OOBE not welcoming

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

I’m just setting up a used laptop from oobe and have to laugh at the way it works now. After connecting to the internet it says Windows is doing some updates - and basically tells you to go away and wait! Can’t remember the exact words but I don’t remember it doing this before. Feel free to go off and do something for ages rather than actually use or set up your laptop.
Ag it just popped up again “Feel free to walk away “!!!! Not very welcoming.

So 15 to 20 minutes of doing nothing before you even get to sign in with a Microsoft account.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Also has something else changed re signing in with a local account. When I do shift f10 and try to type oobe\bypass nro - keyboard doesn’t work. (Although that might be the laptop as I’m just setting it up to test it) but the keyboard worked ok to enter the wifi password.

Berton · Jan 18, 2025

The last 3 Notebooks I've set up with the Home edition [last one on the 13th] have required a Microsoft Account with E-Mail address and did not need a Password, just a PIN. Also different was the C:/system/boot drive on them was automatically encrypted with Bitlocker but no key was given or asked for. The user name was the first 5 characters of the E-Mail used. On one I was still able to use Accounts to set up a Local Account with Admin rights. On one I did need to download the Wireless drives on a different machine and put on a Thumb drive so the install could get the connection, apparently the other 2 had drivers available.

Bree · Jan 18, 2025

Hazel123 said:
When I do shift f10 and try to type oobe\bypass nro - keyboard doesn’t work. (Although that might be the laptop as I’m just setting it up to test it) but the keyboard worked ok to enter the wifi password.

It's just that the command prompt window doesn't have focus (yet) when it opens. Just click on it, then you can type into it. It's been like that since at least June:
Brand new lenovo W11.....setting it up....no OOBE function... - post #4

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Thanks Bree - I’ll try that. I shouldn’t have connected wifi - can’t seem to disconnect it now.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Clicking on it worked but it just starts again and sends me round in a loop and back to the sign in page again.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Does fake@fake.com still work?

Edit - no it doesn’t.

I tried switching the computer off and starting again hoping I could opt not to connect to the internet but it’s just connected now and doesn’t give me that option.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

This is annoying - can’t get the option to sign in with a local account. I don’t particularly want to disconnect the router as it’s Starlink and takes ages to get going again once disconnected.

I guess I could just set up a new ms account and not use it but would like to sign in with a local account to check the machine out.

BamaInArk · Jan 18, 2025

If I install Win11 24H2 clean now I use a RUFUS modified version to avoid all the OOBE madness.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Thanks. I can’t do a clean install yet as need to check out everything works ok on the laptop in case I need to return it

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

It’s getting tedious now. Even trying to set up a new email address and ms account it wants an alternate email address to continue.

Anyone know how I can just start again and disconnect this laptop from the internet - without turning the router off!

Tried pressing the airplane mode function button but that didn’t help.

Bree · Jan 18, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Clicking on it worked but it just starts again and sends me round in a loop and back to the sign in page again.

You need to be disconnected from the Internet before booting to the OOBE. Do NOT connect to WiFi else it will not let you create a local account.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Thanks. Yes I forgot that! Ended up making a new gmail email and opening a new Microsoft account with that.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Bree said:
You need to be disconnected from the Internet before booting to the OOBE. Do NOT connect to WiFi else it will not let you create a local account.

So now I’ve got to the desktop I’m resetting it - is there any chance I can now set up with a local account? Or will it still remember the wifi?

Helmut · Jan 18, 2025

You have to switch off/disable your Wireless Access Point, no Ethernet cable either, when setting up a new Laptop. Then it will have no internet access and gives you the option of continuing with a Local Account.

Of course then there will be no updates, and you just go thru the OOBE.

Later on you can easily change to using a Microsoft Account if you wish.

In the Wireless Access Point of my Router you have to switch off both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios.

Of course the sensible adult way is to give the user options so you can choose, rather than all this palaver.

cereberus · Jan 18, 2025

Hazel123 said:
I’m just setting up a used laptop from oobe and have to laugh at the way it works now. After connecting to the internet it says Windows is doing some updates - and basically tells you to go away and wait! Can’t remember the exact words but I don’t remember it doing this before. Feel free to go off and do something for ages rather than actually use or set up your laptop.
Ag it just popped up again “Feel free to walk away “!!!! Not very welcoming.

So 15 to 20 minutes of doing nothing before you even get to sign in with a Microsoft account.

Yeah this change is absolutely ridiculous.

The way round it is to create a local account with internet off (oobe\bypassnro method).

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Yes that worked - resetting then I was able to do oobe\bypass nro and set up a local account. I just didn’t want any personal info on the drive in case the laptop has to go back.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

Helmut said:
You have to switch off/disable your Wireless Access Point, no Ethernet cable either, when setting up a new Laptop. Then it will have no internet access and gives you the option of continuing with a Local Account.

Of course then there will be no updates, and you just go thru the OOBE.

Later on you can easily change to using a Microsoft Account if you wish.

In the Wireless Access Point of my Router you have to switch off both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios.

Of course the sensible adult way is to give the user options so you can choose, rather than all this palaver.
View attachment 122522

Thank you. I just set up a new account which I’ll delete again later - then reset and was able to bypass internet connection then and use a local account.

It was just quicker than messing with my router settings (when teenager is permanently on the internet).

antspants · Jan 18, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Thank you. I just set up a new account which I’ll delete again later - then reset and was able to bypass internet connection then and use a local account.

It was just quicker than messing with my router settings (when teenager is permanently on the internet).

Just tell your teenager that you have a list of chores you need done immediately and watch them remember an appointment to meet with friends. Works every time at my place, as does a slap upside the head.

Hazel123 · Jan 18, 2025

It’s not necessary now

. The router is in his room as well.

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