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1 month ago
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Microsoft has released its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (KB5065797) in the Dev Channel. While it introduces some new Copilot-powered features and updates to Windows Hello, it also rings a death sentence to bypassing Microsoft Online Account, which is now mandatory for everyone. Microsoft has doubled-down on making users sign in with their Microsoft Online Account, and local-only installations are no longer possible at the time of writing. Although new workarounds will likely emerge over time, Microsoft has successfully closed off the most accessible and widely known methods for avoiding Microsoft account creation in recent Windows 11 preview releases. Since these changes currently exist only in preview versions, several weeks will probably pass before they reach the stable, public releases of Windows 11. The latest Windows Blog confirms:
MicrosoftWe are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE). While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use. Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account, to ensure device is setup correctly.
Microsoft has made it clear that Windows 11 installation requires both a Microsoft account and active internet connectivity, and the company is systematically eliminating the simpler workarounds that previously allowed users to skip this requirement. While alternative methods remain available, they now demand significantly more technical expertise, specifically requiring users to modify the Windows installation image beforehand by configuring an unattended setup that includes a local account, a process that proves challenging for average users. Commands like "oobe/bypassnro" and the starting "ms-cxh:localonly" will not give you the desired workaround, as Microsoft has patched that as well.
