During the Windows 11 installation process, Microsoft requires users to sign in with an email address linked to a Microsoft account. This sign-in is used to connect the device to Microsoft services, enable cloud features, and sync settings across devices. While a local account can still be used, the setup process strongly encourages email-based sign-in by default.
Unfortunately by default, there is no way to skip this step. To skip this step, do the following steps:
- At the screen during the Windows 11 installation where Windows prompts you to sign in with a Microsoft account, press “Shift+F10” to bring up the command prompt.
- In the command prompt, type in regedit to get to the registry.
- In the registry, go to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE
- In here, create a new registry key by right-clicking and selecting “New” and “DWORD(32-bit)” and name it BypassNRO and give it a value of 1.
- Close out the registry window, and type in the command prompt ipconfig /release.
- Minimize the command prompt, and press the back button at the top left corner
- Pressing the back button at the top left corner will show another window allowing you to create a local account.
By using available setup options or workarounds, users can create a local account and still enjoy full Windows functionality, with the choice to add a Microsoft account later if needed. This approach is especially useful for offline setups, testing environments, or users who prefer a simpler, account-free experience.