With Windows 11, Microsoft wants you to use Windows with your Microsoft account on Home edition or Pro for [er personal use. However, you may have multiple options to create a local account on Windows 11. Note: If you have another edition of Windows, or if you’re setting up Windows 11 Pro for work or school use, you won’t need to do any of this. Connecting to the internet is optional, and even if you do connect to the internet, you can choose not to use a Microsoft account anyway, even though Microsoft will try to push you to do it.
Option 1: Disconnecting from the internet
During the setup process, after connecting to the internet, your computer will check for updates, and then you’ll see a license agreement. At this point, you can disconnect from the internet in a couple of ways. If you’re using a laptop connected via Wi-Fi, look for a button that disables Wi-Fi altogether, or one that enables airplane mode (thus disabling Wi-Fi). Alternatively, if you connected via Ethernet, simply disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer.
Once you do that, you’ll be able to create a local account instead and proceed with the process.
Option 2: Using Command Prompt
If your computer doesn’t have an easy way to disconnect from the internet, the alternative is to use Command Prompt, which can be summoned during the setup process. When you get to the license agreement page mentioned above, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Here, enter the following text, and then press Enter:
ipconfig /release
This will disconnect you from the internet, and you can follow the same steps above to finish setting up your PC.
Option 3: Login Microsoft account first and switch to a local account
