Don't install with Microsoft account at set up!

Sorry if I'm saying anything already known, but it's been a while since I clean installed Windows 11 and the first time on 23H2. Having just installed on two laptops, the way it gets set up now is really not friendly. The main issue, after signing in with a microsoft account - is that you don't get to the desktop. It makes you wait (for a long time) while updates are being done - and it's not just the waiting - you also can't see which updates are being done.

With the first laptop I found it was on 24H2 when I finally got to the desktop (I don't know if was already on 24H2 or not as had only just purchased it and setting up for the first time - used laptop) but it did take an extremely long time doing updates. There were touchpad issues so I clean installed 23H2 and the touchpad was fine then,

The second one was an older laptop. Explained in another thread how I couldn't connect to wifi initially so when I finally got a connection, I signed in with a microsoft account again in (somehow thinking I wouldn't risk losing that connection being gone once on the desktop!) and had exactly the same thing. Not getting to the desktop due to very very long waits while windows installed updates. On this occasion I just cancelled everything and started again and set up with a local account instead.

I have never been that bothered about whether I signed in with a local or Microsoft account, but now I am! If you sign in with a local account, then you go straight to the desktop and you can see what updates are being done - which I think is sometimes part of the process of knowing what's on a laptop and what's going on. Also taking note of various bits of firmware and drivers installed.

Which means doing the oobe/bypass nro of course, and thanks to Bree, I now know you have to click on the command window before you can type on it.

So from now on I will always set up with a local account - as long as it remains possible. And then sign in with a microsoft account later - if wanted.

Hello Hazel,

Correct. You're still able to set up a local account while doing a clean install of Windows 11. The steps in the tutorial below include more on how to do it if needed.

I haven't done a clean install recently.

When doing an upgrade, there's a checkbox as to whether to check for updates during the install.

If doing a clean install to a Microsoft account, does that still apply? If so, does that get you to a Windows desktop more quickly?

Doing a clean install, I didn't see any checkbox - it just starts doing updates and tells you to wait. Once you sign in with a microsoft account the updates start. You can't see which updates are being done and it takes a very long time. At least if you went straight to desktop you could be doing something while updates were downloading! I don't like it at all! Signing in with a local account, the install is all very quick and you then go straight to the desktop.

I just did a clean install..., after choosing region and keyboard, etc..., then came network, there was a button 'I don't have internet', I chose that and it commenced to setting up the Desktop...

Ah you bypassed logging in with a microsoft account with oob\bypass nro If you'd signed in with a microsoft account you'd have been stuck waiting while it did invisible updates!

Hazel123 said:

Ah you bypassed logging in with a microsoft account with oob\bypass nro If you'd signed in with a microsoft account you'd have been stuck waiting while it did invisible updates!

Click to expand...

I suppose I did! It's been ages since I did an install of any sort, but, this seemed to work!

I went the Rufus method and completely wiped Disk 0...

Does Rufus now bypass asking for a microsoft account as well now then? ie does it offer you the I don't have internet option?

Hazel123 said:

Does Rufus now bypass asking for a microsoft account as well now then? ie does it offer you the I don't have internet option?

Click to expand...

Apparently...



I just went with Option Two here...

I've used Rufus before on older laptops - didn't occur to me to use it on laptops compatible with Windows 11 already

Hazel123 said:

I've used Rufus before on older laptops - didn't occur to me to use it on laptops compatible with Windows 11 already

Click to expand...

I actually wasn't expecting it to work as the CPU was not compatible! Kudos to @Brink and the Rufus Devs!
My sister said: "If you brick the Laptop, don't worry about it!" Otherwise I wouldn't have tried it!!!

Definitely works - I used it about three years ago It's on a thread here somewhere - first thing I wanted to do when Windows 11 came out was put it on an Eee PC . Worked a treat. Doesn't work on 23H2 though.