How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account in 2026

12 Jul, 2026

If you've tried installing Windows 11 recently, you'll know Microsoft really wants you to sign in with a Microsoft account. Unfortunately, the old method to bypass adding a Microsoft account stopped working. However, there's another trick to skip that and set up a local account instead.

When you reach the "Let's sign in" screen (or any network/account screen during setup), press Shift + F10. This opens a Command Prompt window. Type the following and press Enter:

start ms-cxh:localonly

The Microsoft account prompt will disappear, and a window will open straight away letting you create a local username and password. Fill in your details and continue setup as normal.

References

1. Tom's Hardware — How to Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account
2. Reddit (r/sysadmin) — An alternative to bypass Microsoft account

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