Extremely simple trick to install Windows 11 without internet

Just days after Microsoft controversially removed the BypassNRO.cmd script that helps create local accounts from the Windows 11 Insider test build, the user community quickly found a new, surprisingly simple alternative method to continue bypassing the mandatory Microsoft account (MSA) sign-in requirement when installing this operating system.

Windows 11 requires users to connect to the network during installation.

Microsoft recently blocked the BypassNRO.cmd script on Dev Channel builds of Windows 11, which many users use to create local accounts instead of signing in with a Microsoft account during the out-of-box setup (OOBE). The software giant justified the move as "enhancing security and user experience."

This decision was met with resistance from many users for various reasons, ranging from privacy concerns, wanting to separate logins from online accounts, to simply not having a network connection or Microsoft account available at the time of installation. While editing the Registry remains an alternative, it is quite complicated and potentially risky for non-technical users.

However, there is a new, much easier method shared by user @Witherornot1337 on social network X. This trick only requires one extremely simple operation, the implementation is as follows:

- During the Windows 11 installation process, when you reach the screen asking for a network connection or MSA login, press the Shift + F10 key combination to open the Command Prompt (CMD) window.

- Type the following command exactly and press Enter: start ms-cxh:localonly

This command will trigger an old-style account setup window, similar to the one on Windows 10. Here, users can easily enter their desired username and password to create a completely local account, completely bypassing the steps related to Microsoft accounts. The big advantage of this method is that it does not require editing the Registry and does not require restarting the computer.

For now, the BypassNRO.cmd block only applies to Insider builds on the Dev Channel. Users on stable versions of Windows 11 can still use the old script. However, given Microsoft's increasingly tough stance, it's likely that BypassNRO.cmd will also be disabled on official releases in the near future.

Therefore, this new trick is considered a very valuable "savior" for those who want to install Windows 11 with a local account. However, the question is how long this simple method will last before Microsoft continues to find ways to patch and block it in upcoming updates.

Lesley Montoya

Update 19 April 2025