Microsoft Account To Be Mandatory For Windows 11 PRO - Panic !


An MS account is ok in most situtations but it does not allow you to create your own account name.
Unless Microsoft has changed their mind, if I give my email address as "user@gmail.com", MS offers to make it my Microsoft Account.

Since my email/account is @outlook.com, I haven't had occasion to test it lately. However, when helping folks to set up their new computers, that's what MS did in the past.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy TE01-1xxx
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Motherboard
    16.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1463MHz (21-21-21-47)
    Memory
    16384 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor 1 - Acer 27" Monitor 2 - Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ-512G-1006 (SSD)
    Seagate ST1000DM003-1SB102
    Seagate BUP Slim SCSI Disk Device (SSD)
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's all Folks!
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 (10th gen) 10700
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" & Samsung 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x
    Hard Drives
    SSD (512 GB)
    HDD (1 TB)
    Seagate
    PSU
    Intel i7 10th Generation
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    HP/Intel?
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox 90.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Headphone/Microphone Combo
    SuperSpeed USB Type-A (4 on front)
    HP 3-in-One Card Readr
    SuperSpeed USB Type-C
    DVD Writer
It permitted me to create mt own Account Name.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Digital Storm Velox
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10940X
    Motherboard
    MSI X299 PRO (Intel X299 Chipset) (Up to 4x PCI-E Devices)
    Memory
    128 GB DDR4 3200 MHz Corsair Vengance LPX
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Black
    Sound Card
    Integrated Motherboard Audio-Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CORSAIR XENEON 32QHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    2 Samsung 980 Pro NVME 2TB
    1x Storage (6TB Western Digital
    PSU
    Corsair / EVGA / Thermaltake (Modular) (80 Plus Gold)
    Case
    VELOX
    Cooling
    H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (Dual Fan) (Fully Sealed + No Maintenance)
    Keyboard
    Corsair K63 Wireless
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 Pro
    Internet Speed
    1000Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 124.0.1
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Cyber power CP1350AVRLCD -UPS
    NVIDIA 551.86 Driver
  • Operating System
    Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC13ANHi3
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 1315u
    Motherboard
    NUC13AN
    Memory
    64GB GSKILL DDR4 3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel On Board
    Sound Card
    Intel on Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial M2NVME
    PSU
    External 90 Watt
    Case
    NUC Tall
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Razer
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Slimjet 43.0.1.0
    Other Info
    quiet & fast
Insisting you install with an MS account is just not suitable for all situations.

One Size does not fit all.

None of my post here has anything to do with the mass hysteria over privacy or not.

I have simply pointed out valid reasons when a local account is preferable for installation.
One valid reason could be a test install as a VM. I have just done that with a UUPDump ISO of Dev build 22557 (the one that now requires an internet connection for both Home and Pro). There are still ways to install with just a local account.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
OK, so I thought I'd be clever and create an ISO with the bypass stuff (TPM, secure boot etc) with this script I wrote:


Well the bypass of the compatibility stuff works but the "BypassNRO" does not - gives me a restart loop with this screen - funny thing is it worked on initial testing with the Insider Home install - not sure if I changed something in the script..

Just an FYI .. more work on this needed to get this working properly.

Screenshot 2022-02-28 124244.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
The option to setup Windows 11 Pro, Education and Enterprise editions with a local account is not gone, not disappeared. It's still there, you just need to know where to look. And, it will remain there, for the unseen future.

Since Dev Build 22557, Internet connection is required when installing Pro or better edition. If not connected, this will be shown:

No Internet.jpg

When connected to Internet, on the account creation screen, select Set up for Work or School:

Set up for Work or School.jpg

Insteadt of entering a Microsoft account, select Sign-in options:

Sign-in options.jpg

Select Domain join insteadt:

Domain join insteadt.jpg

Enter your preferred name for a local account, and continue WIndows 11 OOBE normally. Windows will be set up with a local account:

Create local account.jpg

That's it!

