We tested the simple Windows 11 account bypass and it works. Just no-one tell Microsoft
Oh, what could be.
Microsoft has been required for users to set up a Microsoft account during the fresh installation of Windows 11. However, a simple oversight has been discovered that allows users to bypass this requirement. According to Windows Latest, after completing the usual setup screens and connecting to the internet, click on the small "learn more" link within the paragraph about sign-in options (as opposed to the one next to the big blue "Next" button).
This takes users directly to the "Who's going to use this device?" screen where they can create a local account by entering a password and setting three security questions. This bypass has been reported by @TheBobPony on X, and Windows Latest tested it on a virtual machine, only finding the bypass in Windows Insider preview builds.
It remains unclear if this issue exists in other versions of Windows 11. Interestingly, the option for local account creation appears to have been removed from the standard installation process. Despite Microsoft's efforts to make installing Windows harder without internet access and a Microsoft account, this workaround seems to be a bug rather than a feature.
Written by urgent.news from PC Gamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
