How To Install Windows 11 Without A Microsoft Account

Windows 11 TEST Local Acct-2024-03-02-19-34-35

You may not want to use a Microsoft Account, but they make it challenging to install Windows 11 without one. That said, there are many benefits to a Microsoft Account, as noted below.

Here's how to setup a Local Account, based on your computer and NOT in the cloud, during Windows 11 setup. Please note that this process does NOT work during a Windows Reset.

IMPORTANT: You MUST disconnect your computer or laptop from the internet (WiFi or wired) for these steps to work. You can reconnect the internet once you're back in Windows.

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What Changes When You Use A Local Account instead of a Microsoft Account? (click to expand)

For the most part, a Local Account in Windows 11 looks and behaves much like a Microsoft account, but there are key differences:

A Local Windows Account Doesn't Require A Password

You are not required to protect a local account with even a simple password, making the system much less secure. This is a particularly bad problem if you give the local account administrative capabilities, giving someone else easy access to anything on that computer.

No Two-Step Authentication

Your Microsoft account can and should be protected with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). A Local Account is not protected by 2FA, and cannot be. Though if you use Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) and a secure password, you should be fine.

No Device Encryption (Windows 11 Home only)

When you sign in to Windows 11 Home with a Microsoft account, automatic disk encryption is enabled. This helps protect the documents and other data it contains from being stolen or otherwise accessed by others.

When you sign in with a local account, your computer's storage is not encrypted by this feature, and cannot be because the recovery key for this encryption must be stored online in a Microsoft account.

That said, if you are using Windows 11 Pro with a local account, you can enable BitLocker drive encryption manually after the initial sign in.

No Account Recovery

Your Microsoft account is protected by Microsoft, so you can recover your account from your online account if you forget your password or the account is somehow compromised. There are no such protections with a local account.

Can't Synchronize Account Settings

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows 11 uses a feature called Windows Backup to sync a limited set of settings to your cloud account. so it can be restored when you sign in with that same account using another computer. This functionality is not available with a local account.

No Automatic Sign In To Microsoft Apps

When you sign in to Windows 11 with a Microsoft account, you are automatically signed in to Microsoft Store apps. You can’t use some apps and experiences with a local account.

The Microsoft Store app runs without a Microsoft account, and it even lets you download and update free apps without signing in.

IMPORTANT: One of the steps mentioned below involves setting up and formatting partitions. This is a very risky thing to do if you have more than one hard drive or solid state drive, as you want to ensure you're working with the intended drive, as these actions CANNOT be undone. These steps are a guide. If you're not comfortable with the process, please have a local computer shop do the work instead. Refer them to this guide if necessary.

When installing Windows 11 from a USB thumb drive, go through the initial steps (including setting up and formatting partitions) to install Windows 11. Your computer will restart a couple of times, and when you end up on the first screen shown below, follow these steps.