"Microsoft is closing a popular loophole that allowed users to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. The change has appeared in recent Insider builds of Windows 11, indicating it is likely to be included in the production version soon. Microsoft refers to these loopholes as "known mechanisms" and is talking about local commands in this instance. You can learn all about these in our piece for getting Windows 11 installed with a local account, but suffice to say start ms-cxh:localonly is no more."
""While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use," Microsoft said. "Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account, to ensure [the] device is set up correctly." As far as Redmond is concerned, this is all for the user's own good."
Microsoft is eliminating local-command loopholes that allowed installing Windows 11 without signing into a Microsoft account. Recent Insider builds remove the start ms-cxh:localonly workaround and require an internet connection and Microsoft account to complete OOBE on unmanaged devices. Microsoft says bypasses can skip critical setup screens and leave devices not fully configured, and previously removed bypassnro.cmd to enhance security and user experience. Managed and corporate devices are not directly affected. More complex methods like unattended installations still exist, but Microsoft intends to continue closing loopholes, making it increasingly difficult to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
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