How to Create a Local Account During Windows Setup (Bypass Microsoft Account)

[Andy]

If you’re installing Windows 11 or Windows 10 and reach the “Is this the right country or region?” screen, you can create a local user account and bypass the Microsoft account requirement easily. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Step-by-Step Guide​

1. Open Command Prompt
   Press Shift + F10 (or Fn + Shift + F10 on laptops) to open the Command Prompt window.
2. Create a Local User Account
   Run the following commands — replace YourUserName with your preferred username:
   

   net user "YourUserName" * /add
   net localgroup administrators "YourUserName" /add
   net user "YourUserName" /active:yes
   net user "YourUserName" /expires:never
   net user "Administrator" /active:no
   net user "defaultUser0" /delete

3. Clean Up Default Account Entries
   Type regedit to open the Registry Editor and go to:
   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE
4. Delete these registry entries:
   • DefaultAccountAction
   • DefaultAccountSAMName
   • DefaultAccountSID
5. Skip the Machine OOBE
   Rename LaunchUserOOBE to SkipMachineOOBE, then set its value to 1.
6. Restart Windows Setup
   Type this command to reboot immediately:
   shutdown /r /t 0
7. After restarting, continue the normal setup process — your new local account will appear.

Why This Works​

This method helps bypass the Microsoft account login during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). It’s useful for IT professionals, system builders, or users who prefer full local control and privacy.