How to install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account

To install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account, continue with the normal installation and, after choosing the name for the device in the OOBE, disconnect the computer from the network, click “Sign in,” and continue the setup with a local account.

You can install “Windows 11 Home” without a Microsoft account using a local account even though the official specifications say you can’t. You only need to know the workaround, and in this guide, you will learn how.

Usually, you want to use a Microsoft account to set up a clean installation of Windows 11 because it’s a more secure approach and offers integration with various cloud services and content syncing across devices. However, many people still prefer to use a local account despite the benefits. Also, configuring a new installation without a Microsoft account allows you to create a more personalized profile folder name that won’t use part of the email address. In addition, if you plan to use remote access, starting with a local account will help avoid problems establishing the connection.

If you create a local account during the installation, you can always connect it later to a Microsoft account through the “Accounts” settings page.

This guide will teach you how to install Windows 11 Home with a local account for a more private and traditional experience. If you are setting up Windows 11 Pro, you can use these instructions instead.

Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned.

Install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account

Windows 11 supports many ways of installation. These instructions will guide you to perform a clean installation using a bootable USB flash drive. However, since the option to create a local account is part of the out-of-box experience, the process will be the same.

If you choose this method, you also have to make sure the device can start from USB, which means you will have to change the UEFI (BIOS) settings. Since these settings are different on most devices, refer to your manufacturer support website for more specific details.

To install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account, use these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option if you are doing a reinstallation. If the Windows 11 installation were previously activated after the installation, reactivation would happen automatically.
Select the “Windows 11 Home” edition (if applicable).
Check the “I accept the license terms” option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.
Select each partition in the hard drive and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

Warning: Deleting a partition also deletes all data on the drive. Also, it is not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The computer will restart automatically.)
(Important) Disconnect the network cable or turn off the Wi-Fi to block the internet connection to enable the offline account setup on Windows 11 Home and skip the Microsoft account.
Click the Sign in button to continue with a local account creation instead of a Microsoft account.
Confirm the name of the local account on Windows 11 Home.
Click the Next button.
Create a password for the account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm the account password.
Click the Next button.
Select and complete the three security questions to recover the account.
Click the Next button.
Choose the privacy settings.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click the Accept button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 Home will complete the installation without a Microsoft account. At this time, you can reconnect the network cable or turn on the Wi-Fi connection.