A Local Account and Windows have always gone hand to hand. Many people want an account that isn’t connected to the internet at all. Plain old simple local account. However, starting with Windows 10, Microsoft has been pushing hard to use the Microsoft Account only and made it further difficult in Windows 11. However, there is a way. This post will guide you through installing Windows 11 Pro with a local account.
Install Windows 11 Pro with a Local account, without Microsoft account
You can install Windows 11 25H2 with a Local account instead of a Microsoft account. During setup, you should choose Set up for work or school > Domain join instead to create a local account. This bypasses the Microsoft account requirement.
The following methods worked earlier, but they may or may not work now.
Choose Local Account On The Windows Setup Screen
I am assuming that you have already in the process of installing Windows 11 with a bootable USB flash drive and are on the setup screen. But if not, here is a quick guide to installing Windows 11 and choosing a Local account. Just follow these steps:
- Boot the PC with the USB flash drive and wait for the setup screen to show up.
- When it does, click on the Next button, and click the Install now button.
- After completing all the processes, you will finally reach the Account Login screen.
- Click on the Sign-in options. Then on the option Offline Account.
- Check the option that reads Limited Experience or Skip for now.
- Since you’re creating a Local account, Windows will ask your name. Put your name in the column.
- Create a good password to login into your account and click Next. Confirm password.
- Windows will also ask you to choose three security questions in case you forget your password somehow. Click on the Next Button.
- Once these steps are completed, Windows will show you privacy options that you can choose according to your preference. After this, Windows will do its initial setup, and the PC will boot.
This method only works for Windows 11 Pro.
Alternate method to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account
You can also use a command to force Windows Setup to skip the screen that makes you use a Microsoft Account.
The command oobe \bypassnro used to work earlier, but it may or may not work now. You can then try the following setps.
Continue setup normally and make sure that you are not connected to the Internet.
During setup press Shift+F10 (or Shift+Fn+F10) and then execute the following command:
start ms-cxh://localonly
The setup will unlock the option to create a local offline account and switch to the local account creation screen.
Here you can create a username, set a password and then finally complete setup fully offline.
TIP: This post will show you to install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft Account or an Internet connection.
Although Microsoft accounts are recommended because they offer benefits like syncing and integration with other devices, they also impose several unnecessary requirements.
This is why many people prefer Local Accounts, as it provides an out-of-the-box experience for end users. Even if you end up using a local account, you can always connect it to a Microsoft account in the account settings.
TIP: You can use Rufus to create installation media that can remove the online Microsoft account requirement.
Pros and Cons of using Local Windows Account
There is always a good and bad side to using a local Windows account. Even if you do not use a local account, keeping an extra account does no harm. You can use it in case you are unable to access the online account, or the profile has gone corrupt.
PROS:
- All the data is stored in the local device or storage.
- Much secure, as you can create a very complex password that works on your computer.
- As mentioned earlier, local accounts are private, data and settings are stored locally.
- A local account is also internet-independent as a Microsoft account uses the internet to retrieve all the user data from the internet. Local accounts don’t need an internet connection as all the data is already stored in the device itself.
- You can choose a custom-made name for your account instead of an email id required on a Microsoft account.
- You can still use other limited services.
CONS:
- No Cloud Storage or OneDrive
- Syncing across PCs (settings and changes you make) isn’t available.
- Find my device feature doesn’t work with a local account.
- Access to the Microsoft Store is restricted.
- It is harder to recover an account if you lose the password.
How to change a Local User Account to an Administrator Account in Windows 11?
An administrator account has considerable powers. It can create other local user accounts and install additional software to change a local or standard account to an administrator account. Given below are some simple steps that you can follow to complete this procedure:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type the Control Panel, and press Enter key when it appears.
- Locate and click on User Accounts.
- Select the particular account for which you want to grant permission to administrative rights.
- Click on Change your account type.
- There will be two options-Standard and Administrator. Select the Administrator option.
How To Switch Your Microsoft Account To A Local Account in Windows 11?
Here are some simple steps that you can follow to switch back to a local account from a Microsft account:
- Open Settings and navigate to Accounts > Your Info
- Select the option that says Sign in with a local account instead.
- Enter the existing password that you use for your Microsoft account to confirm authorization
- Enter the Name and password for the new local account that you’ve just created with hints.
- Click on next to sign out of the Microsoft account and start using your new local account.
How to create a Local User Account in Windows 10?
There are two possible ways by which you can use a local account in Windows 10. You can either change your current profile to a local one or create a different local profile.
- Open the Settings menu, click on Accounts and go to the option called Family and other users.
- Click on the option called Add someone else to this PC
- Please choose the option called I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Create a username and a strong password for that account. And this is it.
There is a different approach too, where you can choose to change. Here are the steps you can follow.
Change existing account to the local profile.
- Open the Setting menu (Win + I) > Accounts > Your info.
- There you will see an option called Click sign-in with a local account instead.
- Enter the Microsoft account password to confirm your identity.
- Once done, the account will be converted to a local account.
By following these specific processes, you can easily create a local account on Windows 10.
Hopefully, this article has cleared up any doubts about local user accounts. Still, we recommend a Microsoft account as a more viable option than a local user account. Still, it depends on your personal preference.
Both have advantages and disadvantages in different scenarios. While local accounts grant you more privacy, they leave out some of the essential features that Windows offers.
Even though Microsoft is pushing for Online accounts for good reasons, you can use both Microsoft and local accounts simultaneously without any issues. In fact, a local administrator account is always helpful.
We hope this guide helps you.
