Solved What is "oobe\bypassnro"

NavyLCDR · Mar 5, 2022

When installing Windows 11, if you want to get around having to connect to the internet and login with a MS account, you can enter the command prompt and run:
oobe\bypassnro

I always thought oobe was the command and \bypassnro was an option switch, and I found it completely odd there was no space in there. I was wrong. The command prompt opens in C:\Windows\System32. In \Windows\System32, is a folder called oobe. And inside the oobe folder is bypassnro.cmd. So, that is what you are running with the command oobe\bypassnro.

The bypassnro.cmd is a script which contains:
@echo off
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

So, it is really a registry key that causes oobe to not require a network, and then subsequently allow you to create a local account on a clean install.

Ghot · Mar 5, 2022

If you take away OOBE, you end up with...

National Reconnaissance Office - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

GraulgesF · Mar 5, 2022

Interesting

cereberus · Mar 5, 2022

NavyLCDR said:
When installing Windows 11, if you want to get around having to connect to the internet and login with a MS account, you can enter the command prompt and run:
oobe\bypassnro

I always thought oobe was the command and \bypassnro was an option switch, and I found it completely odd there was no space in there. I was wrong. The command prompt opens in C:\Windows\System32. In \Windows\System32, is a folder called oobe. And inside the oobe folder is bypassnro.cmd. So, that is what you are running with the command oobe\bypassnro.

The bypassnro.cmd is a script which contains:
@echo off
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

So, it is really a registry key that causes oobe to not require a network, and then subsequently allow you to create a local account on a clean install.

Of course, now this is known, what is the betting MS remove that cmd file in release version?

Probably a good idea to make a copy now, so it can be added to the installation usb to save having to type the command in manually.

Naturally, MS could go one stage further and fully hard code to require network.

I think they have a Whack-A-Mole department for this sort of thing.

Edit: Just tested it, and it works great - some minor points to note:

1) You have to press shift+f10 at screen asking for internet, as it does no work if you do it earlier in oobe process (at least not from first screen)

2) Upshot of this is you go through oobe from scratch, so no point in adding additional keyboards first time round before you press shift+f10.

3) Obviously, disconnect from internet, before install OS. If installing on Hyper-V, do not forget to change virtual switch setting to "not connected" (I presume other vms can do similar).
Alternatively, disconnect from internet on host (I prefer to do former so internet can still be accessed from host).

Fabler2 · Mar 5, 2022

I think they have a Whack-A-Mole department for this sort of thing.

FreeBooter · Mar 5, 2022

I have made video for that in this video, i will show you how to set up Windows 11 without an active Internet connection. Microsoft now requires an active Internet connection to set up a computer with both Windows 11 Home and Pro. That requirement became mandatory with the release of build 22557.

bobkn · Mar 6, 2022

Ghot said:
If you take away OOBE, you end up with... :)

National Reconnaissance Office - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Uh-oh. You may have their attention, now. When outside, stop looking up.

(Ridiculous movie: Enemy of the State.)

Ghot · Mar 6, 2022

bobkn said:
Uh-oh. You may have their attention, now. When outside, stop looking up.

(Ridiculous movie: Enemy of the State.)

LOL

Ztruker · Mar 7, 2022

NavyLCDR said:
When installing Windows 11, if you want to get around having to connect to the internet and login with a MS account, you can enter the command prompt and run:
oobe\bypassnro

I always thought oobe was the command and \bypassnro was an option switch, and I found it completely odd there was no space in there. I was wrong. The command prompt opens in C:\Windows\System32. In \Windows\System32, is a folder called oobe. And inside the oobe folder is bypassnro.cmd. So, that is what you are running with the command oobe\bypassnro.

The bypassnro.cmd is a script which contains:
@echo off
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

So, it is really a registry key that causes oobe to not require a network, and then subsequently allow you to create a local account on a clean install.

Works either way though, with or without the space between OOBE and \bypassnro.

fg2001gf11F · Sep 4, 2022

NavyLCDR said:
When installing Windows 11, if you want to get around having to connect to the internet and login with a MS account, you can enter the command prompt and run:
oobe\bypassnro

I always thought oobe was the command and \bypassnro was an option switch, and I found it completely odd there was no space in there. I was wrong. The command prompt opens in C:\Windows\System32. In \Windows\System32, is a folder called oobe. And inside the oobe folder is bypassnro.cmd. So, that is what you are running with the command oobe\bypassnro.

