Appears no way to startup a new out of box laptop without logging into MSFT

[OVERKILL]

I thought the same, but came from Costco.

What version is on it? This one had 2H22. I have 23H2 on USB and it works fine on that as well, just reloaded a Lenovo AOI with it two days ago and used it.

 

[GON]

What version is on it? This one had 2H22. I have 23H2 on USB and it works fine on that as well, just reloaded a Lenovo AOI with it two days ago and used it.

Are you using 11 home or pro?

 

[Rand]

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to... setting up a,instead of a Microsoft account.

Try clicking sign in

then putting in fake email such as [email protected]
then click next
oops something went wrong..
then make local account.
(scroll about 50% down in that link I posted above)

 

[OVERKILL]

Are you using 11 home or pro?

Pro, but used it on home previously as well and they are the same install USB.

 

[GON]

Pro, but used it on home previously as well and they are the same install USB.

All I can say is this version Windows 11 home does not have a workable solution that I have found..in fact, it appears likely MSFT deliberately went to great lengths to prevent this version of windows 11 home to be usable without connecting and establishing a relationship with MSFT.

 

[Hall]

The only restriction that I found is that I can’t copy and paste between my iPhone and laptop. I didn’t realize how often I do that until I set up this machine to experiment with.

I knew that wouldn't work but without knowing what phone the OP used, I didn't want to go there. And yes, it's a very handy function ! I use it a lot, every single day.

 

[OVERKILL]

All I can say is this version Windows 11 home does not have a workable solution that I have found..in fact, it appears likely MSFT deliberately went to great lengths to prevent this version of windows 11 home to be usable without connecting and establishing a relationship with MSFT.

You have another computer right? May want to try making a USB installer, doing a fresh install with no internet access and then trying the Shift-F10 solution from that.

 

[Hall]

All I can say is this version Windows 11 home does not have a workable solution that I have found..in fact, it appears likely MSFT deliberately went to great lengths to prevent this version of windows 11 home to be usable without connecting and establishing a relationship with MSFT.

Since I have minimal exposure to Windows PCs anymore, I didn't dig into the article I saw, but it seemed to touch on this topic and it is a recent change to Windows builds. As you say, and the article's headlines alluded to the same, MS went to great lengths to force this behavior.

Here's a reddit post about it:

 

[GON]

You have another computer right? May want to try making a USB installer, doing a fresh install with no internet access and then trying the Shift-F10 solution from that.

At this time I am looking at purchusing this as a solution- although I will need to also purchase a USB CD ROM drive.

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windоws-Pro-OEM-DVD/dp/B09MYBD79G/ref=sr_1_1?

 

[OVERKILL]

At this time I am looking at purchusing this as a solution- although I will need to also purchase a USB CD ROM drive.

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windоws-Pro-OEM-DVD/dp/B09MYBD79G/ref=sr_1_1?

I could just image my copy if you want to try it? Would save you some money.

 

[GON]

I could just image my copy if you want to try it? Would save you some money.

Thanks for the offer- very grateful. I am also taking a closer look at the linus system. Just worried about certain sites I need to go to that require certificates, and things like digital signatures.

 

[OVERKILL]

I could just image my copy if you want to try it? Would save you some money.

Also, here's the ISO for 22H2:
Windows 11 2022 Update - version 22H2 (x64, en-US ISO) : Microsoft : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

[ripcord]

The program Rufus is a popular OS installation thumb drive creator that can create a thumb drive for Windows 11 that removes the MS Account requirement and also bypasses the TPM chip check so you can install on older hardware. You just feed it the latest Win 11 ISO.

 

[Rand]

@GON did you try what I wrote..
put in [email protected]
and any password.. then it will error and let you use a local account.

 

[Hall]

Thanks for the offer- very grateful. I am also taking a closer look at the linus system. Just worried about certain sites I need to go to that require certificates, and things like digital signatures.

I'm 100% certain that won't be an issue. Linux distributions are fully functional, up-to-date, and fairly secure.

 

[henni]

Just purchased several new laptops that came with factory boot into Win 11 Home.

No problems bypassing MS account, setup a local "Admin" and changed licenses to Win 11 Pro

Models were LG, Lenovo, Dell -- no issues on any of these.

Debloated all from MS apps/bloatware using Powershell.
Setup also
Abelssoft PC Fresh 2024 10.01.54545
Abelssoft SSD Fresh 2025 14.0.06618
Abelssoft Win11PrivacyFix 2025 4.0.54970
CCleaner Pro 6.28.1297
GlassWire Elite 3.3.678

 

[wpod]

A few months I bought a new laptop and found out the same thing with Microsoft and I returned the laptop for refund.

 

[KrisZ]

Just last week I installed win11 on my son’s computer and the shift+f10 workaround worked for me too, so this one is weird for sure.

I think creating a new installation media USB will likely solve this issue.

 

[GON]

Just last week I installed win11 on my son’s computer and the shift+f10 workaround worked for me too, so this one is weird for sure.

I think creating a new installation media USB will likely solve this issue.

I purchased a pen windows 11 pro and a DVD reader. Wiped out old partitions on the notebook hard drive.. Installed windows 11 from the DVD. Still can't get past the screen in the picture of let's connect you to a network.

I am soon to try the USB method to install windows 11. Beyond frustrated with this.

 

[KrisZ]

I purchased a pen windows 11 pro and a DVD reader. Wiped out old partitions on the notebook hard drive.. Installed windows 11 from the DVD. Still can't get past the screen in the picture of let's connect you to a network.

I am soon to try the USB method to install windows 11. Beyond frustrated with this. View attachment 242972

Since you’re on a laptop, perhaps you need to use shift+FN+F10 combo?