How to Create Local Account in Windows 11 Home During Setup

Over the years, Microsoft is trying to push users from local accounts to Microsoft accounts on Windows. With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has moved a step ahead. It doesn’t allow you to create a local account in Windows 11 Home during the initial setup. So, the only option you are left with is the Microsoft account.

Even if you try to disconnect the internet from your PC, it doesn’t allow you to move forward. Officially, you can’t skip the Network connection screen. Besides that, the Microsoft account is mandatory for Windows 11 Home as per minimum requirements. However, you can skip “network connection check” and create a local account in Windows 11 home using this hack. So, keep reading.

SEE ALSO: How to Upgrade your PC to Windows 11 (4-Methods Explained)?

Create Local Account in Windows 11 Home During Initial Setup

When you start Windows 11 installation on your PC, it goes through the same steps for all editions until the Network Connection check screen. During Network connection settings, if you disconnect the internet or you don’t have internet, it won’t allow you to move forward.

You will see the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen with the Next button greyed out. So, officially, you can’t complete your Windows 11 home setup without an internet connection.

However, just like TPM and CPU restrictions, you can also skip the Network connection screen using a simple hack. Just follow these steps to get past the “Network connection check” screen and create a local account in Windows 11 Home during the initial setup.

Step 1: Launch Task Manager on Network Connection screen

You can launch Task Manager on Windows 11 Home setup screen. So, when you are stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut. It will launch Task Manager on your PC immediately.

Task Manager will launch in minimal mode by default. So, click on More details at the bottom to expand Task Manger to full view.

NOTE: If Task Manager doesn’t launch even after pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc multiple times, press Alt + Tab to view running apps. Then, select Task Manager to bring it to front.

SEE ALSO: Try the New Alt+Tab Switcher in Windows 11 Insider Builds?

Step 2: End ‘Network Connection Flow’ Process from Task Manager

Now, in full view of Task Manager, scroll down and select Network Connection Flow process. This process is responsible for internet connection detection during Windows 11 setup.

So, to proceed further without an internet connection on Windows 11 Home, select this process and click the End Task button.

NOTE: Do not end “Microsoft Account” process in Task Manager, it will restart Windows 11 OOBE setup again. Then, you will have to start over again.

ALTERNATIVE: Kill ‘Network Connection Flow’ Process using Command Prompt

Instead of using Task Manager on the network selection screen, you can also launch Command Prompt. So, if you don’t want to use Task Manager, press Shift + F10 keys on the keyboard to launch Command Prompt. It will launch the Command Prompt with administrator rights.

Now, you can use TASKKILL command to end the “Network Connection Flow” process. So, type the following command in the command prompt and press Enter.

taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe

SEE ALSO: How to Rename or Change your Username in Windows 11?

Step 3: Create Local Account in Windows 11 Home during Setup

After you kill the Network Connection Flow process, you will see a loading screen for a while. After that, Windows 11 Home setup will redirect you to the local account creation page.

Here, type a name for your local account and click the Next button.

After that, you will see the password screen. So, create a password for your local account or leave it blank. Remember if you type in a password, you will also have to set up 3 security questions.

SEE ALSO: How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC?

Skip Network Connection Screen and Create Local Account in Windows 11 Home during Initial Setup

The rest of the steps are the same as in other versions of Windows 11. After completing the setup, you will see your Windows 11 desktop. You can verify your user in Settings > Accounts > Your Info. Windows 11 Home version also doesn’t have features like Group Policy Editor and Hyper-V. However, you can use this method to enable Group Policy Editor.

Well, after you successfully installed Windows 11 Home on your PC, you can connect to the internet. Windows 11 will automatically install necessary updates. Hope you liked this guide. Feel free to comment if you face any problems.