Microsoft account setup to become mandatory for installing Windows 11: What it means for users

Microsoft won’t allow users anymore to skip Microsoft account setup while installing Windows 11. The software giant is actively removing additional methods that will allow users to create a local account and bypass the mandatory Microsoft account requirement during the Windows 11 installation process. This change signals the company’s intent to enforce the use of online accounts for setting up new devices. The removal of these account-creation workarounds was introduced in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (KB5065797), released to Insiders in the Dev Channel. This inclusion in the testing track suggests that the removal of these local account options will be implemented in the official production build of Windows 11 in the coming days.


What Microsoft said about this move


Microsoft justifies this decision by stating that bypassing the online account setup leaves devices not being “fully configured.” This reasoning underscores the company's push toward a setup process that integrates users with Microsoft's cloud services from the start.


In a blog post, Microsoft executive Amanda Langowski wrote: “We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience ( OOBE ). While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use.Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account, to ensure device is setup correctly.”


What users should know about Microsoft’s new Windows 11 setup mandate


After the update goes into effect, users will be required to complete the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) with an internet connection and a Microsoft account to ensure their PCs are configured properly.

This follows Microsoft’s earlier decision to remove the “BypassNRO.cmd” script from Windows 11, a move the company said was intended to improve the system’s security and overall user experience.

According to a report by BleepingComputer, while the script has been removed, the BypassNRO Registry value remains functional for now, allowing users to set up a local account and skip the network connection step.

This workaround can still be used by entering specific commands through the Windows Registry Editor , which can be accessed from the command prompt during the installation process by pressing Shift + F10 at the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, provided the device is disconnected from the internet.

However, this method has not been tested yet, and Microsoft may remove it in a upcoming update to maintain consistency and strengthen security in Windows setup.