Microsoft is making sure that every Windows 11 setup requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account. In a new update for Windows 11, the company has removed a trick that allowed users to bypass this requirement.
Previously, users could use a simple command called bypassnro to skip the step where Windows 11 asks for an internet connection and a Microsoft account.
Many people used this method to set up new computers without linking them to Microsoft’s online services. This was useful for businesses, IT professionals, and those who preferred local accounts.
Now, Microsoft has disabled this method. The company says this change is meant to improve security and provide a better user experience. Since the bypassnro command no longer works in the latest test version of Windows 11, it will likely be removed from official versions soon.
However, some workarounds still exist. For now, users can edit the Windows registry during setup by opening a Command Prompt (Shift + F10) and running this command:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0
This trick allows users to skip the requirement temporarily, but Microsoft may block it in future updates.
There are also advanced methods, such as using an unattended.xml automation file, which IT professionals use to set up multiple computers. However, these are not as easy for regular users.
Microsoft has been pushing users to upgrade to Windows 11 while also making it harder to install on older PCs.
It has enforced requirements like TPM 2.0 support and has stopped allowing old Windows product keys for activation. With Windows 10 support ending in October, Microsoft is encouraging people to upgrade—sometimes with full-screen ads urging them to buy a new PC.
For now, users who want to avoid Microsoft accounts may still find temporary workarounds, but Microsoft is tightening its control over the Windows setup process.
Stay tuned for more updates on Windows 11 changes and workarounds!