NineLizards: How to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account and / or TPM

Windows.

In the past you could install Windows 11 with a local account. These days? Not so. You MUST create a Microsoft Account to install Windows 11. That's... ridiculous. Can't even install a PC anymore without an internet connection.

Phones

I understand the concept for mobile phones and tablets: those devices are intended to be connected. That's their whole purpose in life. But my PC is my PC. It ain't Microsoft's. And stop fucking around pushing Edge on me. Stop. Just. Fucking. Stop!

Sigh.

If I feel up to it I will add a full description. See this post as a placeholder and collection of links.

Installing Windows 10 / 11 without a Windows account (1)

... is probably still possible, but a lot of hassle. If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 no longer gives you an option to install without a Microsoft account AND you can live with a temporary Windows account (which you're never going to use afterward anyway) AND have Internet access:

1. Install Windows 11 with a Microsoft account, create one if necessary (write down name and password, just in case). We'll call this the 'install' account
2. Log in, update everything
3. Go to Settings / Accounts / Account Settings / Other Users
4. Create a new Admin account (write down name and password)
5. Create a new Standard account (write down name and password)
5. Reboot
6. Log in as the new Admin account
7. Delete the Install account
8. Install all the software you need
9. Log out
10. From now on, use the Standard account for your daily work

Installing Windows 10 / 11 without a Windows account (2)

I haven't checked all these methods -- and Microsoft keeps changing things -- but perhaps there is one that still works. And you can always Google 😏