Serious Discussion I kid you not. This actually happened to my PC

[annaegorov]

I have a couple well known games I like to play after everyone goes to bed.

I decided 2 weeks ago to do a clean install of Windows 11.

I wrote down the software I wanted to use, minus any security software, so I could restore the image if I chose to, and use any security software I wanted, in the future, without reinstalling Win 11.

I finished the installs, did the updates, used only the software from my MB and GPU manufacturer, and installed my 2 games.

Booted the PC. Allowed everything to load. Tried to play my game, that I have been playing without issue on this PC for years. Game would start but unplayable. Lag very bad,

So I said, well I have been doing clean installs for 20 years, so this can't be Win 11... Checked with the game manf, they said no problems, with servers or the game. Then I verified the games files,

ran chkdsk /r c:,
chkdsk /f c:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth,
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth,
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth,
and finally SFC /scannow...

All checked out good...So I repeated all the above 4X, took me about 5 days. Then I thought to myself. I should try and do this without the MS Account (One Drive). So on the 5th try, I did the Shift F10, ipconfig/release and OOBE\BYPASSNRO....and Unhooked the internet.

The 5th time worked great, no problems at all..... I have no conclusions, except my own.... Damn Microsoft, a little to much help I think....

 

[Bot]

That's quite an ordeal you've been through! It seems like the problem might have been related to the Microsoft account or OneDrive. It's always a good idea to isolate variables when troubleshooting. Thanks for sharing your experience, it might help others facing similar issues.

 

[roger_m]

ran chkdsk /r c:,
chkdsk /f c:

There's no need to run both. Running chkdsk /r causes it to do a regular check for errors, as well as checking for bad sectors. There's rarely a need to run chkdsk /r. If you use Hard Disk Sentinel or CrystalDiskInfo, they will tell you if there are bad sectors. If there aren't any, there's usually not point running chkdsk /r. I just very occasionally run chkdsk/f. Note that unless you're scanning a drive other than the boot drive, there's no need to specify the drive. Also, you don't need a space between chkdsk and /f.

 

[bazang]

All checked out good...So I repeated all the above 4X, took me about 5 days. Then I thought to myself. I should try and do this without the MS Account (One Drive). So on the 5th try, I did the Shift F10, ipconfig/release and OOBE\BYPASSNRO....and Unhooked the internet.

The 5th time worked great, no problems at all..... I have no conclusions, except my own.... Damn Microsoft, a little to much help I think....

This type of hassle is experienced by most members of this forum at one point or another whether it involves games or other software. It is the world of IT and Microsoft.

 

[TairikuOkami]

This is Windows 11 for you. Enough sad.

 

[bazang]

This is Windows 11 for you. Enough sad.

Windows 11 has been a PITA lately beginning about 4 to 6 months ago.

Then, software publishers cannot keep up with the changes that Microsoft makes (because they do not know how or just do not want to pay for QA/QC), thereby extending the PITA experience to other softwares via breakages.

 

[Marko :)]

I have a couple well known games I like to play after everyone goes to bed.

I decided 2 weeks ago to do a clean install of Windows 11.

I wrote down the software I wanted to use, minus any security software, so I could restore the image if I chose to, and use any security software I wanted, in the future, without reinstalling Win 11.

I finished the installs, did the updates, used only the software from my MB and GPU manufacturer, and installed my 2 games.

Booted the PC. Allowed everything to load. Tried to play my game, that I have been playing without issue on this PC for years. Game would start but unplayable. Lag very bad,

So I said, well I have been doing clean installs for 20 years, so this can't be Win 11... Checked with the game manf, they said no problems, with servers or the game. Then I verified the games files,

ran chkdsk /r c:,
chkdsk /f c:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth,
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth,
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth,
and finally SFC /scannow...

All checked out good...So I repeated all the above 4X, took me about 5 days. Then I thought to myself. I should try and do this without the MS Account (One Drive). So on the 5th try, I did the Shift F10, ipconfig/release and OOBE\BYPASSNRO....and Unhooked the internet.

