Question Setup windows without microsoft account

[Jack10525]

I am trying to setup a Lenovo laptop without using a microsoft account. I found a post here that shows the steps but it does not work. Did microsoft somehow disable this feature?
I may just try setting up laptop with windows 10 since I am not a fan of windows 11. Not sure if that will be any easier.
Here is the post I followed.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to...ut-microsoft-account#xenforo-comments-3770374

 

[iTRiP]

You can do that, still little tricky, just setup with an a active live microsoft account, then add an offline admin account, then if it's a pc that will work offline and not further require the previously used live admin account, simply remove that one to remain with the offline admin account.

Simple but a bit tricky, surely possible still.

 

[stonecarver]

It's a little in the grey area if your using the Windows installer that came with the Lenovo vs an ISO downloaded from Microsoft. Both require you to make that account but the installer that came with the Lenovo might be baked in the installer to where bypassing that account requirement might or might not be bypassed.

It's a little harder to disable the laptops wifi so the installer does not see there is a protentional internet connection to hound you to sign in to move forward.

 

[alceryes]

It is NOT against any EULA or any other Microsoft agreement to install an unused retail copy of Windows 11 without creating a Microsoft account.

To install Windows 11 without creating/needing a Microsoft account -
Once you get to the screen that says "Let's connect you to a network" hit Shift + F10. (note that you will need to hold down the function key to hit the F10 button on some laptops)
In the CMD (black) window that appears type oobe\bypassnro and hit enter.
The system will reboot and you will now have the option to continue without network set up.
You will still need to activate this copy of Windows 11, like any other Windows install.

 

[USAFRet]

I am trying to setup a Lenovo laptop without using a microsoft account. I found a post here that shows the steps but it does not work. Did microsoft somehow disable this feature?
I may just try setting up laptop with windows 10 since I am not a fan of windows 11. Not sure if that will be any easier.
Here is the post I followed.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to...ut-microsoft-account#xenforo-comments-3770374

Question: What is your reluctance to a "microsoft account"?
(just curious)

Note: It does NOT have to be your every day account.
Nor does it have to be anything like Joe@micrrosoft.com

 

[Blackink]

I am trying to setup a Lenovo laptop without using a microsoft account. I found a post here that shows the steps but it does not work. Did microsoft somehow disable this feature?
I may just try setting up laptop with windows 10 since I am not a fan of windows 11. Not sure if that will be any easier.
Here is the post I followed.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to...ut-microsoft-account#xenforo-comments-3770374

Go to this link: Install Windows 11 with a Local Account and read through the steps. Pay attention to step #16....

 

[yoji]

I am trying to setup a Lenovo laptop without using a microsoft account. I found a post here that shows the steps but it does not work. Did microsoft somehow disable this feature?
I may just try setting up laptop with windows 10 since I am not a fan of windows 11. Not sure if that will be any easier.
Here is the post I followed.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to...ut-microsoft-account#xenforo-comments-3770374

I just bought a new PC... Win 11 and did not want to use a MS account... The link you (and others have done) worked for me and I was able to set up without an account.
@USAFRet having set it up.. I must admit.. I asked myself the same question... why should I really bother.. so many services I use require me to be logged in these days.. not sure I should really worry about MS (with all the options available opted out)
I did look it up and all the "benefits" seemed of no use/interest to me.. except perhaps I will use an account to protect my key, should I ever need replace motherboard or something.. but all the other stuff just seems fluff.
Do you have any compelling reason to do it? (or do you advocate just set up with an account.. then set up a local account and use that henceforth?)

 

[USAFRet]

(or do you advocate just set up with an account.. then set up a local account and use that henceforth?)

That is exactly what I do with all my Win 10 and 11 systems.
The "ms account" is there, but rarely/never used.

Local Standard and Admin accounts are the daily drivers.