Microsoft is doubling down on its requirement for Windows 11 devices to be set up with an internet-connected Microsoft account. In its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview, the company has removed a well-known bypass script, effectively forcing all users to connect online during setup.
Bypassing Windows 11 Setup? Not Anymore
Previously, users could use the bypassnro command to skip internet connectivity and Microsoft account login during setup. This was particularly useful for:
- Business IT departments setting up multiple devices.
- Users who prefer local accounts over Microsoft accounts.
- Offline or air-gapped installations where internet access is unavailable.
However, Microsoft has now disabled this method, citing security and user experience as key reasons:
“We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.”
Since this restriction is already in the latest beta, it’s expected to roll out to all users soon.
Are There Any Workarounds Left?
For now, advanced users can still bypass the restriction with a registry edit during setup:
Steps to Reactivate Bypass (Temporary Fix):
- Press Shift + F10 during Windows setup to open Command Prompt.
- Enter the following command: shCopyEdit
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0 - Restart your system.
Other possible workarounds include using an unattended.xml file for automated installations, though this is more complex and suited for IT professionals.
However, Microsoft may eventually block these methods, so they might not be long-term solutions.
Windows 11’s Increasing Restrictions
Microsoft is tightening control over Windows 11 in multiple ways:
- Forcing online accounts: Now required for all new setups.
- Blocking older PCs: Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, making it harder to install on unsupported devices.
- Disabling old product keys: Users can no longer activate Windows 11 with old Windows 7, 8, or 10 keys.
- Pushing Windows 10 users to upgrade: With Windows 10 support ending in October, Microsoft is nudging users with full-screen upgrade reminders.
While these changes aim to improve security, they limit user choice, making it harder to install and set up Windows 11 on your terms.
Would you prefer a local account option in Windows 11? Let us know in the comments!
