Windows 11 has a secret way to skip the Microsoft account requirement

Microsoft really wants you to use a Microsoft account when setting up Windows 11, and that’s why the company has been killing the workarounds for using Windows 11 with only a local account. Even so, a new trick—one that’s incredibly simple—has just been discovered.

This newly discovered trick allows you to bypass the mandatory Microsoft account requirement when installing Windows 11, and it doesn’t involve any complicated workarounds, terminal commands, tampered installation files, or fancy maneuvers. All it takes is a mouse click.

When you’re setting up Windows 11 on a new PC, click on “Sign in” on the login screen. A window will appear where you’re asked to enter your Microsoft account. However, both in the descriptive text and at the bottom of the screen, you’ll also see the “Learn more” option. Click on that text without entering a Microsoft account.

You’ll then see a screen where you can create a local username and password. After that, if you wish, you can disable a few options that allow Microsoft to gather data like your location and diagnostic information, and all you have to do is click “Next” and “Accept.”

It’ll take a few minutes for Windows 11 to set up your local user account and finish the rest of the installation process. You can then use this Windows 11 PC without a Microsoft account.

A user named @TheBobPony shared and demonstrated the procedure via this social media post, in which he reports that this method does in fact work reliably with a current Windows 11 Home installation.

Why does it work? Well, it’s most likely a bug. Microsoft will probably remove this method of setting up a Windows 11 PC without a Microsoft account in the near future. But for now, you can take advantage.