Windows 11 has been making waves in the tech world since its release, with its sleek design and new features. However, one aspect that has caused frustration for many users is the requirement to sign in with a Microsoft account. While this may be convenient for some, others may prefer to use a local account instead. In this article, we will discuss how to bypass the Microsoft account requirement on windows 11 and use a local account instead.
Why Bypass the Microsoft Account Requirement?
Before we dive into the steps to bypass the Microsoft account requirement, let’s first understand why you may want to do so.
Privacy Concerns
One of the main reasons users may want to bypass the Microsoft account requirement is due to privacy concerns. When using a Microsoft account, your personal information and data are stored on Microsoft’s servers. This may make some users uncomfortable, especially if they are using a shared or public computer.
Preference for Local Account
Some users simply prefer to use a local account instead of a Microsoft account. A local account is tied to your computer and does not require an internet connection to log in. This can be beneficial for those who do not have a stable internet connection or do not want to rely on an online account.
Shift + F10 Not Working
Another reason users may want to bypass the Microsoft account requirement is if they are unable to use the Shift + F10 shortcut to access the command prompt during the setup process. This shortcut is used to open the command prompt and bypass the account setup, but it may not work for all users.
How to Bypass the Microsoft Account Requirement
Now that we understand the reasons for bypassing the Microsoft account requirement, let’s discuss the steps to do so.
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
The first step is to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 11 installation files. You can do this by downloading the Windows 11 ISO file from the Microsoft website and using a tool like Rufus to create the bootable USB drive.
Step 2: Boot from the USB Drive
Once you have the bootable USB drive, insert it into your computer and restart your computer. As your computer is booting up, press the key to access the boot menu (usually F12 or Esc). Select the USB drive as the boot device and press Enter.
Step 3: Access the Command Prompt
When the Windows 11 setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt. If this shortcut does not work for you, you can also click on the “Repair your computer” option and then select “Troubleshoot” and “Advanced options” to access the command prompt.
Step 4: Replace Utilman with Command Prompt
In the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\
This will create a backup of the Utilman file in the root directory of your C drive.
Next, type the following command and press Enter:
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
This will replace the Utilman file with the command prompt.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Type “exit” in the command prompt and press Enter. This will close the command prompt and take you back to the Windows 11 setup screen. Click on the “Continue” button to restart your computer.
Step 6: Bypass the Microsoft Account Requirement
When your computer restarts, you will see the login screen. Click on the “Ease of Access” button in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open the command prompt.
In the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
net user [username] [password] /add
Replace username with the username you want to use for your local account and password with the password you want to use. This will create a new local account on your computer.
Next, type the following command and press Enter:
net localgroup administrators [username] /add
This will add the new account to the administrators group, giving it full access to your computer.
Step 7: Log in with Your New Local Account
Close the command prompt and click on the “Sign out” button on the login screen. You will now see your new local account listed as an option to log in. Select it and enter the password you set in the previous step to log in.
Congratulations, you have successfully bypassed the Microsoft account requirement on Windows 11 and are now using a local account instead.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues during the setup process or are unable to log in with your new local account, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
Check Your Commands
Make sure you have entered the commands correctly in the command prompt. Any typos or mistakes can cause issues.
Check Your Keyboard Layout
If you are using a non-US keyboard layout, make sure you are using the correct keys for the commands. For example, the “/” key may be in a different location on your keyboard.
Check Your Account Name
If you are unable to log in with your new local account, make sure you are using the correct account name. If you used spaces or special characters in the username, make sure you are using quotes around the name when entering the command.
Conclusion
While the Microsoft account requirement on Windows 11 may be convenient for some users, it can be a hassle for others. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily bypass the requirement and use a local account instead. This will give you more control over your privacy and how you log in to your computer.