Of course, if you wish, you could totally bypass / automate OOBE with a simple answer file, also bypassing account creation screens:


Kari
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hyper-V Virtual Machine (host in System 2 specs)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Microsoft Hyper-V Video
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev Channel
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP HP ProBook 470 G5
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Motherboard
    HP 837F KBC Version 02.3D.00
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 & NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
    Hard Drives
    128 GB SSD & 1 TB HDD
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech MSX mouse
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech MK710 keyboard
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
    Browser
    Edge Chromium Dev Channel
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    2 * 3 TB USB HDD
    6 TB WD Mirror NAS
I hope they don't force that. It would suck and they would lose a lot of users. I only use my MS login for the Microsoft Store. Otherwise, I don't need it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 23H2 v22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built Myself in 2013
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 1800X 8-Core @ 3.60GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Crosshair VI Hero
    Memory
    16GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" , PLANAR 22", eMachine 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ P34A60 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2
    ~ 3TB WD Red HDD (extra storage)
    ~ SanDisk 250GB SSD
    ~ 2 X 1TB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    Corsair RM850 Fully Modular (850watts)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 630 CA-PH630-W1
    Cooling
    CORSAIR iCUE H100i RGB PRO XT
    Keyboard
    Logitech K860
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *This is my Main Computer That I use*
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD A10-5700 APU @ 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus CM1745
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R7 350x GDDR5 4 GB
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Monitor Setup ONN 22" Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~
    250GB SSD

    500GB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    350Watt PSU
    Cooling
    Air Cooling
    Mouse
    MX Master
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic 4000
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *Computer for Weather Software*
The option to setup Windows 11 Pro, Education and Enterprise editions with a local account is not gone, not disappeared. It's still there, you just need to know where to look. And, it will remain there, for the unseen future.

Since Dev Build 22557, Internet connection is required when installing Pro or better edition. If not connected, this will be shown:

View attachment 23170

When connected to Internet, on the account creation screen, select Set up for Work or School:

View attachment 23171

Insteadt of entering a Microsoft account, select Sign-in options:

View attachment 23172

Select Domain join insteadt:

View attachment 23169

Enter your preferred name for a local account, and continue WIndows 11 OOBE normally. Windows will be set up with a local account:

View attachment 23168

That's it!

Of course, if you wish, you could totally bypass / automate OOBE with a simple answer file, also bypassing account creation screens:


Kari
Yeah thanx Kari, I saw those workarounds - I was hoping we could get around all the MS proviso's including the internet connection, with just the registry stuff.

One can also just connect to the internet at the sign-in screen then disconnect while it's checking for updates and get the local sign-in for Home.

Actually this screen appears before sign-in.. just to be clear - we just need to get into OOBE with the internet connection.


1646114512860.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
Yeah thanx Kari, I saw those workarounds - I was hoping we could get around all the MS proviso's including the internet connection, with just the registry stuff.

One can also just connect to the internet at the sign-in screen then disconnect while it's checking for updates and get the local sign-in for Home.

Actually this screen appears before sign-in.. just to be clear - we just need to get into OOBE with the internet connection.


View attachment 23182
I think you have nailed it. This is easy to do when installing in Hyper-V as you can quickly disconnect by turning off wifi on host. Good spot!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
I think you have nailed it. This is easy to do when installing in Hyper-V as you can quickly disconnect by turning off wifi on host. Good spot!
Thanx M.. yeah, internet can be disconnected even at select keyboard stage - if installing on PC just switch off router at that stage.

Note: only tested with ISO as per my script above that has the BypassNRO already in the Setup registry - can't test on vanilla right now...
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
OK, so I thought I'd be clever and create an ISO with the bypass stuff (TPM, secure boot etc) with this script I wrote:


Well the bypass of the compatibility stuff works but the "BypassNRO" does not - gives me a restart loop with this screen - funny thing is it worked on initial testing with the Insider Home install - not sure if I changed something in the script..

