Windows 11 users fight back against Microsoft with another local account bypass trick

The Windows 11 24H2 beta channel has seen a new build, 26120.3653, which has introduced a handful of new features. This beta build has also made it pretty clear that Microsoft wants to block BYPASSNRO, which is a popular workaround for creating a local account during the initial setup.

With a detailed post, the company highlighted in July 2024 that it wants users to create a Microsoft Account for "seamless integration" of its services. The company emphasized that online accounts can also offer enhanced security and the option to sync across devices.

However, there are some valid reasons why users might want to create a local account instead. For instance, with a local account, users don't need an internet connection during setup, and it localizes the data stored in the system, which is a plus when it comes to privacy.

Nonetheless, while Microsoft is trying to block local Windows 11 account creation, users have already found a new way to bypass the online account requirement check. As discovered by X user @Witherornot1337, it's possible to create an offline account by pressing Shift + F10 during the initial setup and inputting "start ms-cxh:localonly" into the console.

@Witherornot1337 highlights that this trick is for the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, as these are the versions that now lack the "I don't have internet" option during the initial setup. The local account creation is still officially available in "Education/Enterprise/IoT" and "Enterprise/LTSC" editions.