A new feature was introduced with the Windows 11 22H2 version, which made having a Microsoft account an essential requirement for every fresh installation of Windows 11 on a computer, regardless of the method. This addition might seem good and necessary to ensure security in some ways, but some do not want to use a Microsoft account. In this article, We’ll be going over a few methods to bypass the need for a Microsoft Account while fresh installing Windows 11. Please ensure you read this article until the end to perform the methods precisely.
How To Install Windows 11 Without Microsoft Account
Fresh Installing Windows 11 without a Microsoft account is a rather tricky procedure. The key to doing so is by disabling a specific service that will allow you to set up Windows 11 without an internet connection. We’ll discuss two ways here, and these are:
- Using Command Prompt And Task Manager
- Using A Command Prompt Command
Let’s have a look at the detailed steps for each of these methods.
Using Command Prompt And Task Manager To Install Windows 11 Without A Microsoft Account
You may be skeptical about how can someone access the command prompt and task manager while installing Windows, but fortunately, you can. Here’s how to use the Command prompt and task manager to Install Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account:
- Start installing Windows 11 from a bootable USB drive or other preferable methods, and bring it to the point where it asks you to connect to the internet to finish setting up.
- Press Shift+F10 on your keyboard to bring up the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, type Taskmgr to bring up the task manager.
- Now, in the Task Manager, look for the Network Connection Flow Task and end it.
Ending the task will skip the Microsoft Account requirement step, and you’ll directly be taken to the screen where you have to enter the Username and create a password on the next step. This method sets Windows 11 up with a Local account.
Using Command Prompt Command To Install Windows 11 Without A Microsoft Account
If you wish to skip the extra hassle of going through the task manager, the same can be done with one command line; here’s how to do it:
- Start Windows 11 Installation, and follow the onscreen instructions. Stop at the point where the setup asks you to connect to the internet to proceed further.
- Press Shift+F10 on your keyboard to bring up the Command Prompt, and then paste the following command into it:
taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe
This will kill the Network Connection Flow task, enabling you to set up Windows 11 locally.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about the ways to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account. We hope you found the article understandable and insightful.
While installing Windows 11 with a local account may have its benefits, if you use a Microsoft account with Windows 11, you get enhanced security for your device and a seamless cross-device sync. You can also easily track your device if you lose it. If you liked the article, please consider sharing it to spread the word.
Is Using A Microsoft Account Mandatory To Install Windows 11?
With the latest versions of Windows 11, it is mandatory to use a Microsoft Online account to install and use Windows 11. This has been made mandatory to enhance security on Windows devices and improve the cross-device sync.
Is It Safe To Fresh Install Windows 11 From A Bootable USB?
Yes, it is safe to fresh install Windows 11 from a bootable USB. However, you will have to forego all your data in this process. It is much needed to back up all the necessary data before performing a fresh install of any version of Windows.
Is It Better To Use A Local Account In Windows?
Using a local account on Windows will give you a more private space as none of your data is being sent to Microsoft. You are, however, devoid of essential features like the Windows app store, OneDrive, Cross-Device Sync, and even some security features.
