Convert Microsoft account to a local account

Is there a way to convert a Windows 11 Pro Microsoft account to a local account?

Haven't heard of an easy way, what I have done is add a New User as a Local Account with admin rights and no password. Reboot and should get a choice of accounts, log into the Local Account and while disconnected from the Internet or Router turned off then remove the User with the Microsoft Account keeping all files and programs. Reboot again should show only the one User. Haven't seen any issue having both accounts then choose one as desired at start up.

I tried creating a local account without a password before I posted my question. However, when I tried to sign in using this account, I was prompted for an email and password. I entered to local account ID, but sign in fails with invalid user ID/password.

Any ideas.

I have always had a local account on my laptop with Windows 11 Home. In Accounts doesn't it offer to let you convert your Microsoft account to a local one? I know on my desktop with Windows 10 Pro it gave me that option. I started with a Microsoft account on my desktop and just took the option to convert it a local one.

BTW, maybe you should configure your local account to use a PIN. I have both a password and a PIN but the default is to use a PIN. Logging in with a PIN is faster than logging in with a password.

lburkett said:

Is there a way to convert a Windows 11 Pro Microsoft account to a local account?

Click to expand...

Switch to Local Account from Microsoft Account - ElevenForumTutorials

Just for comparison, if it's of any interest,
Switch to Microsoft Account from Local Account - ElevenForumTutorials

Denis

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For a new Windows 11 installation make sure you are not connected to the internet (remove the LAN cable, don't connect to your Wi-Fi when prompted). At the initial configuration screen where you select language etc (OOBE - Out Of the Box Experience), press SHIFT+F10 to open a Command Prompt and then execute the command oobe\bypassnro The computer will restart and present you the OOBE screen again, but this time in the Network section it will be the text "I don't have an Internet connection". Click on this text and then confirm you want to proceed with "limited" options. This will allow you to create a local account, even in Windows 11 Home, instead of using your Microsoft account. For all other posters that were forced to use their Microsoft account and want to convert it to local, it can be done from Settings, see the tutorial mentioned by the previous poster.

spapakons said:

For a new Windows 11 installation make sure you are not connected to the internet (remove the LAN cable, don't connect to your Wi-Fi when prompted). At the initial configuration screen where you select language etc (OOBE - Out Of the Box Experience), press SHIFT+F10 to open a Command Prompt and then execute the command oobe\bypassnro The computer will restart and present you the OOBE screen again, but this time in the Network section it will be the text "I don't have an Internet connection". Click on this text and then confirm you want to proceed with "limited" options. This will allow you to create a local account, even in Windows 11 Home, instead of using your Microsoft account. For all other posters that were forced to use their Microsoft account and want to convert it to local, it can be done from Settings, see the tutorial mentioned by the previous poster.

Click to expand...

I know this method has been around awhile but when was the last time someone tested it. I just tried to install Windows 11 Home and tried that method. Windows setup said oobe was an invalid command. No problem because for me this was just a test to see if that method still worked.

Actually that method for me is not needed anyways because there is a much simpler method to install Windows 11. Here is how I just installed Windows 11 Home on a virtual machine using VMware Workstation Player (free):

1. Keep the network connected at all times
2. When it asks you to log into your Microsoft account use this account
   • Username: username
   • Password: password
3. You then get an error but that's OK.
4. Click Next
5. Setup prompts you to create a local account.

Here are screenshots that I took that shows this:

You got an error probably because you used / instead of \ or typed spaces. The correct syntax is oobe\bypassnro without spaces and with \ which actually means run command bypassnro from folder oobe which probably is at C:\Windows or C:\Windoes\System32

MisterEd said:

I know this method has been around awhile but when was the last time someone tested it. I just tried to install Windows 11 Home and tried that method. Windows setup said oobe was an invalid command.

Click to expand...

Please refer to the tutorial. A variation of this command is sometimes needed - MSOOBE\BYPASSNRO.
Clean Install Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials

MisterEd said:

When it asks you to log into your Microsoft account use this account

• Username: username
• Password: password

Click to expand...

I suggest you post that in the tutorial thread. It is not the same as the entry currently suggested.


All the best,
Denis

spapakons said:

You got an error probably because you used / instead of \ or typed spaces. The correct syntax is oobe\bypassnro without spaces and with \ which actually means run command bypassnro from folder oobe which probably is at C:\Windows or C:\Windoes\System32

Click to expand...

I apologize I got the syntax wrong. I tried it again with the correct syntax. This time it worked. However, don't you think my way is simpler?

In any case whatever workaround one uses is always subject to being blocked by some future Windows 11 release. It's always good to have alternatives.

Dum spirum sperum (as long as I live I hope), or Hope dies last, as we say in Greek.

lburkett said:

Is there a way to convert a Windows 11 Pro Microsoft account to a local account?

Click to expand...

Account Profile Fixer is ideal for this. As per the web site: "If the user account to repair is a Microsoft account, it will be converted to a local account."