After officially ending support for Windows 10, Microsoft is making it more difficult to install Windows 11 using a local account.
Microsoft has just released a new Windows 11 test build (build 26220.6772 – KB5065797) under the Windows Insider program, introducing a controversial change: the removal of familiar methods that allowed users to bypass signing in with a Microsoft Account during installation.
No More Local Account “Workarounds” During OOBE
For years, users have been able to use various “tricks” to install Windows and create a local account (offline account) during the Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) setup process — without needing an internet connection or Microsoft Account. However, the latest build has closed all of these loopholes.
According to Microsoft, these bypass methods could sometimes lead to system errors after installation. The company now requires users to complete the OOBE with an internet connection and a Microsoft Account to ensure proper setup and system stability.
To ease the transition, Microsoft has added a small customization option: users can now choose their personal folder name instead of it being automatically generated from their email address.
Stricter Windows 11 Policies After Windows 10’s End of Life
This change comes right after Microsoft’s announcement that official support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025. The “retirement” of the popular OS — which has dominated for over a decade — has forced many users to move to Windows 11. Now, the company is tightening installation policies further, effectively requiring all new users to link a Microsoft Account — a move that has long sparked debate within the tech community.
Microsoft has not disclosed exactly which bypass methods are being removed or whether any will still work in future Windows releases.
For years, bypassing the Microsoft Account sign-in has been a quick and popular way to create a local account during setup, but in reality, these were just part of the many customization mechanisms Microsoft once allowed in Windows installation.
While Microsoft continues to push users toward its online ecosystem, experts believe there are still alternative ways to install Windows without a Microsoft Account. Tools like Rufus, Ventoy, or unattended setup scripts are reportedly still functional.
However, this move clearly signals Microsoft’s gradual shift away from installation flexibility — long considered one of Windows’ defining characteristics.