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Elon Musk fact-checked on X by Community Notes, was upset about missing local account on Windows

You can create a local account on Windows 11, even during setup

3 min. read

Published onFebruary 26, 2024

published onFebruary 26, 2024

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Elon Musk, who acquiredTwitterin 2022 and renamed itX, was fact-checked by his own system,Community Notes. It’s a community-driven feature onXwhere users add context to a post, usually to highlight any false claims or misinformation.

So,Elon Musktook toXto vent his frustration about not being able toset up a local account on Windowsduring installation and instead being forced to use a Microsoft account.

Just bought a new PC laptop and it won’t let me use it unless I create a Microsoft account, which also means giving their AI access to my computer! This is messed up.There used to be an option to skip signing into or creating a Microsoft account.Are you seeing this too?

Soon,Community Notesadded a fact-check to the post, which states,It is still possible to set-up the latest version of Windows without a Microsoft account.

The confusion here arose since Microsoft changed the initial setup of Windows 11. While you could earlier quicklyset up your Windows device without a Microsoft account, it now requires making some rather complex modifications but is still possible.

ManyXusers were quick to point out the workarounds, ones that still work.

yeah i saw this, they hide it, but if you set it up without internet it should enable you to make a local account, or you can make a new local accountit’s a pain!pic.twitter.com/luzL6cAjU1

You can get around it, hit shift + f10, type OOBEBYPASSNRO, local acct magic

You can set up Windows 11 with a local account

So, as it is, you can still set up Windows 11 with a local account. All you need to do is disconnect from Wi-Fi or Ethernet (basically, Internet) during the initial OS setup.

Also, you can enter an email like[email protected]when asked for the Microsoft account, type any random password, and when informed that the account as been blocked, proceed with with a local account.

Or you can always create a Microsoft account and then switch to a local account later on.

To do that, pressWindows+Ito openSettings> go toAccountsfrom the navigation pane > click onOther users> chooseAdd account> selectI don’t have this person’s sign-in information> chooseAdd a user without a Microsoft account> complete the account creation.

Besides, if you are installing the latest iteration from aWindows 11 bootable USB drive, third-party tools likeRufusoffer a direct option to remove the Microsoft account requirement during setup. Simply tick the checkbox forRemove the requirement for an online Microsoft account.

The choice for a local account is understood, especially given the privacy concerns. But, you will miss out on certain features that are exclusive to a Microsoft account. We recommend you weigh the pros and cons of both before making the final decision!

What’s your take on Microsoft making local accounts difficult to set up? Share with our readers in the comments section.

More about the topics:Microsoft account,Windows 11

Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows Hardware Expert

Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.

Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.

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Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows Hardware Expert

Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Elon Musk fact-checked on X by Community Notes, was upset about missing local account on Windows#

You can set up Windows 11 with a local account#