How to Create a Local Account in Windows 11 During Setup
Over the years, Microsoft has been trying to push users from local accounts to Microsoft accounts on Windows. With the release of Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft has moved a step ahead. Now, it doesn’t allow you to create a local account in both Windows 11 Home and Pro versions 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 and Pro in version 22H2 as per minimum requirements. However, you can skip the “network connection check” and create a local account in Windows 11 Home or Pro using the methods explained below. So, keep reading.
SEE ALSO: How to Upgrade your PC to Windows 11 (4-Methods Explained)?
Create a Local Account in Windows 11 Home and Pro 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 would allow you to move forward in 21H2 or earlier versions of Windows 11 Pro but not in the Home version. However, after the 22H2 version of Windows 11 Pro or Home, Microsoft doesn’t allow creating a local account during the setup.
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 or Pro setup without an internet connection.
NOTE: Killing the Network Connection Flow process from Task Manager or Command Prompt doesn’t work on Windows 11 version 22H2. It will only display you a screen with an option to retry the network connection.
However, just like TPM and CPU restrictions, you can also skip the Network connection screen using two simple hacks. Let’s check both methods one by one to get past the “Network connection check” screen and create a local account in Windows 11 Home during the initial setup.
Method 1: Restart the OOBE Setup with the Ability to Skip Network Check
In the first method, we will restart the OOBE setup (Initial Windows 11 setup) with a special command that allows us to skip the network connection check. So, just follow these steps.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt on the Network Connection screen
You can launch Command Prompt on the Windows 11 setup screen. So, when you are stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press the Shift + F10 keyboard shortcut. It will launch Command Prompt on your PC immediately.
NOTE: If the Command Prompt doesn’t show up even after pressing Shift + F10 multiple times, press Alt + Tab to view running apps. Then, select Command Prompt to bring it to the front.
Step 2: Restart the OOBE Setup with Skip Network Check Ability
Now type the following command in Command Prompt and press Enter to restart the OOBE setup.
OOBE\BYPASSNRO
After you press the Enter button, the OOBE setup will restart and it will launch again. Just like the first time, select Region and Keyboard settings. After you get to the network screen, disconnect the internet. Now, you will see an option “I don’t have internet“, click on it.
Next, click on “Continue with limited setup” to continue Windows 11 setup with a local account (without the Microsoft account).
SEE ALSO: How to Rename or Change your Username in Windows 11?
Step 3: Create a Local Account in Windows 11 Home or Pro during the Setup
Now, the Windows 11 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.
Method 2: Create a Local Account During Windows 11 Setup using Command Prompt
Using this method, you can create a local account in your Windows 11 PC (both Home and Pro) using the Command Prompt on the OOBE setup. After that, you can easily cancel the OOBE setup and skip to the login screen. Just follow these steps.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt on the Network Connection Screen
Just like method 1, launch the Command prompt on the Network Connection screen by pressing the Shift+F10 keyboard shortcut.
Step 2: Create a Local Account in Windows 11 using Command Prompt
Now, type the following commands in Command Prompt one by one and press Enter after each command.
net user <username> /add net localgroup Administrators <username> /add cd oobe msoobe.exe && shutdown.exe -r
Make sure to replace the <username>
with your actual username for the local account.
After you run the above commands, the OOBE setup will skip and your PC will restart. After the restart, you will see a screen showing an incorrect username or password error. Here, click OK to continue.
Step 3: Log in with the Newly Created Local Account in Windows 11 Home or Pro
After you click OK, you will see the login screen. Here, you will see a default user account and the local account you created in the previous step.
Simply, select the account you just created from the bottom-left corner.
As we have not set any password for this user in the previous step, it will automatically log in.
It may take some time to create the profile on the first login. After it is done, you will see the screen to select the privacy settings. So, select your preferred settings and you will be done.
SEE ALSO: How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC?
Skip the Network Connection Screen and Create a Local Account in Windows 11 Home or Pro During the Initial Setup
Initially, only Windows 11 Home version had the limitation of a Microsoft account but after the 22H2 build, both Home and Pro versions require a Microsoft account during the initial setup. 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.
After successful installation, you can connect to the internet. Windows 11 will automatically install necessary updates. Hope you liked both of the methods. Feel free to comment if you face any problems.