In its latest move, Microsoft is intensifying efforts to prevent users from bypassing the online Microsoft account requirement during Windows 11 installation. The newest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (26220.6772), released in the Dev channel, includes patches that block the creation of local accounts during the setup process.
In a recent blog post, Microsoft explained:
“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 the device is set up correctly.”
Earlier this year, Microsoft blocked the popular “bypassnro” command, which previously allowed users to create a local account during Windows 11 installation. In response, the Windows community discovered another workaround using the “start ms-cxh:localonly” command, which remained effective for some time.
Now, Microsoft asserts that it is removing all “known mechanisms” for local account creation during setup. However, a new workaround still exists for the latest Dev build. To use it, first ensure your PC is disconnected from the internet. Then, at the setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt and run the following commands:
text
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0
This enables bypassing the Microsoft account requirement during setup.
Additionally, tools like Rufus continue to offer ways to skip the Microsoft account prompt on the OOBE screen. Ultimately, this ongoing situation reflects a familiar cat-and-mouse game: as Microsoft closes one loophole, the user community quickly discovers new workarounds.
