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# Microsoft Kills Windows 11 Local Account Setup Just as Windows 10 Reaches End of Life
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/windows-11-local-account-setup-killed/
- Published: 2025-10-08T08:56:59.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-08T08:56:59.000Z
- Description: Local account workarounds removed just before Windows 10 goes dark.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Development Updates, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

[Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) has a track record of introducing features people never requested. Remember [Recall](https://itsfoss.com/microsoft-windows-creepy-ai-move/)? The controversial AI screenshot feature that captured everything on your screen raised serious privacy concerns.

The pattern continues with Copilot integration everywhere, from [Paint](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-copilot-pc-features-in-paint-53857513-e36c-472d-8d4a-adbcd14b2e54?ref=itsfoss.com) to [Notepad](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enhance-your-writing-with-ai-in-notepad-4088b954-c97b-46dc-813f-959be01746d5?ref=itsfoss.com). Microsoft keeps pushing AI assistants into every corner of Windows 11, often making them seemingly impossible to disable.

These forced additions share a common theme: they require internet connectivity and cloud services. Microsoft wants your data flowing through their servers, wrapped in the guise of helpful features.

Now, it has quietly introduced [another controversial change](https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/?ref=itsfoss.com#:~:text=Local%2Donly%20commands%20removal%3A) that removes user choice during Windows 11 installation.

## Freedom to Choose? What's That?

**Source: Windows Latest*

Microsoft is testing **a change that blocks all known methods to create local accounts during Windows 11's initial setup** (*OOBE*). Previously, people could run simple commands or tricks to skip the Microsoft account requirement. Those workarounds no longer work in Insider Preview builds currently being tested.

[Windows Latest](https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/07/microsoft-confirms-windows-11-to-require-microsoft-account-internet-during-oobe-tested/?ref=itsfoss.com) tested build 26220.6772 in the ***Dev*** and ***Beta*** channels and confirmed none of the bypass methods work anymore. If this change were to ship with the stable builds, Windows 11 Home users would need to sign in with a Microsoft account during initial setup.

Windows 11 Pro users still have one option (*at least on the test builds*), they can use [Domain Join](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/join-computer-to-domain?ref=itsfoss.com) to create local accounts. Third-party tools like [Rufus](https://rufus.ie/en/?ref=itsfoss.com) can also be used to create modified installation files that skip this requirement. But for regular *Home* edition users, Microsoft appears ready to remove this choice.

As I said earlier, **this change is currently in Insider Preview builds** in the *Dev* and *Beta* channels. If it follows Microsoft's usual rollout pattern, then it could reach stable versions within two to three months via Windows Update.

And here's the kicker. **Microsoft still lets you remove your Microsoft account after setup completes**. You can sign in during installation, reach the desktop, then immediately sign out and create a local account.

This makes their excuse about "*ensuring devices are set up correctly*" look like complete nonsense. If a Microsoft account was truly necessary for proper configuration, why allow immediate removal? It's just another [dark pattern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark%5Fpattern?ref=itsfoss.com) in their flagship operating system.

The timing is suspicious too. Windows 10 reaches [end of life](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-ends-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281?ref=itsfoss.com) on October 14, 2025, just days away. Millions will be pressured to migrate to Windows 11, and this restriction could be waiting for them.

Lastly, this goes without saying: [switching to Linux is a great choice in 2025](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-distributions/).

[Best Linux Distributions For Everyone in 2025Looking for the best Linux distribution that suits everyone? Take a look at our comprehensive list.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-192x192-283.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/best-linux-distros-for-2024-4.png)](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-distributions/)