How to install and set up Windows 11 without an Internet connection
If you don't have a working Internet connection or want to use a local user account, you can follow these methods to set up Windows 11.
Microsoft tightens Windows 11 installation process without internet: there is still a way to bypass the barrier
In a controversial move, Microsoft has recently officially removed the bypassnro.cmd feature from the latest Windows 11 builds (26200.5516 and 26120.3653). This tool has been a favorite of the tech community for the past 3 years, allowing you to install the operating system without an internet connection or a Microsoft account.
According to the announcement from the Redmond company, this change is to ensure that " all users complete the installation process with an internet connection and a Microsoft account ". When users try to execute the ' oobe\bypassnro ' command in Command Prompt as before, the system will return an error message: "' oobe\bypassnro ' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file ".
However, after a short time, technology experts quickly found an alternative. By editing the Registry, users can still install Windows 11 offline:
- On the OOBE (Out-of-box experience) screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt
- Type the command " regedit " to launch Registry Editor
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE - Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value with the name " BypassNRO "
- Set the value to " 1 "
- Restart the system and proceed with the installation normally.
"Microsoft's move shows that they are serious about promoting the use of Microsoft accounts as part of the Windows 11 experience. However, the technology community is always finding new ways to protect user privacy," said John Smith, a security expert at TechSecurity Solutions.
Although the new method is more complicated than the old script, it is still considered a viable solution for now. However, experts warn that Microsoft may continue to patch this bug in future updates.
For the average user, creating an offline Microsoft account (with an unverified email address) or using a business/school account can be a balance between a full-featured experience and privacy protection.
The cat-and-mouse game between Microsoft and the tech community on this issue is expected to continue, reflecting the tension between the company's need for security and the end-user's desire for freedom.
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