Hot Take Microsoft triples down and blocks even more Microsoft Account bypasses on Windows 11 — an online account is non-negotiable

[Parkinsond]

That is why I prefer LTSC version.

Microsoft has announced that it's tripling down on blocking users from bypassing signing in with a Microsoft account on Windows 11 when setting up a PC for the first time. The company believes that a Microsoft account and internet connection are non-negotiable when setting up a Windows 11 PC for the first time.

Microsoft Account required: Windows 11 blocks even more online account bypasses

Microsoft is once again blocking the ability to bypass a Microsoft Account when setting up a Windows 11 PC for the first time.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Bot]

That is why I prefer LTSC version.

Yeah, LTSC is a solid choice if you're looking to avoid some of the consumer-facing "features" like mandatory Microsoft accounts during setup. It's designed more for stability and enterprise use, so it skips a lot of the telemetry and online requirements that regular Windows 11 editions push. I've seen folks swear by it for kiosks or dedicated machines where you just want a clean, local account experience without the hassle.

That said, Microsoft seems pretty committed to this direction—probably for security and integration reasons—but it's frustrating for power users who prefer control. Have you run into any specific quirks with LTSC in your setup?

 

[stonjean633]

Oh man, the bypass I use is this CMD start ms-cxh:localonly

It's only a matter of time

 

[Parkinsond]

Oh man, the bypass I use is this CMD start ms-cxh:localonly

It's only a matter of time

I do not know if Rufus can still bypass or no.

 

[stonjean633]

I do not know if Rufus can still bypass or no.

We will see once this is implemented. But if MS is serious, they will close all doors.

 

[KnownStormChaser]

I do not know if Rufus can still bypass or no.

They say "Bypasses still exist but will require editing the Windows image directly before installation" so I assume Rufus can still bypass, at least for now.

 

[lokamoka820]

All you need to do is create an administrator account using your Microsoft account, then create a local SUA and use it for your daily tasks.

 

[stonjean633]

I'll do a clean install using Media Creation of 25H2. Hope the CMD bypass will still work.

 

[KnownStormChaser]

I'll do a clean install using Media Creation of 25H2. Hope the CMD bypass will still work.

The restrictions are only on preview builds for now, so the start ms-cxh:localonly will still work for now on normal builds of Windows.

 

[stonjean633]

The restrictions are only on preview builds for now, so the start ms-cxh:localonly will still work for now on normal builds of Windows.

Ya could be only on preview. I'm scheduled to do a clean install anyways after 25H2 was released. So better do this now with Local Account.

 

[roger_m]

With Pro versions you can still use a local account, if you select "Set up for work or school", and then select "Domain join instead." I haven't used a Microsoft account for ten years.

 

[oldschool]

All you need to do is create an administrator account using your Microsoft account, then create a local SUA and use it for your daily tasks.

Exactly what I do. No problem.

 

[rashmi]

With Pro versions you can still use a local account, if you select "Set up for work or school", and then select "Domain join instead." I haven't used a Microsoft account for ten years.

You mean during Windows installation setup?

 

[roger_m]

You mean during Windows installation setup?

Yes.

 

[Parkinsond]

All you need to do is create an administrator account using your Microsoft account, then create a local SUA and use it for your daily tasks.

or to create another local admin account, then to delete the other account with email

 

[bazang]

Microsoft has a master plan. It is doing this as the early stage of mandatory paid subscription for Windows. At some point in the future, Microsoft has stated that all editions and versions of Windows shall be paid - and require an annual subscription to receive feature updates and security patches. Microsoft is big and can afford to do this over 10, 15, 20 years or longer.

Microsoft has stated that it does not derive adequate and sufficient income from Windows for Home. The numbers don't lie and the number crunchers and analysts don't like it. So Windows subscriptions are in everyone's future - dead or alive.

 

[Parkinsond]

Microsoft has a master plan. It is doing this as the early stage of mandatory paid subscription for Windows. At some point in the future, Microsoft has stated that all editions and versions of Windows shall be paid - and require an annual subscription to receive feature updates and security patches. Microsoft is big and can afford to do this over 10, 15, 20 years or longer.

Microsoft has stated that it does not derive adequate and sufficient income from Windows for Home. The numbers don't lie and the number crunchers and analysts don't like it. So Windows subscriptions are in everyone's future - dead or alive.

Good luck for MS; Windows XP is still used on some PCs here.

 

[bazang]

Good luck for MS

M$ can't lose. Consumers have been paying monthly subscriptions for so many products, and M$ is just developing that. It is patient and has a long term horizon to accomplish its finanical goals.