How to install and set up Windows 11 without an Internet connection

Windows 11 requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account to complete the setup of your new computer. 

1. Bypass Internet Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) requirement

You can bypass the Let's connect you to a network screen with the OOBE BYPASSNRO command in Command Prompt. When executed, this command will run an existing CMD script, bypassnro.cmd, stored in the System32 folder to modify the Windows registry. This modification allows you to complete Windows 11 setup without an Internet connection. To do this:

1. Start the computer using the Windows installation media. Skip Step 6 below if you're already at the Let's connect you to a network screen .

2. When the Windows Setup dialog box appears, select your preferred language, time, and keyboard input layout, then click Next . Then, click Install Now .

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3. Enter the product key to activate Windows 11. If you don't have a product key, click the I don't have a product key link  in the lower right corner. If you are upgrading from Windows 10 or an earlier version of Windows 11, the operating system will automatically recognize and authenticate the Windows product key associated with your computer hardware.

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4. Next, if prompted, select the version of Windows 11 you want to install. Check the box to accept the terms and click Next . Then, select Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced) .

5. Select the installation drive and click Next . Wait for Windows to complete installation and restart the computer. In the setup screen, select your keyboard region and layout.

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6. Once at the Let's connect you to a network screen , press Shift + F10 to launch Command Prompt .

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7. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter :

OOBEBYPASSNRO

8. Now, the system will reboot and launch the OOBE dialog box again. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup. When you get to the Let's connect you to a network screen , click I don't have Internet .

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9. Next, click Continue with limited setup . Then, accept the license agreement and proceed with creating your local user account.

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Also, make sure to add security questions. This will help you recover your local user account in case you forget your password. Once done, follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.

2. End the Network Connection Flow process using Task Manager

You can bypass the "Let's connect you to a network" screen by ending the oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe process. Since you've installed Windows 11 at this stage, you can launch Task Manager on top of your setup wizard using Command Prompt and finish the process.

Note : This method may not always work because new Windows updates often patch such workarounds.

To bypass Windows 11 network setup using Task Manager:

1. Assuming you are at the Let's connect you to a network screen , press Shift + F10 to launch Command Prompt.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type taskmgr and press Enter to launch Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch it.

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3. Click More Details to open Task Manager in full view.

4. Go to the Processes tab and use the search bar in Task Manager to find the Network Connection Flow process .

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5. Select the Network Connection Flow process and then click the End task button . Wait for the process to finish, then close Task Manager.

6. Type exit into Command Prompt and press the Enter key .

The installation process will refresh and you will be redirected to the setup wizard. It will show some loading animation and then proceed to the next step. Here, enter the name and password to create a local user account in Windows 11 and complete the setup.

Once setup is complete, connect to the Internet. Then go to Settings > Windows Update and download all important feature and security updates. You may also notice some icons missing after the initial setup. Windows downloads these icons when you connect your PC to the Internet.

Kareem Winters

Update 12 August 2024