Windows 11 local account setup — 24H2, 25H2 and newer builds

Windows 11 steers new setups toward an online Microsoft account, but you can still create and use a local account during installation. The exact steps depend on the build you’re installing. Below are the reliable methods, including a one-time command you run during setup and an install USB that bakes the bypass in.

Which method to use (by build)

Note: Microsoft periodically changes the out-of-box experience (OOBE), so wording can vary. The commands above remain the pivot point.

Install Windows 11 with a local account (current release method)

Use this on current release builds (24H2). You’ll briefly cut the network and trigger the local account path.

• Start Windows 11 setup and proceed to the “Choose your country” screen.
• Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
• After the automatic reboot, return to the network prompt.
• When prompted, select “I don’t have Internet,” then “Continue with limited setup.”

• At “Who’s going to use this device?”, enter a local username, then set an optional password.

Either disconnect Ethernet/Wi‑Fi physically, or press Shift + F10, then run:

ipconfig /release

Type the following and press Enter:

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

Tip: Leaving the password blank creates a passwordless local account. That’s convenient but not recommended for devices that leave your home or office.

Install Windows 11 with a local account (25H2, newer builds 26100/26200+)

On newer builds, the previous bypass is removed. Use the new command that opens the local user dialog directly.

• Proceed through setup until you see the Microsoft account Sign-in screen.
• Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
• When “Create a user for this PC” appears, enter a local username and optional password, then continue setup.

Type the following and press Enter:

start ms-cxh:localonly

Create a bootable USB that removes the online account requirement

If you’re doing a clean install on multiple machines, creating the installer with Rufus lets you pre-select options that remove the Microsoft account requirement and even prefill a local username.

Make a Windows 11 25H2 USB for unsupported PCs — Rufus, Ventoy

Create bootable media that skips TPM, Secure Boot, RAM, and online account checks using official ISOs.

All Things HowShivam Malani

• Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft: Windows 11 download page.
• Use Rufus to write the ISO to a USB drive. When prompted, enable:
  • Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account
  • Create a local account with username (optional)
  • Set regional options to the same values as this user (optional)
• Boot from the USB and start setup. At the “Choose your country” screen, ensure the PC is offline:
• Select “I don’t have Internet,” then “Continue with limited setup.”
• Enter your local username and optional password when prompted.

Press Shift + F10, then run:

ipconfig /release

Note: Writing the installer will erase the USB drive. Back up any files on it first.

Create an additional local user after setup

If the PC is already set up with a Microsoft account, you can still add a local user from Settings.

• Open Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
• Select “Add account” under Other users.
• Choose “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information,” then “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
• Enter a username and optional password.

In short. you can still set up Windows 11 without tying the device to a Microsoft account. Use OOBE\BYPASSNRO on current releases, switch to start ms-cxh:localonly on newer builds, or prep an installer that removes the online requirement entirely.