Solved new laptop no internet

I see references to W11 Pro set up with no internet, no MS account etc etc all over the place. I am sorry to say, I really prefer a clear and concise answer. I hope I can get it from this forum.

Brand new laptop still in the unopened box. W11 Pro on it. Never been turned on. I want to first time fire it up and prevent it using a MS account. I read about OOBE and RUFUS and, and, and I just don't feel comfortable with much of it. I am also 80 years old if that has anything to do with it.

I do not want running on an MS account but a local one. I do not want a user folder(?) consisting partially of my name. I want it to be named Owner. I want to eventually avoid login (netplwiz).

Its venue has WiFi and Ethernet available but I want to start with a computer that has neither.

I would assume it is as simple as shutting down WiFi/Ethernet router, plug the laptop into power and fire it up, but somehow I expect a problem .... for some reason. For instance, shut down router, new computer starts with WiFi active and picks up a neighbors signal ... thereby interrupting what I want to do. though as long as I don't actually connect, I should be OK. Thing is, seems like a one shot deal. I realize this is setting up the machine, and I can't assume it has a factory image restore .... that would let me start over if anything goes awry.

Any expert opinions, advice, questions are greatly appreciated in advance.

When you reach step 15 from the Clean install tutorial, is where you begin to take action to create a local account

Notes:
a. Name of the user profile folder:
If you set up a local account in Windows and name it "Simon", the user profile folder will be named:
C:\Users\Simon
So in your case you would have to log in as Owner and set up the account in that name.

b. Establishing any internet connection via wi-fi is clearly prompted and under your control. I.e. it can't happen via wi-fi without you explicitly approving it.

c. I can't assume it has a factory image restore .... that would let me start over if anything goes awry.

Click to expand...

If you want to start again, simply reset Windows in the appropriate way (Tutorial available).


d. Beware:

I want to eventually avoid login (netplwiz)

Click to expand...

That's fine, but ensure you make a secure note of your password as even if you don't need it to log in, there are still some circumstances where you can be prompted for it.

dalchina said:

Notes:
a. Name of the user profile folder:
If you set up a local account in Windows and name it "Simon", the user profile folder will be named:
C:\Users\Simon

Click to expand...

EXACTlY ... in my case C:\Users\Owner That is exactly what I am trying to do as I power this new machine up rather than start the MS account routine.

dalchina said:

So in your case you would have to log in as Owner and set up the account in that name.

Click to expand...

That is why I want to prevent a MS account. Maybe I am over complicating. "Normally" one ends up with an MS account and a profile name MS chooses for you .... often a partial of the user's name. In the past, for me, fixing that is a pain. I think I hear if I end up with a MS account and a goofy profile name, I simply create ANOTHER local account with a name Owner which gives me what I want, ... and then remove the goofy account???? That's not too hard to do, .... but if I set up 'with no internet' that is all done for me.I'm just trying to avoid MS account altogether ... from the beginning.

dalchina said:

b. Establishing any internet connection via wi-fi is clearly prompted and under your control. I.e. it can't happen via wi-fi without you explicitly approving it.

Click to expand...

Got it.

dalchina said:

If you want to start again, simply reset Windows in the appropriate way (Tutorial available).

Click to expand...

Not a Windows reset ... a 'factory' reset/restore. Being a brand new machine, I want to see and decide what kind of 'fat' is on it. If what I am trying to accomplish is a local account to begin with, it should have a profile name of my choosing (Owner) on a local account. I think I will be fine if I can just get to the point where there is an option for 'no internet'.

dalchina said:

d. Beware:

That's fine, but ensure you make a secure note of your password as even if you don't need it to log in, there are still some circumstances where you can be prompted for it.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I'm good with netplwiz.

I REALLY appreciate your time, patience and courtesy.

Megahertz said:

When you reach step 15 from the Clean install tutorial, is where you begin to take action to create a local account

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

This is what you want to do. It works on almost all new PC's. I've seen only a couple of HP laptops that the Shift F10 or Fn Shift F10 doesn't work.

This is what you want to do. It works on almost all new PC's. I've seen only a couple of HP laptops that the Shift F10 or Fn Shift F10 doesn't work.

Click to expand...

Yes, Sir. I feel confident thanks to all you great guys.

Not a Windows reset ... a 'factory' reset/restore.

Click to expand...

Perhaps you are not familiar with the Windows reset options.
See:
'Remove everything'.

And of course you are free at anytime to create a Windows installation disk and clean install Windows yourself. (Tutorials available). A clean install means you delete all existing Windows O/S partitions.