Microsoft appears to be blocking a workaround for using Windows 11 without an account

Microsoft may have discontinued a popular but unofficial way that allowed users to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. That circumvention no longer works, meaning Windows 11 users are required to use an account.

Windows Central noticed that this installation method has recently become no longer possible. It is not known how long that has been; Microsoft has probably patched that 'bug' recently.

This is the most popular way to install Windows 11 on a new system without logging in with a Microsoft account. During the installation of Windows 11, it is mandatory to have a working internet connection, but also to log in. Until recently, there was always a detour available. Users would then have to try to log in with a blacklisted email address, such as example@example.com. In that case, users were redirected to a screen to create a local account.

Windows Central now writes that users who try this method will be redirected to a page where they can create a Microsoft account. It is no longer possible to create a local account. There are other methods to use Windows 11 only locally. However, these are often more complicated workarounds, for example by disabling the internet connection via the command prompt. Users will not use that technique very often in practice.