Unfortunately, one can encounter different challenges when installing Windows 11 or Windows 10, including the Let’s connect you to a network screen. This problem at the second stage of Windows installation can be really frustrating, as the operating system does not show available internet networks, and one can get stuck at this stage during setup. To help computer users who are victims of this problem resolve the issue, this article is prepared to help them comprehend why they are getting stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen and also give effective guidance on how to fix it. Keep reading.
Why won’t Windows 11 get past Let’s connect you to a network?
Microsoft has added this option as a part of the installation process to ensure that we connect to our computers with Microsoft accounts as a part of the OOBE or the Out of Box Experience. When you are stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” page during Windows 11/10 installation on your computer, you won’t be able to move on with the installation. This can either be a result of hardware failure or software compatibility issues. In the case of the first one, the wireless card installed in your computer may be faulty and unable to detect any network around. In the other case, the network driver that enables the operating system to detect the wireless hardware is not included in the Windows image.
Windows Setup stuck on Let’s connect you to a network
You can use several workarounds to bypass the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen that you are stuck on during Windows 11/10 installation on your PC:
- Reinitialize internet connection
- Use OOBE Command
- End Network Connection Flow
- Create a Local User Account
1] Reinitialize internet connection
Going by the error statement, the primary step towards resolving the error is checking all the components responsible for a stable internet connection. In the effort to do the same, the very first step is to diagnose the network hardware involved.
If it is a wired connection we are using, the Ethernet cable connection or the router (in case of a Wi-Fi) can be checked to confirm if the internet connection is stable, at least on the hardware end.
In case problems are with Wi-Fi connections, a mobile hotspot can also be used as a temporary alternative. The below-mentioned steps can be carried out to reset the hardware components and external network devices:
- Disconnect the power cable both from the router and the power outlet.
- Reconnect the router back to the power outlet after waiting for about 10-15 secs
- Connect the router back to the power outlet and the computer and restart it
2] Use OOBE Command
Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) includes a series of screens that serve as a guide through the basic settings of Windows 11/10 during its installation on a computer. The Let’s connect you to a network screen is part of the OOBE. When you are stuck on the screen, you can use the OOBE command to bypass that phase of Windows installation. Follow the steps outlined below:
- On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press the Shift key + F10 on your keyboard.
- This will open Command Prompt, then type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press the Enter key to run the command.
- The computer will restart. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue Windows setup.
- Once you reach the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen again, you will see the “I don’t have internet” option. Click on it.
- On the next screen, click on Continue with limited setup.
- Proceed to accept the license agreement and create a local account to finish the installation setup.
3] End Network Connection Flow
This is another proven solution you can implement to resolve the problem. Follow the steps outlined below:
- On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press the Shift key + F10 on your keyboard, and this will open Command Prompt.
- Type taskmgr and press the Enter key on your keyboard to run the command.
- The Windows Task Manager will open, then click on More Details to access it in full window view.
- Navigate to Processes, and locate Network Connection Flow on the list.
- Right-click on it and select End task from the context menu.
- Close the Task manager window, and enter exit in Command Prompt to also close the Command Prompt window.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to continue the setup.
4] Create Local User Account
You can also use the cmd command to create a local user account for the operating system. This will automatically bypass the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen you are stuck on during Windows installation. Follow the steps outlined below:
- On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press the Shift key + F10 on your keyboard, and this will open Command Prompt.
- Type
net.exe user YourPreferredUserName /add, then press Enter to run the command. - Next, enter
net.exe localgroup administrators YourPreferredUserName /add. - Next, enter
cd OOBE. - Next, enter
msoobe.exe &&. - Finally, enter
shutdown.exe -r. - The computer will then restart. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the setup with a local account.
You may get a prompt message saying the username or password is incorrect. Click on OK, and choose the right account from the screen’s bottom left corner to log in and start using the operating system.
That is all on bypassing the Let’s connect you to a network page screen when you are stuck during Windows 11/10 installation on your computer. We hope that you can get help from the fixes discussed herein.
How to bypass the Stuck on Let’s Connect You to a Network Windows 11
Apart from the abovementioned processes that can resolve the issue, we can bypass the requirement. The Windows Terminal prompt is functional when the installation reaches this stage, whether for a fresh install or an upgrade. To do so,
- Press the Shift+F10 keys (Shift+Fn+F10, on particular laptops) together to open up the Windows Terminal during the installation.
- On the Terminal prompt, type the following and press the Enter key.
OOBE\BYEPASSNRO
- The system would reboot once the process was completed. You can follow the on-screen instructions to reach the page where it will again display the Let’s connect you to a network, but this time, you can choose I don’t have internet.
- Click on Continue with limited setup to complete the installation without connecting to the internet.
This will disable the internet connection requirement and simultaneously forcibly restart the system, after which the setup process will continue. OOBE, however, is not a command in Windows Terminal.
The terminal opens in the C:\Windows\System32, and OOBE is a folder in the System32 directory. The OOBE folder contains a script file named bypassnro.cmd.
When we enter the OOBE\BYPASSNRO, we are executing the below-mentioned instructions contained in the cmd file:
@echo off reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0
To simplify the above instructions:
- @echo off: Ensures that the executed commands are not displayed on the screen.
- The Reg add command adds a registry entry under OBE named BypassNRO.
- It sets the value of the key as 1 by mentioning /d 1, indicating that the No Restart Option (NRO) is bypassed.
- The /f or forced option ensures that the restart happens without displaying any confirmation prompts.
- The last command sends the instruction to shut down the system, wherein /r indicates a restart after the shutdown, and the /t 0 flag or switch sets the time delay to 0 seconds, ensuring an immediate restart.
This way, adding the registry key ensures that OOBE doesn’t require a network or connect to the Microsoft account during the installation to complete the installation process.
Should I connect to the internet when installing Windows?
While Microsoft is making it compulsory, it is not necessary. You can always skip and set things later, including installing updates that Windows downloads to complete the setup. However, if you use a Microsoft account, it’s best to connect to the internet and get a better experience after the setup.
Can I reinstall Windows for free?
You can either use a bootable USB drive to reset Windows under advanced options, or you can use the Reset this PC option in Windows settings to reinstall Windows.
Why can Windows 11 not connect to Wi-Fi?
When you are on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen during Windows 11/10 installation, you have to select a network to establish an internet connection with. Faulty wireless hardware may prevent your computer from detecting any network around, and you must also ensure that you provide the correct password to connect to the hotspot around.
Can my laptop be too old to connect to a Wi-Fi connection?
Yes, an old laptop can establish a Wi-Fi connection with a hotspot host. What is important is that the wireless card in the laptop is working well, and the driver software is installed on the computer.
