Microsoft is closing more gaps that allow you to use Windows 11 without an online account.

Microsoft Tightens Online Account Requirements for Windows 11

Publication Date: October 7, 2025

Microsoft is limiting ways to install Windows 11 without using an online account. In a new test version released today, the company is removing workarounds that allowed users to set up local accounts without internet access.

Reason for Changes

Amanda Langowski, who leads the Windows Insider Program, stated, “We are removing known methods for creating a local account during the Windows Setup experience. While these methods bypassed Microsoft account setup, they skipped important setup screens, resulting in a device that may not be fully configured after the setup process.”

Impact on Users

Following these changes, users will need an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete the initial setup in future Windows 11 versions.

Removal of Previous Workarounds

This update follows the earlier removal of the “bypassnro” method earlier this year. Additionally, the new version disables the “start ms-cxh:localonly” command, which users previously discovered. Using this command now resets the setup process and will not bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

Reasons for Bypassing Microsoft Account

Many users have sought ways to avoid using a Microsoft account during Windows 11 installations. These methods were popular because they eliminated the need for creating a custom unattended answer file to set up a local account.

Customization Options

Some Windows users prefer to avoid a Microsoft account or wish to personalize the user folder name created from their email address. Microsoft is introducing an option to name your default user folder during setup. However, this will require using a command to customize the folder name, rather than a straightforward option in the setup process.