Microsoft is once again blocking the ability to bypass a Microsoft Account when setting up a Windows 11 PC for the first time.
The company believes that a Microsoft account and internet connection are non-negotiable when progressing through the out of box experience (OOBE.)
Confirmed in the latest Windows 11 preview builds, Microsoft has removed multiple ways that users had found that allowed them to bypass the Microsoft Account setup page:
MS:"We 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."
A ton of people online are saying that it’s time to switch to Linux, but that’s not an something I wish or can do right now.
I have a Windows 10 PC and have been stalling updating to Windows 11. I had planned to update before they end support, but I got distracted. Also, I know that I would need help to bypass having to create an MS account.
Please tell me it’s still possible to update without one. There must be a loophole.
Some of the exploits still work because this article is referencing preview builds. You need to update now though or you’re probably going to be unable to do so.
We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE)*
I wonder why they just don’t remove all mechanisms entirely… This seems to be the route they want to go for anyway. Is it that Windows 11 is too complex or monolithic or something for them to figure out how to block it wholly? Maybe it’s a legal thing, I don’t know.
My guess is that having the ability to create a local account is useful for the developers which is why they seemingly rather play this cat and mouse game of hiding the local account option and hoping users don’t find it, then just remove it.
It does seem odd that they even allow the option to access the developer console from the setup screen in the first place. Seems like something they could easily lockdown if they don’t want to completely remove the local account button.
What’s the problem with creating an account? These requirements only apply to Pro and Home editions, while Enterprise-based editions don’t require any bypasses and offer the option to create a local account.
I mean, Pro and Home editions don’t have the option to disable telemetry, so forcing the creation of an account won’t change anything.
Account is also required for BitLocker to work properly, which is enabled by default in Windows 11. I heard that some people lost their data because they didn’t save their encryption keys and didn’t have a linked Microsoft account where these keys are stored after logging in.
I can’t speak on the technical side of things, but I still don’t follow your logic. Are you saying that only on the condition that Pro and Home can disable telemetry is it bad to require an account? This isn’t a zero-sum game. A widely used, majority marketshare big tech corporation forcing account creation for operating systems does change something: the techno-cultural landscape.
What’s at stake is the current state of affairs, is it not..? You say, “So what if they require an account? It does not change anything because Pro and Home editions of Windows already requires telemetry!” But I say in response, “Well, isn’t it bad that we can’t disable telemtry?”
I agree with you that it is a problem if users expect BitLocker to work properly without an online account when it in fact does not. But would you agree with me that Microsoft does not have to develop BitLocker or their operating system this way, such that users encounter these issues?
Why is it that we cannot disable telemetry? Why is it that BitLocker cannot work like any other FDE algorithm? Why is it that we have to link our encryption keys with a Microsoft account? And so on.
How does the installer handle it if you’re simply not connected to the internet throughout the entire install process?
I installed Windows 11 on a VM a few months ago and completely killing the internet connection allowed me to set up an offline account. Surely they have to have a solution for non-connected devices?
It is kind of tiresome to say…..but anyone considering Linux should really take the leap if they can.
The water’s warm!
Fedora KDE seemed to be the best stepping-stone for me when I switched last year.
Only think I miss is 1 or 2 competitive games that require Windows….but some devs still think Linux is a cheater OS.
Anyway, I’m curious what makes leaving Windows a non-option right now. It does take mental energy to learn a new OS, but you can run it from a USB to learn the desktop experience.
Sigh. I just installed it yesterday on another laptop. I’m still going through all group policies and haven’t connected to the internet yet. Account by pass worked for me.
If I do get locked out, I guess it’s time to learn Linux…