Windows 11 22H2 is coming, and judging from the recent update, it has apparently removed the option to provide a local account for the device, even if you install Windows 11 Pro.
Prior to this, Microsoft had made adjustments for Windows 11 Home Edition users, canceled the option to use a local account in the OOBE interface, and forced users to use a Microsoft account for setup and registration.
Starting with the Windows 11 22H2 version, Microsoft expects users to log in to the Microsoft account online for installation, but “work” or “school” users are still not affected, and users can set it up in their own way.
When you log in to your account, Microsoft automatically configures OneDrive for your device and starts syncing data between your devices, including settings and preferences. While linking a Microsoft account to Windows 11 is a useful thing, not everyone likes Microsoft forcing them to do things.
In the latest Build 22616, the Windows 11 Pro version already forces users to set up a Microsoft account when installing, and you must provide an internet connection. Of course, this only happens if you choose to set up the device for personal use, and if you choose a “work” or “school” account, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your organization’s domain.
It is still possible to bypass the account requirement by entering a non-existing Microsoft account email and password, but doing so will cause a bug, and while it is not particularly convenient for users, this seems to be the easiest s solution.
If you install Windows 10, the machine can set up a local account for you if it is not online, while on Windows 11 the user must be connected to the Internet. Of course, you can also disable networking through the registry or the like, but this method is complicated and not practical for most users.
From the current situation, it is already an industry trend to force the use of network ID to log in to new devices, whether it is a mobile phone or a PC. Moreover, logging in to a Microsoft account is beneficial for daily Windows operations, especially if you have invested a lot of money or energy in the Microsoft ecosystem, including services such as Xbox, Your Phone, and OneDrive can help you Better work and life.
However, it should be mentioned here that although most Windows users do not object to this behavior, I believe that users still like to have a choice. After all, many people will feel more comfortable using a local account and better ensure privacy.