Just an FYI .. more work on this needed to get this working properly.

View attachment 23153


Updated script now creates an ISO that installs without the internet requirement - OOBE does not check for updates when offline.


Tested by installing Home VM only with local account not connecting to internet at all. Will need to test other scenarios.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
As usual, you rock the house @Superfly! Good work.
=Ed=
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo X380 Yoga
    CPU
    i7-8650U (8th Gen/Kaby Lake)
    Motherboard
    20LH000MUS (U3E1)
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Integrated Conexant SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    FlexView Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 1 TB PCIe x3 NVMe SSD
    external 5TB Seagate USB-C attached HDD
    PSU
    Lenovo integrated 65W power brick
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop
    Keyboard
    Integrated Lenovo ThinkPad keyboard
    Mouse
    touchscreen, touchpad
    Internet Speed
    GbE (Spectrum/Charter)
    Browser
    all of em
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Purchased early 2019 as Windows Insider test PC
Insisting you install with an MS account is just not suitable for all situations.

One Size does not fit all.
I just found another situation where requiring an MS login - requiring a network connection at all - can be a show-stopper. Admittedly, this was on Win10, but I can't see how that matters. And this was not the OOBE environment, but it seems like a pretty parallel situation.

I just replaced the motherboard and CPU in a computer. Even though I usually use a local Windows account, I knew I had to use my MS account for reactivation of my license. No biggy; I was prepared for that. But I wasn't (emotionally) prepared for the Ethernet adapter to not work. Luckily the MB came with a DVD full of somewhat recent drivers, and luckily this was a very old PC with a DVD player. Too bad I couldn't get logged in without that network connection. (Yes, I know I could have defined a PIN to use offline, but I hadn't done that. After all, I just needed to use the MS account long enough to get through the hardware upgrade.) I might have been able to plug in a USB-attached Wi-Fi adapter, but I wasn't sure if the signin procedure would allow me to set it up.

Luckily, I had defined a user account for my wife eons ago - never used as far as I know, and luckily I gave it admin authority. I rebooted, logged on as my wife, and loaded the drivers. And even more luckily, it was a driver problem rather than a hardware problem. The Ethernet adapter worked after another reboot.

Now I know that is was not a typical situation, but anybody with an out-of-the-box computer and no pre-existing MS account would be dead in the water without a working network adapter. There really needs to be a way to get past that MS account requirement.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME H370-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 2043BWX
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 256GB
    WDC 1TB NVMe
    WD 3TB external USB drive
    PSU
    I don't remember
    Case
    Corsair something-or-other
    Cooling
    Air CPU + 2 case fans
    Keyboard
    DAS S Pro (Cherry Brown)
    Mouse
    Logitech USB of some sort
Now I know that is was not a typical situation, but anybody with an out-of-the-box computer and no pre-existing MS account would be dead in the water without a working network adapter. There really needs to be a way to get past that MS account requirement.
It's called Audit Mode. Entering Audit Mode would allow you to install necessary network adapter drivers before proceeding into OOBE where it requires you to connect to the internet.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Have you see this; apologies to all if you have.
Thanks for this, I saved it for later use.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz 4th Gen
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 780
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung C27F398 27" Curved
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1.0TB Samsung QVO 860 SSD SATA-6GB;
    2TB Seagate ST2000NM0011 72K SATA-6GB;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM006-2DM164 72K SATA-6GB
    PSU
    CoolerMaster MasterWatt 550 Watt Semifanless Modular
    Keyboard
    Dell USB (KVMS)
    Mouse
    Logitec USB (KVMS)
    Internet Speed
    484.75MB Down, 23.59MB Up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge - eM Client Pro for E-Mail
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Premium
    Other Info
    Purchased December 2013, many upgrades since then
I'm a MS Account user so for me I don't have a problem with it. I do have a request for MS though. If you make it mandatory, please allow us to choose our username and stop using the first five characters of our email.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I'm a MS Account user so for me I don't have a problem with it. I do have a request for MS though. If you make it mandatory, please allow us to choose our username and stop using the first five characters of our email.
Full MS account benefits and integration, with a user profile and profile folder named as you wish:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hyper-V Virtual Machine (host in System 2 specs)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Microsoft Hyper-V Video
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev Channel
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP HP ProBook 470 G5
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Motherboard
    HP 837F KBC Version 02.3D.00
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 & NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
    Hard Drives
    128 GB SSD & 1 TB HDD
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech MSX mouse
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech MK710 keyboard
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
    Browser
    Edge Chromium Dev Channel
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    2 * 3 TB USB HDD
    6 TB WD Mirror NAS
It's called Audit Mode. Entering Audit Mode would allow you to install necessary network adapter drivers before proceeding into OOBE where it requires you to connect to the internet.

