third-party software.
🪟 Step 1: Begin the Installation Normally
Start your Windows 11 installation using your USB or ISO image. Proceed through the initial setup screens — language, region, keyboard layout — just like normal.
Eventually, you’ll reach the “Sign in with Microsoft” screen. This is where the fun begins.
💻 Step 2: Open the Command Prompt
At the Microsoft account login screen, press the following keys together:
Shift + F10
This shortcut opens a Command Prompt window in Administrator mode right on top of the setup screen.
You’re now going to manually create a local user and give it full administrator privileges.
🧑💻 Step 3: Create a Local Account
Type the following command (replace username with your desired name):
net user "username" * /add
Press Enter. You’ll be prompted to set a password — or you can leave it blank and just press Enter twice.
You should see:
“The command completed successfully.”
This creates a local user account, but it’s not an administrator yet.
🧠 Step 4: Add the User to the Administrators Group
Next, type:
net localgroup administrators "username" /add
Press Enter again. This step gives your new account full administrative rights on the system. Without this, your new user would be restricted.
🛠️ Step 5: Make Sure the Account Is Active
Now enable your newly created account:
net user "username" /active:yes
This ensures the account is ready to use during reboot.
⏳ Step 6: Prevent Password Expiration
By default, Windows may set expiration rules for local accounts. Disable that by running:
net user "username" /expires:never
This ensures your password (if set) doesn’t expire over time.
🔒 Step 7: Disable the Built-in Administrator Account
Windows includes a hidden “Administrator” account for setup, which you don’t need — and it’s a security risk if left active. Disable it with:
net user "Administrator" /active:no
🧹 Step 8: Remove the Default Temporary User
During setup, Windows uses a temporary profile called defaultuser0. You can safely delete it now:
net user "defaultuser0" /delete
That’s it! You’ve created a clean, local admin account while disabling unused system accounts.
🧭 5. Clean the Registry for a Smooth Boot
We’re almost there. But there’s one last tweak — cleaning up leftover registry values that would otherwise force the system to return to the Microsoft login flow.
In your Command Prompt window, type:
regedit
This opens the Registry Editor. Now follow these steps carefully:
- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE - In the right-hand panel, find and delete these three values:
DefaultAccountActionDefaultAccountNameDefaultAccountSID
- Next, find the key called
LaunchUserOOBE.- Right-click it and select Rename.
- Rename it to SkipMachineOOBE (exactly like that).
- Double-click it and ensure its value is set to 1.
This small tweak tells Windows setup to skip the remaining online account steps and go straight to the desktop.
💾 Step 9: Restart and Complete the Setup
Now you’re ready to reboot.
Type this command in the Command Prompt and hit Enter:
shutdown /r /t 0
Your PC will restart immediately. When it comes back up, Windows will finalize the setup automatically using the local account you just created.
🎉 Step 10: Log In Locally — No Microsoft Account Needed
Once the “Setting up your PC” animation finishes, you’ll see the familiar login screen.
Enter your password (if you set one) or press Enter to log in directly.
Congratulations — you’ve successfully bypassed Microsoft’s forced account requirement!
You’re now in a clean Windows environment, completely local and cloud-free — no Microsoft 365 trials, no OneDrive pop-ups, no Edge sign-in prompts, and no subscription nags.
Just you, your PC, and full control.
🔒 6. Important: Telemetry and Cloud Features Still Exist
So far, so good — but before you celebrate, remember this method only stops the account link process.
Windows 11 still has built-in telemetry services (diagnostic data collection) that run in the background. These can’t be disabled entirely from the default interface.
To minimize tracking, you can use trusted tools like:
- O&O ShutUp10++ → https://www.oosoftware.com/en/shutup10
A free privacy tool that lets you disable telemetry, background sync, and hidden analytics in one click. - Winhance → an advanced Windows tweaker for disabling unwanted services and optimizing performance.
You don’t need to remove Windows updates or modify system files — these tools do the job safely.
🧠 7. Why Microsoft Is Pushing This Change
It’s no secret that Microsoft is shifting toward a “cloud-first” ecosystem — one that unites Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365 under a single identity.
Every sign-in ties your PC to an online account, allowing features like cross-device sync, OneDrive backup, and subscription-based upsells.
From Microsoft’s point of view, this means better data analytics, targeted offers, and tighter security control.
But for everyday users who value independence and offline access, this direction feels intrusive. The ability to install an OS without an online identity is fundamental — and removing that choice is what many see as the breaking point.
💬 8. Common Questions (FAQ)
Let’s answer a few common questions that often come up after this process.
Q1: Is this method safe?
Yes — it uses only built-in Windows commands and doesn’t modify core system files. You’re just creating a local admin account earlier than Microsoft intended.
Q2: Will this work in future updates?
It works as of Windows 11 version 25H2. However, Microsoft is actively removing bypass options, so future versions might block it. Always keep a copy of your installation media for reinstallation if needed.
Q3: Can I still log in to a Microsoft account later if I want to?
Yes. Even after creating a local account, you can link a Microsoft account later through Settings → Accounts → Your info. This method doesn’t remove the ability — it simply restores the choice.
Q4: Does this disable Windows activation?
No. Activation is handled separately through your digital license or product key. Creating a local account has no effect on your license.
Q5: Is there a way to fully disable telemetry?
Not completely — Microsoft locks some telemetry at the OS level. But using tools like O&O ShutUp10++ can significantly reduce it.
🧾 9. Quick Recap
Let’s summarize what we’ve done so far:
- Started Windows setup and reached the Microsoft sign-in screen.
- Opened Command Prompt using Shift + F10.
- Created a new local account and made it an administrator.
- Cleaned the registry to bypass online onboarding.
- Restarted the PC and logged into Windows locally.
The result:
✅ No Microsoft account required
✅ No cloud dependencies
✅ No setup ads or subscription prompts
✅ Full offline access
This method effectively gives you back control over your own computer — something every user should have.
🧭 10. What’s Next for Windows Users
It’s clear that Microsoft’s goal is to move toward an ecosystem where every PC user is linked to an online profile. That future may include subscription-based access, tighter DRM enforcement, or even personalized OS features tied to identity.
For now, however, local accounts still exist — and as long as they do, users like you can maintain independence.
But be ready: future versions of Windows may make this method harder or impossible. Keeping older ISOs or exploring open alternatives like Linux might become essential for true freedom of use.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only.
All steps described here use legitimate Windows commands and registry operations. Modifying system configurations carries risk — always back up your data before proceeding.
For official installation and account setup documentation, visit:
👉 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
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