The bypassnro.cmd is a script which contains:
@echo off
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

So, it is really a registry key that causes oobe to not require a network, and then subsequently allow you to create a local account on a clean install.

oobe\bypassnro is no longer a valid method to install without network with Build 25193.
It ends up with this screen. whatever that means?

Bree · Sep 4, 2022

fg2001gf11F said:
It ends up with this screen. whatever that means?

It appears you may be trying to install on a PC that has been supplied already enrolled in Windows Autopilot. This is a technology for Enterprises to deploy their custom system configuration to an employee's PC when they first connect to their network, and thereafter to manage it. Either that, or the ISO you are trying to install for some reason requires Autopilot.

Autopilot Device deployment for hybrid work | Microsoft 365

Windows Autopilot revolutionizes the way IT manages computer assets. Discover the ease of Windows 11 device management and new deployment options

www.microsoft.com

fg2001gf11F · Sep 4, 2022

Bree said:
It appears you may be trying to install on a PC that has been supplied already enrolled in Windows Autopilot. This is a technology for Enterprises to deploy their custom system configuration to an employee's PC when they first connect to their network, and thereafter to manage it.

Autopilot Device deployment for hybrid work | Microsoft 365

Windows Autopilot revolutionizes the way IT manages computer assets. Discover the ease of Windows 11 device management and new deployment options

www.microsoft.com

That is not the case, mine is a personal Laptop. The same command still works fine with previous Build 25188.
Other users have verified the same issue.
Looks like MS closed that door for installing without Network connection.

cereberus · Sep 4, 2022

fg2001gf11F said:
That is not the case, mine is a personal Laptop. The same command still works fine with previous Build 25188.
Other users have verified the same issue.
Looks MS closed that door for installing without Network connection.

It is possible all they have done is remove the batch file that does the regedit.

Try creating the batchfile manually from @NavyLCDR's post, and see if that works?

Edit: just tested it on 25193 and indeed the batch file is still there, and runs ok, but then on oobe restart, it falls over as @fg2001gf11F says.

This feels more like a bug to me rather than removing option - if option was removed, I would expect it to return back to ask you to reconnect to internet page.

Of course, it could be the "whack-a-mole" department as I said earlier flexing their muscles LOL.

fg2001gf11F · Sep 4, 2022

cereberus said:
It is possible all they have done is remove the batch file that does the regedit.

Try creating the batchfile manually from @NavyLCDR's post, and see if that works?

I've already restored a working system.
I'll check again with the next Build. Clearly, they changed something with this build 25193.

cereberus · Sep 4, 2022

fg2001gf11F said:
I've already restored a working system.
I'll check again with the next Build. Clearly, they changed something with this build 25193.

I edited post. It falls over with 25193.

fg2001gf11F · Sep 4, 2022

cereberus said:
I edited post. It falls over with 25193.

Yes. I just checked, the bypassnro.cmd is still there with the same parameters.

@echo off
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0

Bree · Sep 4, 2022

cereberus said:
This feels more like a bug to me rather than removing option....

If this build included the code for Autopilot version 18362.267 then it's a known Autopilot bug that has been resolved in later versions. If so it should go away in the next Dev build.

Windows Autopilot reports an AUTOPILOTUPDATE error during OOBE after sysprep, reset, or other variations. This issue typically happens if you reset the OS or used a custom sysprepped image.

Windows Autopilot known issues

Be informed about known issues that might occur during Windows Autopilot deployment.

docs.microsoft.com

fg2001gf11F · Sep 4, 2022

Bree said:
If this build included the code for Autopilot version 18362.267 then it's a known Autopilot bug that has been resolved in later versions. If so it should go away in the next Dev build.

Windows Autopilot known issues

Be informed about known issues that might occur during Windows Autopilot deployment.

docs.microsoft.com

Is this what you are referring to?

* Windows Autopilot reports an AUTOPILOTUPDATE error during OOBE after sysprep, reset, or other variations. This issue typically happens if you reset the OS or used a custom sysprepped image.

WAI · Sep 4, 2022

Just a quick question... I like these cmd but why does Microsoft have such cmds

Bree · Sep 4, 2022

fg2001gf11F said:
Is this what you are referring to?

* Windows Autopilot reports an AUTOPILOTUPDATE error during OOBE after sysprep, reset, or other variations. This issue typically happens if you reset the OS or used a custom sysprepped image.

Yes, and I quoted that passage in my post...

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