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Windows 11 — Install with Local Account

Microsoft requires an online account during Windows 11 setup (OOBE) by default — and patches the popular workarounds with nearly every release. This page tracks what currently works and on which builds, most reliable first.

Quick Reference

Method Builds Requires
Registry BypassNRO All, including latest 25H2 Keyboard access, brief offline phase
Rufus Any (clean install) Prep before installation
Domain join trick Pro/Enterprise editions only Nothing — built into setup
ms-cxh:localonly Up to early 25H2; patched in build 26220.6772+ Keyboard access
OOBE\BYPASSNRO command Up to 24H2 only Keyboard access

Methods rot quickly here

Microsoft has patched the fake-email trick, the Task-Manager kill, the OOBE\BYPASSNRO script, and most recently ms-cxh:localonly. The registry edit and Rufus are the most durable options because they use mechanisms Windows itself depends on. Verified: June 2026.

Pre-requisites

  • Windows 11 installation media (USB or running installer)
  • Physical keyboard access during the OOBE setup wizard

The old OOBE\BYPASSNRO command was removed, but the registry value it used to set still works — you just set it manually now. Works on every current build including the latest 25H2.

  1. Proceed through installation until the region or network screen
  2. Press Shift+F10 — a Command Prompt opens
  3. Set the registry value and reboot: 
    reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0
  4. Disconnect from the network (unplug Ethernet / don't join Wi-Fi) before setup resumes
  5. After the reboot, the network screen now offers "I don't have internet" → select it, then "Continue with limited setup"
  6. Create the local account as prompted

Method 2: Rufus

Patches the installer before booting — no commands during setup. The right choice if you build machines regularly or want the cleanest approach.

Pre-requisites: Rufus (free), Windows 11 ISO

  1. Open Rufus, select your USB drive and the Windows 11 ISO
  2. Click START — a customisation dialog appears
  3. Check "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account"
  4. Write the USB and boot from it — setup skips the account requirement automatically

Method 3: Domain Join Trick (Pro/Enterprise Only)

Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise still ship a built-in escape hatch — no commands needed:

  1. At the Microsoft account sign-in screen, click Sign-in options
  2. Select Domain join (you will not actually join a domain)
  3. Setup drops you straight into local account creation

Home edition does not show this option.

Method 4: ms-cxh:localonly (Older Builds)

This was the most elegant method until Microsoft patched it in 25H2 build 26220.6772. On 24H2 and earlier 25H2 builds it still works — worth trying first since it needs no reboot and no offline phase:

  1. At the "Let's connect you to a network" screen, press Shift+F10
  2. Run: 
    start ms-cxh:localonly
  3. If a local account dialog appears: done. If nothing happens, your build is patched — use Method 1.

Common Issues

Symptom Cause Fix
start ms-cxh:localonly does nothing Build 26220.6772 or newer — patched Use the registry method (Method 1)
"I don't have internet" option missing Still connected to the network, or registry value not set Disconnect Ethernet/Wi-Fi, verify the reg add command ran without error
OOBE\BYPASSNRO returns "not recognized" Script removed in 25H2 Use the registry method — same effect, set manually
No "Sign-in options" → Domain join Windows 11 Home Home has no domain join; use Method 1 or 2

After setup

Reconnect to the network once you reach the desktop — a local account does not block Windows Update or driver installation.