Microsoft is closing more loopholes that previously allowed Windows 11 users to set up their PCs without an online account. The company is making it increasingly difficult to create a local account during installation, reinforcing its long-term goal of integrating Microsoft accounts into every new Windows setup experience.

In a new Windows 11 test build released on October 7, Microsoft officially confirmed it is removing all known workarounds used to skip the internet connection and Microsoft account requirements during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). This move signifies another step in tightening user control and ensuring systems are fully configured as per Microsoft’s intended design.

Amanda Langowski, the lead for the Windows Insider Program, explained the reasoning behind this decision in the official release notes. “We are removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE),” said Langowski. “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.”

With this update, future versions of Windows 11 will require users to complete all OOBE screens with both an active internet connection and a valid Microsoft account. This change eliminates previously popular tricks used by advanced users and IT professionals to retain more control over their installations.

Earlier this year, Microsoft disabled the well-known “bypassnro” method, which had been one of the simplest ways to avoid the Microsoft account requirement. The latest update also blocks the “start ms-cxh:localonly” command—a recently discovered alternative used to create local accounts without connecting to the internet. Attempting to use this command now resets the OOBE process entirely, preventing users from proceeding without signing in to a Microsoft account.

For years, these workarounds were especially popular among users who preferred not to link their operating systems to an online Microsoft identity. Some users also cited practical reasons, such as wanting to customize the user folder name, which Windows automatically generates based on the email address associated with the Microsoft account.

In response to this particular concern, Microsoft has announced a small improvement. The company is now introducing a way to assign a custom user folder name during setup—although this feature currently requires running a command. While it’s not yet a straightforward part of the OOBE flow, it suggests that Microsoft may eventually integrate this flexibility into the standard setup process.

The shift toward enforcing Microsoft account usage aligns with the company’s broader strategy of deepening cloud integration and delivering unified experiences across devices and services. For now, those hoping to avoid using a Microsoft account on new Windows 11 installations will find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to do so.