We asked our readers what they think of Windows 11's forced Microsoft account requirement, and the answer is clear. Too bad it's not on the official list of improvements coming to the OS in 2026.
I think there’s generally always been some hackish way around, and the hackish way frequently changes between releases of installation media.
Also, when Windows Update deploys certain things, if you have a system that did this, you may get a full screen thing telling you to set up a microsoft account roughly “for your own good”. Even when you bypass that, the start menu and notification area generally are eager to suggest hooking your system up to a microsoft account.
They decided that since Android can so aggressively push Google accounts, they should get the same scheme going, but Microsoft has this pesky pre-always-online history of being an offline capable OS.
At the moment if you create your installation media with Rufus it can just do it. A simple checkbox before you write to your USB drive overrides the Microsoft account requirement and even allows you to create a local account with a specific name in advance. Yes, even for the current versions of Windows which are full of the latest bullshit, and in which Microsoft claim they have “removed” the workarounds. It’s always been the easiest way.
Well, to be fair you still want to do that to remove/disable some of the other bullshit aspects. Don’t worry, you’ll still have regedit on speed dial if you want to retain any type of sanity.
I think there’s generally always been some hackish way around, and the hackish way frequently changes between releases of installation media.
Also, when Windows Update deploys certain things, if you have a system that did this, you may get a full screen thing telling you to set up a microsoft account roughly “for your own good”. Even when you bypass that, the start menu and notification area generally are eager to suggest hooking your system up to a microsoft account.
They decided that since Android can so aggressively push Google accounts, they should get the same scheme going, but Microsoft has this pesky pre-always-online history of being an offline capable OS.
At the moment if you create your installation media with Rufus it can just do it. A simple checkbox before you write to your USB drive overrides the Microsoft account requirement and even allows you to create a local account with a specific name in advance. Yes, even for the current versions of Windows which are full of the latest bullshit, and in which Microsoft claim they have “removed” the workarounds. It’s always been the easiest way.
silly me making registry entries and edits to remove their bullshit from the OS.
Well, to be fair you still want to do that to remove/disable some of the other bullshit aspects. Don’t worry, you’ll still have regedit on speed dial if you want to retain any type of sanity.