Microsoft removes local account workarounds in Windows 11 preview build
Microsoft has eliminated additional methods for users to bypass Microsoft account sign-in during Windows 11 setup in a recent test build. The changes target commands that allow local account creation without an internet connection. This move continues Microsoft's push for account-linked devices amid user frustrations.
In a update released on October 6, 2025, to the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Preview program, Microsoft introduced build 26220.6772, which removes known mechanisms for creating local accounts during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) setup. The company stated that these workarounds "inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use."
The removed commands include "OOBE\BYPASSNRO," which Microsoft announced for removal earlier in 2025, and the more recent "start ms-cxh:localonly." Users previously accessed these via Shift+F10 to open a command prompt during setup, bypassing both the Microsoft account and internet requirements. For Windows 11 Pro, another option involves indicating a plan to join a corporate domain to create a local account, though it remains unclear if this has been affected in the new build.
Microsoft's rationale highlights that signing in with a Microsoft account adds screens promoting services like Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, and opt-ins for features such as Windows Recall. These are absent when using local accounts, which the company deems essential for full configuration. The Windows setup has required an internet connection and Microsoft account since the 22H2 update; prior versions like 21H2 and some Windows 10 releases mandated this only for the Home edition.
These preview builds are early-stage, and rollout timing is uncertain. For instance, the "bypassnro" change debuted in a March 2025 Insider build but still functions in current Release Preview builds of the 25H2 update. Microsoft shows no signs of reversing the policy despite user feedback, even extending it to Windows 10 by requiring sign-in for Extended Security Updates beyond October 2025 in some regions.
One addition in this build is the "SetDefaultUserFolder" command, allowing users to customize their user folder name via command prompt, offering a minor convenience for local setups.