Microsoft has decided to strengthen its policy by making the use of an online account a mandatory requirement when installing Windows 11. In the new test versions of the operating system, the company has blocked several of the most well-known methods users used to bypass this step and create a local account without an internet connection.
The company justifies this decision by explaining that using a Microsoft account and an internet connection during the initial setup process (known as OOBE) is essential. According to Microsoft, the tricks that allowed users to skip this step could cause them to miss important setup screens, leaving the system in a less-than-optimal state for proper use.
Local Accounts Are Still Possible, But Harder to Create
With this update, Microsoft has disabled several commands that previously worked during installation. One of the most recent ones, start ms-cxh:localonly, no longer functions. This follows the removal of another popular command, oobe/bypassnro, which was disabled a few months ago. These changes show the company’s determination to close all possible loopholes.
While there are still more complex methods to create a local account, such as modifying the Windows installation image, these require advanced technical knowledge that most users don’t have. Microsoft hasn’t announced plans to completely remove local accounts, so it’s still possible to sign in with a Microsoft account, create a local administrator account, and then delete the online profile. It’s a more time-consuming process, but still viable.
Since these changes are currently available only for Insider versions, it will take a few weeks before they reach all Windows 11 users. However, Microsoft’s direction is clear: having an online account is no longer optional — it’s now mandatory.
