Microsoft Is Plugging More Holes That Let You Use Windows 11 Without an Online Account

Microsoft is eliminating all known workarounds that let users install Windows 11 without an internet connection or Microsoft account, forcing everyone through the online setup process. The Verge reports: 'We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE),' says Amanda Langowski, the lead for the Windows Insider Program. '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.'

The changes mean Windows 11 users will need to complete the OOBE screens with an internet connection and Microsoft account in future versions of the OS. Microsoft already removed the 'bypassnro' workaround earlier this year, and today's changes also disable the 'start ms-cxh:localonly' command that Windows 11 users discovered after Microsoft's previous changes. Using this command now resets the OOBE process and it fails to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.