How to install Windows 10 without Microsoft account

To install Windows 10 without a Microsoft account, launch setup with USB media and proceed with the “Custom” option. While in the OOBE, choose the “Set up for an organization” option, and setup will allow you to create a local account.
To install Windows 10 Home with a local account, launch setup with USB media and proceed with the “Custom” option. While in the OOBE, choose the “Offline account” option, and setup will allow you to create a local account.

On Windows 10, you can set up an installation without a Microsoft account using a local account. If you want to do this, during the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE), you only need to choose the “Set up for an organization” option instead of the “personal use” option on the “Pro” edition and the “Offline account” option in the “Home” edition. This guide will teach you how to do this without disconnecting the computer from the network or making other system modifications.

Whether you want to install Windows 10 (or 11), Microsoft wants you to use its online account since it allows seamless integration (and data collection) with the company’s products and makes it easy to sync your files and settings across devices. However, if you prefer to use a local account because you prefer the offline experience, want to create a custom profile folder name, or plan to use the remote desktop feature and want to avoid problems making a connection, you can install Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. You only need to know where to find the option.

In this guide, I will teach you the steps to perform a clean install of Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. You can use these instructions to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.

Windows 10 Pro install without a Microsoft account
Windows 10 Home install without a Microsoft account

Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended that you make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned. If you choose one of these installation methods, you must make sure the device can start from USB, which means you must change the BIOS or UEFI settings. Since most devices have different settings, refer to your manufacturer support website for more specific details.

Windows 10 Pro install without a Microsoft account

To set up a Windows 10 installation without a Microsoft account, use these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 10 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option if you are doing a reinstallation. (The system will reactivate automatically after the setup.)
Choose the “Windows 10 Pro” option.
Check the “I accept the license terms” option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option to perform a clean installation.
Select each of the partitions and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

Warning: When deleting a partition, you will also erase the data on the drive. You’re not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 10.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the link manually (a security key may be required).
Select the “Set up for an organization” option for Windows 10 Pro.
Click the Next button.
Confirm a local account name to set up the device without a Microsoft account.
Click the Next button.
Create a password for the account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm the account password.
Click the Next button.
Create the three security questions in case you have to recover your account password.
Click the Next button.
Confirm the privacy settings that best suit your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” button to skip linking your phone to your PC. (You can always do this from the Settings app.)
Click the “No, thanks” button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the Decline button to skip the OneDrive storage offer.
Click the “No Thanks” button to skip the Game Pass offer.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will apply the settings and finish the setup.

Windows 10 Home install without a Microsoft account

To install a Windows 10 Home without a Microsoft account with a local account, use these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 10 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option if you are doing a reinstallation. (The system will reactivate automatically after the setup.)
Choose the “Windows 10 Home” option.
Check the “I accept the license terms” option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option to perform a clean installation.
Select each of the partitions and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

Warning: When deleting a partition, you will also erase the data on the drive. You’re not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 10.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the link manually (a security key may be required).
Click the “Offline account” option from the bottom-left corner to skip the Microsoft account.
Click on Limited experience option from the bottom-left corner.
Confirm the Windows 10 local account name.
Click the Next button.
Confirm the non-Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Create the three security questions in case you have to recover your account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the “Not now” button.
Choose your privacy settings.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) Click the Skip button on the “Let’s customize your experience” page.
Click the “Not now” button to disable Cortana.

After you complete the steps, the Home edition of Windows 10 will be installed with a local account. These instructions will also work for the “Pro” edition of Windows 10.

Update July 24, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.