Microsoft blocks bypass to skip Microsoft Account during setup on Windows 11

• Microsoft is removing every known way to bypass signing in with a Microsoft Account when setting up Windows 11.
• Commands like bypassnro and ms-cxh:localonly no longer works, forcing users to connect to the internet and sign in during setup.
• Local account creation is still possible, but it requires the use of other methods, such as a more complex installation using an unattended file.

Microsoft is tightening its grip on the Windows 11 setup process, making it significantly harder to avoid signing in with a Microsoft Account when setting up a new installation or computer. In the latest preview builds available in the Dev and Beta Channels, the company has confirmed that it’s removing known workarounds that allowed users to bypass the Microsoft Account and internet connection requirement during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

According to the official announcement, Microsoft is “removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience.” The company says these unofficial methods not only bypassed the Microsoft Account requirement but also skipped critical setup screens, leaving devices improperly configured.

“Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft Account to ensure the device is set up correctly,” Microsoft explains.

Microsoft disables online account bypass commands

Until now, advanced users could easily sidestep the Microsoft Account requirement by using special commands, such as OOBE\BYPASSNRO or start ms-cxh:localonly, during the setup process. Both commands launched local account creation options and temporarily disabled the online sign-in enforcement.

However, Microsoft first removed BYPASSNRO earlier this year, and now the company has confirmed that start ms-cxh:localonly no longer works either. Attempting to run the command in the latest preview builds now simply resets the setup process and fails to display the local account option.

This effectively closes off the last simple method for creating a local account without modifying the installation image.

Local accounts still possible, but much harder

While it’s still technically possible to set up a local account, one of the methods now requires creating an unattended setup file that includes the local user details. This approach is far more complex and is aimed at network administrators or advanced users who are comfortable with automation scripts.

Microsoft’s decision is part of its broader effort to unify the experience and ensure all users are connected to the cloud for security, backup, and device sync.

Why Microsoft is enforcing Microsoft Accounts

The company has repeatedly emphasized that a Microsoft Account is essential to “ensure devices are set up correctly” and provide seamless access to features such as OneDrive backup, cross-device syncing, and Microsoft online services. However, many users have resisted the requirement, citing privacy concerns and the desire to control how their data is linked to Microsoft’s ecosystem.

For now, Windows 11 Home and Pro editions in upcoming builds will require both an internet connection and a Microsoft Account during setup, with all major bypasses now disabled.

What’s next for the local account setup

It’s possible that new bypasses will surface over time, but as of the latest Windows 11 preview builds, all major known workarounds have been patched. These changes are expected to roll out to production versions of Windows 11 in the coming weeks as part of a cumulative update.

Interestingly, Microsoft is also testing a new option that allows users to rename their default user folder during setup, addressing one of the main reasons people opt for local account setups, controlling the automatically generated user folder name based on their Microsoft Account email. For now, the feature is hidden behind a command, but it could become a built-in option in future releases.