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Microsoft is blocking another way to choose a local account in Windows 11.
You'd force a local account by disconnecting from the network.
The block is currently in place in the latest Windows 11 Insider build.
Microsoft has been on a never-ending mission to prevent Windows users from choosing local accounts as they set up their PCs. Now, the company is squashing yet another workaround that forces Windows 11 to accept a local account by disconnecting your computer from the internet.
Little choice
In a blog post published Monday, Windows Insider Program lead Amanda Langowski revealed how the latest Insider build of Windows 11 is leaving users with little choice but to use a Microsoft account.
Also: Can't upgrade your Windows 10 PC? You have 2 weeks to act - and 5 options
"We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE)," Langowski said. "While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use. Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account to ensure the device is set up correctly."
Here, Langowski is referring to a popular workaround that people could use during Windows setup to choose a local account.
At the initial Windows 11 setup and before you reach the account screen, you would press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt. At the prompt, you'd type start ms-cxh:localonly. Your PC then reboots, placing you back at the Windows setup. You continue where you left off but make sure you're still disconnected. The account screen should then ask you to enter your name to proceed with a local account.
Also: Microsoft's ultra compact Windows 11 25H2 update is here - get it in a single restart
That trick will apparently no longer be possible once the latest Insider build reaches the general Windows 11 populace. And this is just the latest move by Microsoft to force people to use Microsoft accounts. In March, the company blocked a previous method that also disconnected your PC from the network. In that case, you'd type the command oobe\bypassnro; otherwise, the steps were the same.
An even older workaround let you set up a local account by using a bogus email address, such as [email protected] or [email protected]. But Microsoft put the kibosh on that trick some time ago.
Yep, it's all like a game of whack-a-mole. Savvy Windows users discover some way to force the OS to let people choose a local account. Microsoft finds and disables it. Users turn to a different method. Microsoft disables that one. Rinse, repeat.
Working workarounds
There are still other ways to choose a local account in Windows 11. You can set up your PC with a Microsoft account initially and then switch to a local one. You can also turn to a third-party utility like Rufus, which allows you to select a local account before you install Windows.
Also: This free tool installs Windows 11 on unsupported PCs - without any bloatware
Why is Microsoft so intent on preventing you from setting up a local account, especially when the option still exists? The company's take is that Microsoft accounts are more secure, more personalized, and more integrated. But with this type of account, Microsoft can also gather data about you for the purpose of sending targeted ads and promotions. You can always tweak your settings to better preserve your privacy, but that requires some effort.
New account option
There is one useful new account option in the latest Windows 11 Insider build. When you set up your PC with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically creates the name of your user folder based on your actual name. But you may not like the assigned folder name.
Also: How to clear your Windows 11 PC cache (and why it makes such a big difference)
With the new setup, you'll be able to name your own default folder. The process is unwieldy in the current build, as you have to do this at a command prompt. But hopefully, Microsoft will slap a GUI on it to make it more user-friendly.
The new Insider build also tweaks other features, including Windows Hello, Click to Do, and File Explorer. As the latest changes are just now rolling out for Insiders, we probably won't see them pop up for all Windows 11 users for at least several more months.
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