A new method has emerged that allows users to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement in Windows 11, a feature that Microsoft has been tightening since the operating system’s launch. The company has been steering users towards utilizing a Microsoft Account, emphasizing the reliance on cloud-based services for many of its features.
Recently, Microsoft took steps to close off previous workarounds, including the removal of the ‘BypassNRO.cmd’ script from Windows 11 preview builds. This script had enabled users to sidestep the Microsoft Account necessity during installation. Although the underlying Registry commands remained functional, the process became more cumbersome, requiring manual entry or editing of the Registry.
A Simpler Solution
On Saturday, a user known as “Wither OrNot” shared a more straightforward approach to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement, a method that has been verified by BleepingComputer. The process is initiated during the installation of Windows 11, specifically when the setup prompts, “Let’s connect you to a network.”
By pressing Shift+F10, users can access a command prompt. At this prompt, entering the command start ms-cxh:localonly and hitting Enter will bring up a window allowing the creation of a new local user for the installation.
Source: BleepingComputer
After providing the necessary information and clicking the Next button, the installation process will proceed using the newly created local account, eliminating any further prompts to switch to a Microsoft Account.
Once the installation is complete, users can verify that a local account is in use by clicking on the Start button and selecting their account name, as illustrated below.
Source: BleepingComputer
This command simplifies the process of setting up a local account in Windows 11, offering a more user-friendly alternative to the previous BypassNRO method. While it remains uncertain whether Microsoft will eliminate this command in future updates, its integration into the operating system suggests that it may be more resilient to removal than previous scripts.
