Windows has gotten more aggressive about locking down this requirement
lately. However, there is an "official" method to bypass this requirement
on a regular Windows install. As far as I recall (I just did this when I
set up my most recent laptop), the instructions here are correct:
https://www.howtogeek.com/836157/how-to-use-windows-11-with-a-local-account/
(under "How to Bypass Windows 11 Microsoft Account Requirement Using
Command Prompt")

The key parts are: when you get to the "connect a Microsoft account"
screen, hit shift+F10 to pull up a command window.

In the command window, run: oobe\bypassnro

This will immediately cause the computer to reboot. While it's rebooting,
turn off your router or whatever mechanism your computer would use to
connect to the network. You need to ensure that the computer has no
internet connection whatsoever when you're going through the setup process,
or you won't get the option to create a local account. (This particular
command enables the "local account" option if there's no internet available
during the setup process -- "OOBE" stands for "out-of-the-box experience"
which is the name of the whole first-time Windows setup software and
related tools. Incidentally, this method used to work with the internet
connection active, but Microsoft apparently recently changed that, so now
you have to be disconnected from the internet to get the local account
option.)

Now when you get to the "connect a Microsoft account" part of the process
you might see a few different things depending on the exact version of
windows. You might see an option that says "I don't have internet". If you
select that option, you'll be given a method to make a local account. You
might also see an option that says "Continue with limited setup"; if you
do, that's the thing you want. The screenshots in the How-To Geek article
should give you the basic idea of what the "right" screen is for making a
local account. But as long as you've done the OOBE command above and the
computer isn't connected to the network, you *should *be able to find an
option to create a local, non-Microsoft account -- just be aware that MS
will try to make that look like the least appealing, or most incorrect,
option.

Once you're set up and logged into Windows, you can re-enable your internet
connection.

Note that this won't stop Windows 11 from nagging you *constantly* to
create an account, sign into OneDrive, etc. There are ways to disable all
those nags as well, but they're rather complex and numerous.

On Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM charles meyer <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> My esteemed listmates,
>
>
>
> I’ve read a busload of Googled results and watch a few YT videos and they
> pretty much share the same info regarding getting past the MS sign-on page
> when you buy a new laptop with W11 loaded.
>
>
>
> Patron bought a new Asus but doesn’t want to have to create an MS account
> and I helped him type in email accounts like [log in to unmask] and type in
> new pw but it never gets past that sign in page.
>
>
>
> A couple of sites suggested using a Shift + F10 at bootup for the command
> lien
>
>
>
> This guy has more specifics …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Td3Ba206Y
>
>  and the to type in net.exe user KerimPC1 press enter then on next line
> type in net.exe localgroup administrators KerimPC1 and press enter.
>
>
>
> Then re-start the PC by type in I the command CD OOBEE && shutdown R and
> press enter.
>
>
>
> You get an error message on re-boot but just click OK.
>
>
>
> Then once in to W11, click on User Tab and choose Add Edit or Remove other
> Users and delete the default user account name.
>
>
>
> Has anyone used this guy’s method? Any other methods you’ve used recently
> (last 3 months?
>
>
>
> Thank you so much,
>
>
>
> Charles.
>
>
>
> Charlotte County Public Library
>