How to Install Windows 11 Home without Microsoft Account

Can Windows 11 be installed without a Microsoft account?

In the past, Microsoft users had the option to choose between a local account or a Microsoft account when setting up their PCs, but now Windows 11 Home mandates a Microsoft account during installation.

Learn how to navigate this requirement and set up Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account, ensuring a personalized and convenient experience. Explore the solutions provided in this article and find the approach that best suits your needs.

Windows 11 setup: local account VS Microsoft account

As mentioned before, there are a local account and a Microsoft account on your Microsoft PC. Therefore, I will introduce you to the differences between the two accounts.

You can choose to use a local account or a Microsoft account in Windows 10. However, in Windows 11, it seems that the Home edition only gives you the option for a Microsoft account. But just like the above case, many users prefer local accounts as privacy.

Additionally, as an offline account, it has more security and you can easily log in with your password. So, in this article, I will help you to install Windows 11 without Microsoft account.

How to install Windows 11 home without a Microsoft account

Before we install Windows 11, it’s recommended to make a full backup of your files as some methods may delete everything on your device. You can backup all your important files and then upgrade to Windows 11. 

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free software that can help you back up your files or folders. It can be used on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP and Vista.

To backup your files, you should launch this software and select File Backup. And you need to add folders or files, then select the destination path. Click Start Backup to run file backup.

For detailed steps with screenshots, check the file backup page.

Also, it can provide you with automatic file backup in Schedule backup and you can backup your files with Daily/Weekly/Monthly.

And with incremental backup and differential backup in Backup Scheme, you can only backup changed files. And you can upgrade to advanced editions to enable automatic backup cleanup to delete old images to save your space. 

Install Windows 11 manually with local account

This method will perform a clean installation and delete everything on your PC. Please make sure you have backed-up all your important files. And then you can use these instructions.

You should prepare a bootable disc firstly and then you can make a clean install from this recovery disk.

Step 1. Boot your computer with the Windows 11 USB flash drive. And press any key to continue. And you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS.

Step 2. Click Next button and then click Install now.

Step 3. Click I don’t have a product key option and select the Windows 11 Home edition.

Step 4. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) and then you need to select each partition where you want to store Windows 11, and then you can click Next.

Step 5. Select your region on the page of OOBE (out- of-the-box experience) and then click Yes.

Step 6. Then select your keyboard layout or input method, then click Yes.

Step 7. Disconnect the network or turn off the Wi-Fi, then you can turn to the Windows 11 offline account option. Click the Back button from the corner.

Step 8. Type a name to create a local account on Windows 11 Home. And then type and confirm the password, click Next.

Step 9. Confirm your privacy settings and click Next, then click Accept to confirm your settings.

Now you have finished the steps and you have installed Windows 11 with local account. Then you can reconnect the Internet and enjoy Windows 11.

Use Task Manager to bypass the MS account

You can also use Task Manager to set up Windows 11 without Microsoft account.

Step 1. Run the installation process as usual. Press Shift+F10 to open the Command Prompt when you see Let’s connect you to a network.

Step 2. Type taskmgr and press the Enter to open the Task Manager.

Step 3. In the Processes, navigate to Network Connection Flow and click it, then click End task.

Now you can close the Task Manager and Command Prompt, and continue to install Windows 11 with local account.   

★Tip:

You can also type the following command to kill Network Connection Flow:  taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe

Use Command Prompt to bypass MS account

OOBE\BYPASSNRO is a registry key that causes OOBE to not require a network. By using this command, you can bypass the Microsoft account Windows 11 setup. You can run the Windows 11 installation process and when you see Let’s connect you to a network, you can stop and use this method.

Step 1. Press Shif+F10 to open Command Prompt at the same time.

Step 2. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press Enter to run this command.

Step 3. Then your computer will be restarted and then you will go back to the same OOBE page. You can click the option: I don’t have internet.

Step 4. Then click Continue with limited setup and then you can set your local account to install Windows 11.

Now you can skip the network connection and install Windows 11 without Microsoft account.

Summary

In this comprehensive tutorial, you've discovered three methods to install Windows 11 without relying on a Microsoft account. It is highly recommended to back up your important files and folders before proceeding with any of the methods outlined in this tutorial.

For a seamless and user-friendly backup experience, we suggest utilizing AOMEI Backupper Standard, widely recognized as the best free software available, to effortlessly safeguard your files and ensure their protection throughout the installation process.

AOMEI Backupper is a versatile software that provides support for various Windows versions including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, and Vista. With its comprehensive functionality, it allows you to backup Windows 11 to external hard drive effectively.

For additional features, you have the option to upgrade to a higher edition and enjoy the latest functionalities available.