Microsoft just blocked a popular way to set up a local account in Windows 11 - here's what still works

""We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE)," Langowski said. "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. Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account to ensure the device is set up correctly.""

""At the initial Windows 11 setup and before you reach the account screen, you would press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt. At the prompt, you'd type start ms-cxh:localonly. Your PC then reboots, placing you back at the Windows setup. You continue where you left off but make sure you're still disconnected. The account screen should then ask you to enter your name to proceed with a local account.""

The latest Windows 11 Insider build removes known mechanisms for creating a local account during the out-of-box experience (OOBE), requiring internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete setup. Those mechanisms could bypass account setup and skip critical configuration screens, potentially leaving devices not fully configured. A previously common workaround involved disconnecting from the internet, opening a command prompt with Shift+F10, running start ms-cxh:localonly, rebooting, and completing OOBE with a local account. The Insider change disables that approach, forcing users to finish OOBE while online and signed in to a Microsoft account.

Read at ZDNET