Windows 11 without a Microsoft account: there’s still a way

As Microsoft continues tightening control over Windows 11 installations, users are finding it increasingly difficult to bypass the requirement of a Microsoft Account. The company has recently disabled well-known workarounds, including scripts used during installation. However, despite these efforts, a simple and effective method still exists to install Windows 11 without signing in.

The Shift + F10 trick still works

In the latest preview builds, Microsoft has blocked several bypass methods, but users can still exploit a less obvious, yet surprisingly simple trick. On both Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, when the setup screen asks to connect to a network, pressing Shift + F10 opens a Command Prompt window. From there, entering the command start ms-cxh:localonly allows the user to proceed with creating a local account instead of being forced to sign in with a Microsoft ID.

This method was recently highlighted by user Wither OrNot on X, where it gained traction for its elegance and simplicity. Although Microsoft may eventually disable this too, for now, it remains one of the few functional ways to complete the setup with a local profile.

Microsoft’s ongoing push for account integration

The shift is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to enforce cloud integration, user tracking, and ecosystem lock-in, encouraging users to embrace features like OneDrive, Microsoft Store, and personalized settings across devices. But for privacy-conscious users or those installing offline systems, creating a local account remains a preferred option.

While this method is not officially supported and may disappear in future builds, tech-savvy users still have a small window to reclaim control over how they use their own operating system.