I set up a local only Windows 11 machine recently.
1. Install with throwaway Microsoft account 2. Create new local admin account 3. Use local admin account to delete setup account
Not ideal, but not difficult either.
1. Install with throwaway Microsoft account 2. Create new local admin account 3. Use local admin account to delete setup account
Not ideal, but not difficult either.
I use https://rufus.ie/en/ when creating bootable USB sticks, and it turns out that this tool detects when you're trying to create a Windows installation medium, and prompts with a list of useful customizations, including "Remove requirement for online Microsoft account". (if you look through the screenshots on the webpage, there's one with the Windows customization dialog box)
However, as I mentioned below, I read something recently that says local account options are being removed in an upcoming version (I can't find the article now).
I presume it means the binaries are being removed from the ISO so this may no longer work (except for Enterprise and LTSC I'd imagine).
It's just that they've been hiding it more and more for consumer installations in successive releases.
Effectively, expect even enterprise to be online first with an escape hatch for those customers that need it, obviously only available on E5 or something like that...