F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Got a brand new setup? You'll need an account set up and you'll also need to have internet access ready.

Got a brand new setup? You'll need an account set up and you'll also need to have internet access ready.

Got a brand new setup? You'll need an account set up and you'll also need to have internet access ready.

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ElGuerrero064
Member
53
03-29-2026, 02:17 AM
#1
Back when we started W11, you could pick up the Pro version and install without needing an internet connection or creating a Microsoft account to finish. That used to work, but now it doesn't seem like it anymore...so anyway... I finished setting up my build and wanted to make sure everything was okay before time ran out on returns. Great news: the system started up fine. But not so happy that even after picking Pro, installing needed internet access and a sign-in with Microsoft to keep going. To save time, I just signed in myself. The new owner doesn't know they are taking over yet, so asking them for their credentials was a no-go. Doing that instantly synced all bookmarks, favorites, settings, etc. It didn't let me turn off sync before doing this. I spent the last hour going back to "local account" and undoing all those things plus some more. Is anyone here aware of a faster way to do this as a builder? Shouldn't I maybe just make a shell account that only has the default settings? I'd love your thoughts on that. Honestly, I don't like spending hours fighting with software that shouldn't have been forced on me in the first place.
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ElGuerrero064
03-29-2026, 02:17 AM #1

Back when we started W11, you could pick up the Pro version and install without needing an internet connection or creating a Microsoft account to finish. That used to work, but now it doesn't seem like it anymore...so anyway... I finished setting up my build and wanted to make sure everything was okay before time ran out on returns. Great news: the system started up fine. But not so happy that even after picking Pro, installing needed internet access and a sign-in with Microsoft to keep going. To save time, I just signed in myself. The new owner doesn't know they are taking over yet, so asking them for their credentials was a no-go. Doing that instantly synced all bookmarks, favorites, settings, etc. It didn't let me turn off sync before doing this. I spent the last hour going back to "local account" and undoing all those things plus some more. Is anyone here aware of a faster way to do this as a builder? Shouldn't I maybe just make a shell account that only has the default settings? I'd love your thoughts on that. Honestly, I don't like spending hours fighting with software that shouldn't have been forced on me in the first place.

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benice45
Member
230
03-29-2026, 04:06 AM
#2
Set it up without a wire or wifi connection and no internet needed. Stop right after you reach the step where it asks for your account details. Once the new owner turns on the device, just let it finish automatically; ask the person turning it on to give you all that information instead of you providing it.
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benice45
03-29-2026, 04:06 AM #2

Set it up without a wire or wifi connection and no internet needed. Stop right after you reach the step where it asks for your account details. Once the new owner turns on the device, just let it finish automatically; ask the person turning it on to give you all that information instead of you providing it.

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CasperPromp
Member
64
03-29-2026, 06:37 AM
#3
How do you set up and get into Windows 11 using just your own login? You should only keep a local user account on your computer. Did you read all that written back in April? Soon or later, I will be in your spot, so I've been watching this closely. I'm still running Win 10 right now. Information about Windows 11 keeps changing fast. I have saved some useful tips from the web, but most of them are from 2022.
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CasperPromp
03-29-2026, 06:37 AM #3

How do you set up and get into Windows 11 using just your own login? You should only keep a local user account on your computer. Did you read all that written back in April? Soon or later, I will be in your spot, so I've been watching this closely. I'm still running Win 10 right now. Information about Windows 11 keeps changing fast. I have saved some useful tips from the web, but most of them are from 2022.

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TriCStyLe
Junior Member
13
03-30-2026, 11:44 PM
#4
That's the problem right now. You have no choice but to keep the internet connected, or else the whole setup breaks and you're back to square one.
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TriCStyLe
03-30-2026, 11:44 PM #4

That's the problem right now. You have no choice but to keep the internet connected, or else the whole setup breaks and you're back to square one.

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NestangriffPvP
Junior Member
27
03-31-2026, 01:09 PM
#5
I haven't set up 11 for a long time. Just how do I know when it wants to join us?
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NestangriffPvP
03-31-2026, 01:09 PM #5

I haven't set up 11 for a long time. Just how do I know when it wants to join us?

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Jonny_T_
Member
122
03-31-2026, 05:55 PM
#6
Hey, cool thing here. I'm going to test it out when I set up a new computer. You know for sure that you cannot skip over this part during the installation screen.
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Jonny_T_
03-31-2026, 05:55 PM #6

Hey, cool thing here. I'm going to test it out when I set up a new computer. You know for sure that you cannot skip over this part during the installation screen.

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Nano_Cat548
Junior Member
1
04-02-2026, 03:05 AM
#7
If you go to the link that @Lafong shared, it seems like most people finish right after they pick their area and set up their key layout. There was once a way to cheat using special options, but that didn't actually create a hidden shortcut or backdoor either.
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Nano_Cat548
04-02-2026, 03:05 AM #7

If you go to the link that @Lafong shared, it seems like most people finish right after they pick their area and set up their key layout. There was once a way to cheat using special options, but that didn't actually create a hidden shortcut or backdoor either.

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zNDrakeBR22_
Junior Member
12
04-02-2026, 11:41 AM
#8
I was expecting this to happen right away. Before everything else finished, I need to stop what I'm doing. Turn off the power now. Give it to someone new. Let them handle the last steps and say hello to everyone. The system is already installed, but only one small part left. They don't need the old USB anymore.
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zNDrakeBR22_
04-02-2026, 11:41 AM #8

I was expecting this to happen right away. Before everything else finished, I need to stop what I'm doing. Turn off the power now. Give it to someone new. Let them handle the last steps and say hello to everyone. The system is already installed, but only one small part left. They don't need the old USB anymore.

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PaisleePlayz
Junior Member
10
04-02-2026, 01:28 PM
#9
I hear you, but it leaves too many questions about how the system stays stable. I could try doing all my own testing first, then giving them a fresh start to show that startup screen. It's not the best idea by far, but it will do the job for now.
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PaisleePlayz
04-02-2026, 01:28 PM #9

I hear you, but it leaves too many questions about how the system stays stable. I could try doing all my own testing first, then giving them a fresh start to show that startup screen. It's not the best idea by far, but it will do the job for now.