Set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

Why bother with a local account?

A local account keeps your login on the computer rather than tied to Microsoft online. Some people prefer it for privacy, for a shared family PC, or for a machine that rarely goes online. It’s a personal choice, and a Microsoft account does have benefits such as OneDrive backup and easy password recovery.

A quick warning

Microsoft keeps closing the shortcuts. The “Learn more” link trick stopped working in October 2026, and older commands like OOBE\BYPASSNRO no longer work on newer versions. The methods below were working when we last checked, but Windows updates can change that.

Method 1: The ms-cxh:localonly command (quickest)

This opens Windows’ own local account screen straight from setup.

1. Start Windows setup as normal and go through region and keyboard.

2. When you reach the network or Microsoft sign-in screen, press Shift and F10 together to open a command window.

3. Type: start ms-cxh:localonly and press Enter.

4. A “Create a user for this PC” box appears. Enter a username, password and security questions.

5. Click Next. Setup finishes with your local account.

Method 2: Make the install USB with Rufus

Rufus is a free tool for creating Windows install USB sticks. It can set the installer up to skip the Microsoft account step for you.

1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie and the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s website.

2. Plug in a USB stick of 8GB or more. Everything on it will be wiped.

3. Open Rufus, choose the USB stick and the Windows ISO, then click Start.

4. When the Windows User Experience box appears, tick “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” and “Create a local account with username”, and type a username.

5. Install Windows from the USB stick. Setup will create your local account automatically.

Method 3: Sign in, then switch (always works)

If nothing else works, finish setup with a Microsoft account, then swap to a local one afterwards.

1. Complete setup using a Microsoft account.

2. Open Settings, then Accounts, then Your info.

3. Click “Sign in with a local account instead” and follow the steps.

4. Restart and log in with your new local username and password.

Don’t forget

Write your local password down somewhere safe. Without a Microsoft account there’s no online password reset, so make sure you set the security questions when Windows asks.

Want us to do it?

We set up new PCs every week, local account or Microsoft account, with your files, apps and printers moved across. Give us a call and we’ll get it done properly.