Do you have Windows 10 Home, and do you want to use it without a Microsoft account? Do you want to install Windows 11 (Home or Pro) using a local account? You can do these things, even though Microsoft makes things too complicated. Our guide shares the steps you need to follow when installing Windows 11 and after you’ve installed it and want to switch to a local offline account instead of a Microsoft account. Let’s get started:
CONTENTS
- By default, Windows 11 enforces the use of a Microsoft account
- How to install Windows 11 with a local account
- How to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?
- Did you manage to switch to a local account in Windows 11?
By default, Windows 11 enforces the use of a Microsoft account
When you install or personalize a new PC with Windows 11 (both Home or Pro), Microsoft asks you to use a Microsoft account, and you don’t see any mentions about creating a local account. If you’re installing or using Windows 11 Pro, you see a link named “Sign-in options.”
Windows 11 Pro gives you more Sign-in options.
If you click or tap on it, you can choose an Offline account – a standard local account, like the ones used in Windows 7.
Choose an Offline account if you don’t want a Microsoft account
However, on Windows 11 Home, the Sign-in options are missing, and you can’t go ahead unless you create a Microsoft account.
How to install Windows 11 with a local account
Follow our guide on How to install Windows 11 from USB, DVD, or ISO, and when you get to the step asking you to name your device, enter it, press Next, and then pay attention to our instructions.
After you set up the device name, stop and pay attention
Press SHIFT+F10 on your keyboard to open Command Prompt. In the Command Prompt window, type or copy and paste the following command:
taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe
Press Enter to run the command. If you see the message SUCCESS, shown in the screenshot below, the networking service used by the Windows 11 setup to connect to Microsoft’s servers is terminated.
Terminate OOBENetworkConnectionFlow.exe
Because it can’t connect to Microsoft’s servers, the Windows 11 setup now asks you to enter an account name for the person using your PC. This account is a local account instead of a Microsoft one.
Enter the name for your local account
You then enter the password for the local account, set the security questions, and continue with the usual personalization process for your Windows 11 installation.
How to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?
If Windows 11 (Home or Pro) is already installed on your computer and personalized with a Microsoft account, you can switch to a local account and delete your Microsoft account like this:
- Sign in with your existing Microsoft account. It should have administrative permissions.
- Create a local account using the instructions from this guide: 5 ways to create and add a new user in Windows 11.
- New accounts are initially set by Windows 11 as standard accounts without administrator permissions. Change the account type to Administrator for the newly created local account using this guide: How to change the Administrator on Windows 11.
- Personalize your newly added local account as you wish: install all your apps, configure them, set the desktop wallpaper, and so on.
- After the local account is functioning, remove your Microsoft account from Windows 11, using the steps from this guide: How to remove an account from Windows.
Add a user without a Microsoft account to Windows 11
Congratulations! You now use Windows 11 with a local offline account that doesn’t send personal data to Microsoft.
TIP: You can also switch to a Windows 11 local account from a Microsoft one.
Did you manage to switch to a local account in Windows 11?
I hope this guide has managed to help you make the switch from a Microsoft account to a local offline account with administrator permissions. If you have any questions or you’ve encountered problems along the way, don’t hesitate to comment below. Also, if you appreciate this guide, don’t hesitate to share it on social media. Others may find it helpful too.