posh.wiki / blog
Back in April, I made a post about Microsoft removing the BypassNRO script, which allows users to set up windows without signing up for a Microsoft account, from the Windows 11 setup flow. Windows is now making another move in an attempt to completely disable local accounts in new installations.
Say goodbye to local account setup!
Recently, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6772 (KB5065797) hit beta channels. In a blogpost dated 2025-10-06, they state that they are "removing known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience" in this build. They claim that "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."
It's already pretty difficult to set up Windows without an online account. You have to open a command line and modify the registry, which is a very intentional thing to do. One might conclude that users with the competence to accomplish this are aware of the risks and reasonably equipped to handle any resulting issues.
That said, they do not go into detail about the critical setup being missed, and I've not found any indication that using a local account causes problems. Local accounts do allow you to set up your operating system offline, and prevent your operating system from associating your identity with mandatory telemetry, as well as avoiding having your file explorer try to push you into OneDrive rather than your local home folder.
Windows is NOT free (as in beer).
A quick aside: I see a lot of people saying that Windows is "free for a reason". I would like to clarify that Windows is not free. Certainly not as in speech, but also not as in beer! At time of writing, a Windows 11 home license key goes for £119.99 GBP. Equipment manufacturers buy licenses in bulk at slightly reduced cost and pre-load them onto the machines they sell, but don't be fooled - that cost is transferred to you, the buyer. You paid for Windows.
irm get.activated.win | iex oops, looks like someone dropped something there.
You paid for Windows again when they started selling your usage data. Data brokers are now selling your activity, associated with your identity, to anyone who'll pay for it (advertisers, insurance companies, governments, criminals, et cetera).
You paid for Windows a third time when they started showing you ads. Microsoft makes a fraction of a penny every time sponsored content from a third party appears in your taskbar, start menu, or anywhere else in the OS.
You paid upwards of £100 GBP for an operating system that takes away your privacy and plagues you with advertisements so that Microsoft can squeeze just a few more dollars out of your very existence.
What Can You Do Now?
It is no longer a strong suggestion, but now an absolute requirement, that Windows users allow Microsoft to track and sell their activity. Even if we do find a new way to bypass the online requirements, it is now absolutely clear: if you want to use Windows, Microsoft says you have to give up your data.
With Microsoft constantly attacking the prospect of local accounts, I can no longer in good faith recommend that anyone use Windows. You're paying upwards of a hundred dollars - significantly more if you want to use top-of-the-line hardware and certain features like type 1 hypervisors - for the privilege of being marketed to, and of being sold to anyone who wants to know about you.
If you have the choice, I highly recommend that you choose Linux for your next computer, in the interest of keeping your activity private and normalising privacy. You can even save upwards of £100 in cost if you buy a machine that doesn't come with Windows on it.