New Update An even better Microsoft Account bypass for Windows 11 has already been discovered

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it was removing a popular command line that allowed users to bypass connecting to the internet and signing into a Microsoft Account during the setup phase on Windows 11.
But fret not, as a new, perhaps better bypass has already been discovered that still uses the command prompt (which you can open with Shift + F10) and makes skipping the Microsoft Account sign-in step a total breeze.

Discovered by user @witherornot1337 on X, typing "start ms-cxh:localonly" into the command prompt during the Windows 11 setup experience will allow you to create a local account directly without needing to skip connecting to the internet first.
 

pxxb1

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I did a fresh install with an ISO downloaded from Ms and burnt with Rufus to a usb. During the install, there where no possibility to open a CMD at any time during it. That info also exists on the net, the info that it does not work with CMD. So according to my experience, a workaround using CMD do not work.

I suppose the last word is not said about this.
 
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roger_m

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I did a fresh install with an ISO downloaded from Ms and burnt with Rufus to a usb. During the install, there where no possibility to open a CMD at any time during it. That info also exists on the net, the info that it does not work with CMD. So according to my experience, a workaround using CMD do not work.

I suppose the last word is not said about this.
You need to press Shift and F10. But on some laptops you will need to press Fn, Shift & F10. You can do this at beginning of the installation when you are asked to select your country. You then need to click on the command window to make it the active window, before you can type anything.
 

pxxb1

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You need to press Shift and F10. But on some laptops you will need to press Fn, Shift & F10. You can do this at beginning of the installation when you are asked to select your country. You then need to click on the command window to make it the active window, before you can type anything.

As i said, there where no possibility to open CMD at any time during the installation. I tried all possible and unpossible key strokes.
 

roger_m

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With a freshly downloaded ISO?
In this case I was using Windows 11 recovery media for a Microsoft Surface that I'd just downloaded from Microsoft. But I have done it many times with a regular Windows 11 ISO and the command window has opened every time. However these days when I'm not using recovery media to install Windows, I use installation media created with Rufus which runs bypassnro automatically, as it's more convenient that way. Note that after running bypassnro, you need to remain disconnected from the internet until the install has finished and Windows boots to the desktop. Up until a few weeks ago, you could connect to the internet as soon as you had created your local account, but that's no longer the case.
 

kamiloxf

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I'm downloading the latest image for a few minutes, I'll see if it's possible
WinPE.png

OOBE:
OOBE.png

ISO image downloaded from official Microsoft website
 
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pxxb1

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In this case I was using Windows 11 recovery media for a Microsoft Surface that I'd just downloaded from Microsoft. But I have done it many times with a regular Windows 11 ISO and the command window has opened every time. However these days when I'm not using recovery media to install Windows, I use installation media created with Rufus which runs bypassnro automatically, as it's more convenient that way. Note that after running bypassnro, you need to remain disconnected from the internet until the install has finished and Windows boots to the desktop. Up until a few weeks ago, you could connect to the internet as soon as you had created your local account, but that's no longer the case.

I have also done it before, with success, but not a few days ago. My F10 key works ok when doing other actions.
 

pxxb1

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It's still possible with 24H2. At the moment the change has only taken place with the latest Insider Preview Build, 26200.5516.

That is whats so mysterious with my install, it was an official ISO downloaded from Ms site.
By the way, you do not know that it is possible, but you assume it is, because it should.
 

roger_m

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That is whats so mysterious with my install, it was an official ISO downloaded from Ms site.
By the way, you do not know that it is possible, but you assume it is, because it should.
I'm not assuming anything. I've done it on literally tens of computers of different brands and models and not once has the command window failed to open. Not even a single time. While I certainly don't doubt it's not working for you, your situation is a very unusual one.
 

pxxb1

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I'm not assuming anything. I've done it on literally tens of computers of different brands and models and not once has the command window failed to open. Not even a single time. While I certainly don't doubt it's not working for you, your situation is a very unusual one.

And what was the most recent occasion using a downloaded ISO from Ms which you burnt to a usb?
 

pxxb1

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I'm downloading the latest image for a few minutes, I'll see if it's possible
View attachment 287910
OOBE:
View attachment 287911
ISO image downloaded from official Microsoft website

Interesting, and mysterious. I take it you did not tamper with the ISO in any way, besides burning to usb?
I never tried it according to the first image, only the second, and later. And it did not work. When installing i used shift and restart to boot into bios, and F10 to acknowledge the changes there. So Shift and F10 worked, and still do.
 

SeriousHoax

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I have also done it before, with success, but not a few days ago. My F10 key works ok when doing other actions.
Strange because I also did it this month. About 20 days ago. Both from an ISO downloaded from Microsoft's website as well as one downloaded from the website uupdump(.)net with included latest update. Shift + F10 opened CMD on both cases.
 
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pxxb1

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Strange because I also did it this month. About 20 days ago. Both from an ISO downloaded from Microsoft's website as well as one downloaded from the website uupdump(.)net with included latest update. Shift + F10 opened CMD on both cases.

Then i, of course, wonder why i could not do it. I cant come up with an answer as to why, puzzling.
I found the answer and it is in post #17.

However, Ms has been messing around with this account issue a long time now, it is time they either block other accounts during install, definitely, or open up for user choice of whatever account. This blocking, but with hidden workaround possibilities still usable is really unprofessional handling by Ms.
 
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pxxb1

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You need to press Shift and F10. But on some laptops you will need to press Fn, Shift & F10. You can do this at beginning of the installation when you are asked to select your country. You then need to click on the command window to make it the active window, before you can type anything.

This has been a good day since i learnt something. On my pc i have to press Fn + Shift + F10, and in that order, to get CMD to work under mentioned circumstances. Otherwise CMD will not be reachable.
 

rashmi

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Jan 15, 2024
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I did a fresh install with an ISO downloaded from Ms and burnt with Rufus to a usb. During the install, there where no possibility to open a CMD at any time during it. That info also exists on the net, the info that it does not work with CMD. So according to my experience, a workaround using CMD do not work.

I suppose the last word is not said about this.
If you used the Rufus "online account" bypass option and created Windows 24H2 USB, then you can choose the "Previous setup version" option on the left bottom in the new setup screen where it shows "Install Windows 11—it will delete everything" during installation. It will start the old Windows 11 setup, and you can create a local account.

The "ei.cfg" file that provides operating system selection for installation also doesn't work with the new Windows 11 setup.

I guess you can use the CMD fix too with the old setup version.
 
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rashmi

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Jan 15, 2024
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I use installation media created with Rufus which runs bypassnro automatically, as it's more convenient that way.
Does the Rufus "online account" bypass work with the new Windows 11 setup? I reinstalled Windows 11 24H2 two days back, but I used the previous setup version available in the new setup screen. The "ei.cfg" file fix doesn't work with the new setup, and Windows 11 automatically installs the Home Edition.
 

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