Windows 10: How to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement during Windows setup

Every few years, Microsoft is making it more difficult to create a local account during setup of the Windows operating system.



The company announced in February 2022 that new setups and first runs of Pro versions of Windows 11 would require a Microsoft account. It did not take long for workarounds to become available, but many users may be unaware of these bypass options.

Some users may prefer Microsoft accounts, as they offer some advantages, including data syncing through the OneDrive service, remote password restoration options, and other features.

Others may prefer local accounts as they reveal less to Microsoft account and are not attackable if the device is not turned on. Computer techs may also need to setup accounts for customers, who may not be available or able to provide a Microsoft account.

How to avoid using Microsoft accounts in Windows 11


There are several methods to bypass the Microsoft account requirement during setup on Windows devices.

I described one option in How to use local accounts on Windows 11 version 22H2 devices. While written for that specific version, the described method works in other versions of Windows 11 as well.

To describe it in a sentence, it is creating a Microsoft account during setup and creating a local account after setup ended. It is not elegant and requires that an email address is used initially for the account creation.

The following two methods do not require a Microsoft account at all.

Bypass 1: OOBE\BYPASSNRO


This bypass is the easiest option right now, as it requires just a few steps during setup to skip the Microsoft account creation.

Here is how it works:

1. Disable the Internet connection before starting setup, e.g., by disconnecting the LAN cable or disabling Wi-Fi.
2. Windows will display a "Let's connect you to a network" or similar screen. The upcoming Windows 11 version 22H2 does not allow you to skip this anymore to create a local account.
3. On the screen, use Shift-F10 to open a command prompt window.
4. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and hit the Enter-key.
5. Windows will reboot and return to the "Let's connect you to a network" screen. Only this time, you may select "I don't have Internet" to skip this.
6. Then you select "Continue with limited setup" to then create a local account during setup.

Bypass 2: Use a banned email address


Microsoft has banned email addresses that were used too often in the account creation process. You may use this to your advantage, as it allows you to skip the Microsoft account creation or sign-in phase during setup.

Here is how this method works (thanks Neowin):

1. Select Sign-In when asked to create or sign-in to a Microsoft account during setup.
2. Use the email address no@thankyou.com.
3. Type any password on the next screen.
4. Windows will display "Oops, something went wrong" on the next screen.
5. Clicking Next opens a screen that allows you to create a local account.
6. You can assign a password to the account, or leave it empty.

Closing Words


There is a chance that Microsoft is removing the bypass options in future versions of Windows. New bypasses may be found, which we will add to this guide.

For now, users have several options to skip using a Microsoft account during setup.

Now You: local or Microsoft account, what is your preference?

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement during Windows setup appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Microsoft account required at initial setup - no way to bypass

Windows 10 iso recovery can be used to generate files that display the Windows version and build:

systeminfo
Msinfo32
dxdiag


To bypass the requirement to sign in with a Microsoft account you must be disconnected from the Internet:
Confirmed: Windows 10 Setup Now Prevents Local Account Creation

 

Microsoft account required at initial setup - no way to bypass

I run small IT Services company (Country Computer Guy) and have install/re-installed Windows 10 many times with minimal issues. I am setting up a refurbished Dell Outlet Inspiron 15 - 7573 2-in-1 laptop with a Windows 10 Home build for a customer. The laptop came directly from the DelI Outlet. I believe it to be either 1809, 1903 or possibly 1909. I don't know the build version as I can't get passed the "Sign in with Microsoft account" screen. I want to use a local account as per my customer's request. Upon power up the Microsoft setup runs as normal until it gets to creating an account. In my experience the installation/setup defaults to setting up or using a Microsoft account but there is usually a way to bypass this and use a local account instead. There are no options to bypass signing in with a Microsoft account.

I will probably sign in with my own Microsoft account and then try to create a local account.

Has anyone else seen this? is there a way to bypass signing in with a Microsoft account or is this the norm going forward?

Thank you in advance,


+=+ performed a full system reset and the setup went as normal and I was able to create a local account. +=+

Michael

 

Microsoft account required at initial setup - no way to bypass

Hi,
Will anyone be surprised when ms starts to make temporary accounts when disconnected from the internet on clean installs.. and insist on users into creating or linking to a ms account ?
I won't it seems the next logical step for ms to do.