Only way to exit Audit Mode and boot normally to OOBE is to use Sysprep. The problem is, Sysprep will fail if Internet is connected when entering Audit Mode.

Windows 10 version 1709 brought one, really extremely stupid change to Windows. Previously, use of any Store apps, including Edge and Store itself, was not possible using the built-in admin account and in Audit Mode. If tried, user was shown this:

010318_1144_Thisiswrong1.jpg

That meant, that because Store apps were not allowed, they were also not updated as soon as device had Internet connection. Not allowed, not updated, also meant they were not provisioned.

W10 version 10 changed this. Boot to Audit Mode with Internet connected, before you have had time to do anything, Store has started to update and provision the apps. This in its turn causes Sysprep to fail:

Sysprep fail.jpg

Long story, short version: If you want to work in Audit Mode, insert all required software installers, drivers etc. on your install media, then boot to Audit Mode without Internet connection.

Kari
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hyper-V Virtual Machine (host in System 2 specs)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Microsoft Hyper-V Video
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 PRO x64 Dev Channel
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP HP ProBook 470 G5
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-8550U
    Motherboard
    HP 837F KBC Version 02.3D.00
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 & NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop display (17.1") & Samsung U28E590 (27.7")
    Hard Drives
    128 GB SSD & 1 TB HDD
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech MSX mouse
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech MK710 keyboard
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up
    Browser
    Edge Chromium Dev Channel
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    2 * 3 TB USB HDD
    6 TB WD Mirror NAS
Only way to exit Audit Mode and boot normally to OOBE is to use Sysprep. The problem is, Sysprep will fail if Internet is connected when entering Audit Mode.

Windows 10 version 1709 brought one, really extremely stupid change to Windows. Previously, use of any Store apps, including Edge and Store itself, was not possible using the built-in admin account and in Audit Mode. If tried, user was shown this:



That meant, that because Store apps were not allowed, they were also not updated as soon as device had Internet connection. Not allowed, not updated, also meant they were not provisioned.

W10 version 10 changed this. Boot to Audit Mode with Internet connected, before you have had time to do anything, Store has started to update and provision the apps. This in its turn causes Sysprep to fail:



Long story, short version: If you want to work in Audit Mode, insert all required software installers, drivers etc. on your install media, then boot to Audit Mode without Internet connection.

Kari
I don't think that is completely true, Kari. I just did a clean install of Windows 11. I'm in Audit mode right now. I've connected to the internet, I've done all updates. I've installed MSI Center and NVIDIA Control Panel. Now I am getting ready to reboot into OOBE....

Capture.JPG
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
UPDATE:
I rebooted into OOBE and now I am posting this from the same install of Windows. It's odd, NVIDIA Control Panel is here from when I installed it in Audit Mode, but MSI Center is not.

Anyway, on my computer at least, Windows 10 Pro, latest ISO file, I was able to connect to the internet, do all updates in Audit Mode, install an app from the Microsoft Store, and reboot into OOBE with no issues (other than MSI Center disappearing).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!

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