• JVH Consulting
• October 10, 2023
• 0

Windows 11 New PC Setup – create local account on new machine (vs hotmail/outlook user).

When setting up a Windows 11 machine (most new machines come with this OS pre-installed) the user has to run through the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) which in Windows 10 allowed the user to select “I don’t have internet” option in order to set up a local user on the computer. Windows 11 does not have this option by default.

This solution works the best in order to setup a local user account instead of having to only use a Microsoft account in order to get to desktop.

Steps:

1. Open ‘Command prompt’ by clicking: Shift + F10 key.
2. Type: OOBE\BYPASSNRO after hitting enter the computer will reboot.
3. Once in Windows 11 OOBE again, click next to the connect to Wi-Fi, you now have the option to click on the “I don’t have Internet”. 
4. The next screen will ask again – Click on option for Limited Access in lower left.
5. Now can Type in username and password for person you’re setting up system for. 
6. Can add other email addresses later in the Settings – Accounts – Email Addresses. 

Update: Feb 28, 2024

Today I was performing this on 5 new PCs I ordered from Costco. After performing the above steps and system has rebooted – next time your in the OOBE window – Hit: Shift+F10 to open command prompt. from there type: Explorer.exe. This opens file explorer – plug in external drive with Windows 10 ISO on it. Double-click the Iso, then run Setup – this will proceed to install Windows 10 and remove 11 from the computer. Can probably do this even before doing the oobe\bypassnro command above to reset to 10 and then run through the Win10 Oobe that does give you an “I don’t have Internet” option and then Continue with Limited setup to allow you to create local account to finish computer setup.

Good Luck and comments are always welcome!

Cheers