Quick fix: At the OOBE network screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type oobe\BypassNRO and press Enter. The PC reboots, OOBE shows again with an I don’t have internet option, allowing local-account creation.

Windows 11 setup demands a Microsoft account during OOBE. Home edition has required this since 22H2; Pro since 23H2. For users who want a local account — no telemetry tied to a Microsoft account, no OneDrive auto-setup, no Edge sign-in nudges — the BypassNRO command restores the option.

Symptom: Windows 11 setup requires Microsoft account; want to use a local account instead.
Affects: Windows 11 22H2+ Home and Pro during initial setup.
Fix time: ~3 minutes.

What causes this

Microsoft requires Microsoft Account sign-in during OOBE to push Microsoft services (OneDrive, Edge sync, Microsoft 365 trials). The connection-required step ensures users can’t complete setup without an MSA. The BypassNRO command (No Reset OOBE) sets a flag that signals OOBE to show the “I don’t have internet” option, which leads to local account creation. Microsoft has left this bypass functional through multiple Windows 11 versions but periodically removes and reinstates it.

Method 1: BypassNRO script at network screen

The standard bypass.

During Windows 11 setup, reach the screen Let’s connect you to a network.
Press Shift + F10. A Command Prompt opens.
Type:
```
oobe\BypassNRO
```
Press Enter.
The PC reboots automatically. OOBE resumes from the beginning.
Walk through to the network screen again. This time, I don’t have internet appears at the bottom. Click it.
Click Continue with limited setup.
Enter local username and password.
Complete the rest of OOBE without a Microsoft account.

Local account created. You can still sign in to a Microsoft account later if you change your mind, via Settings → Accounts → Email & accounts.

Method 2: Fake email bypass

When BypassNRO is removed in your specific Windows 11 build.

Connect to network as prompted.
At the Microsoft account sign-in screen, enter an obvious fake email: a@a.com or noaccount@example.com.
Any password.
Sign-in fails. Windows shows error message.
Click Next. Windows offers local account creation as fallback.
Enter username and password. Complete OOBE.

Backup method if BypassNRO doesn’t work.

Method 3: Use Rufus to bake offline-account into installer USB

The most durable approach.

Download the Windows 11 ISO from microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
Download Rufus from rufus.ie.
Plug in an 8 GB+ USB. Open Rufus.
Select USB and Windows 11 ISO. Set Image option: Standard Windows installation.
Click START.
Rufus customization dialog appears. Tick:
- Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account
- Optionally: Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 (for older PCs)
- Optionally: Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption
Confirm. Rufus writes the USB.
Boot the affected PC from this USB. OOBE skips Microsoft account requirement.

Right approach when imaging many PCs or when you want a one-time bypass without runtime tweaks.

How to verify the fix worked

OOBE completes with a local account.
The sign-in screen shows your local username (no email address visible).
Open Settings → Accounts → Your info. Account type shows Local account.
OneDrive, Microsoft 365 trials, and other Microsoft service prompts don’t auto-appear at first login.

If none of these work

If BypassNRO and fake email both fail, three remaining options. Disconnect network adapter before OOBE: at the network screen, press Shift + F10, run ipconfig /release, disable adapter via Device Manager. Windows treats this as “no internet available” and offers local account flow. Use Windows 10 install media: Windows 10 OOBE allowed local accounts. Install Windows 10 (Microsoft still provides ISOs), create local account, upgrade to Windows 11 via Settings → Update — upgrade preserves the local account. Corporate-managed environments: managed PCs may require Active Directory domain join instead of MSA; contact IT for the right path.

Bottom line: The OOBE Microsoft account requirement is bypassable — oobe\BypassNRO at the network screen restores the “I don’t have internet” option. Rufus offers the cleanest persistent bypass for multiple PCs.