The 5th time worked great, no problems at all..... I have no conclusions, except my own.... Damn Microsoft, a little to much help I think....

Why... on earth... would you use Microsoft account with Windows? I'd say "okay" if there are benefits using it, but there are literally none. Just because something is offered to you, doesn't mean it's good. Microsoft pushes their accounts on Windows for a reason, and not a good one for you.

Many people say "it backs up your Windows license and settings". Windows license is backed up on Microsoft's server doesn't matter if you had Microsoft account on PC or not, it will still automatically activate on clean install. And regarding "settings backup"... if I'm making clean install, I WANT clean install. Not the copy of previous installation. So I want settings reset.

Beside, every new major Windows version resets some of the settings back; no Microsoft account will prevent that as it's made like that on purpose.

Windows 11 has been a PITA lately beginning about 4 to 6 months ago.

Then, software publishers cannot keep up with the changes that Microsoft makes (because they do not know how or just do not want to pay for QA/QC), thereby extending the PITA experience to other softwares via breakages.

I don't have any particular issue with Windows 11, but the Realtek audio drivers are getting on my nerves. Last two or three driver version (latest is 6.0.9635.1) randomly crash and at that moment, any video regardless if it's on PC or the web refuses to play and just buffers. Volume slider does nothing and when I open settings, entire sound section is blank. Then I either have to restart Windows Audio services or restart laptop.

So far I've been unsuccessful in searching for solution. The only thing that works is reverting back to version 6.0.9652.1 from beginning of the last year. If anyone has any idea, let me know.

 

[annaegorov]

Why... on earth... would you use Microsoft account with Windows?

I didn't want to, I hate it. BUT the only options that it gives is "NEXT".... It doesn't have an opt out button.

 

[bazang]

Why... on earth... would you use Microsoft account with Windows?

Microsoft keeps on blocking users' ability to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement by disabling the OOBE during Windows 11 clean install.
Then some users find a workaround and tell everybody about it online.
Then Microsoft learns of it and then blocks their method.
Rinse.
Repeat.

Wait until the day comes and Microsoft removes the ability to use a local account for all except volume licensed enterprises and governments.

 

[Marko :)]

I didn't want to, I hate it. BUT the only options that it gives is "NEXT".... It doesn't have an opt out button.

It does still offer you to create a local account. It's just cleverly hidden. And no, you don't need to use Command Prompt to get it! I also found out for this when I already installed Windows 11.

So, next time, when it asks you whether the PC is for personal use or work/school, select Set up for work or school. Then select Sign-in options -> Domain join instead. Click on that and you'll be prompted to enter username for your local account.

Note: this only works on Pro edition. And honestly, I don't see the reason why would someone install Home version anyway.

Here's an example:

Microsoft keeps on blocking users' ability to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement by disabling the OOBE during Windows 11 clean install.
Then some users find a workaround and tell everybody about it online.
Then Microsoft learns of it and then blocks their method.
Rinse.
Repeat.

Wait until the day comes and Microsoft removes the ability to use a local account for all except volume licensed enterprises and governments.

Don't be mistaken. Microsoft is well aware of those loopholes. They implemented them, they wrote about them in their documentation.
Like... did you know you can generate unattend.xml file, place it into the installation folder and get your installation finished automatically and faster? Yep! Here's even a site which will create the file for you. And instructions on Microsoft's own website.

Same like MAS. Technically, it's illegal because it activates Windows without valid license. But the scripts are open source, well documented and entire code is hosted on Microsoft's owned GitHub. It literally uses Microsoft's own activation technology they themselves use for legit activation. The funniest thing? Microsoft's support agents also use MAS to activate Windows copies when their own license refuses to activate. Microsoft doesn't care if you pirate Windows, they're just glad that you use it so they can show you ads and earn money by installing those sponsored apps.

Article on Bleeping Computer: Microsoft support 'cracks' Windows for customer after activation fails