Don't want to link your fresh install of Windows 11 with a Microsoft account? (VM for test, reinstalled laptop or whatever)

Easy peasy! You have two options:

# First option: Provide locked Microsoft account (minimum hassle, requires internet)

When asked to provide a Microsoft account, use no@thankyou.com and a random password. This account is locked, and Windows will error out, and tell you that.

You can then proceed to use any local only account.

# Second option: No internet trick (can also be used if you actually *don't* have internet)

Make sure there's no ethernet cable in the machine. Install like you'd normally do, right up to the point where it whines about internet connectivity requirement.

Press Shift-F10, and you get a command prompt. Enter this command:

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

Your installation will now restart, but at the network requirement part, theres a "I don't have internet" option. Click on that, and you can create a local only user.

Both tricks works for the latest Windows 11 22H2 too!

#windows11