Microsoft’s latest Insider build removes the easy option to create a local account during Windows 11 setup, changing the Out of Box Experience so users must sign in online with a Microsoft account. The update in Build 26220.6772 (KB5065797) explicitly blocks previously known methods that let users bypass online sign-in, directly affecting anyone who prefers an offline local account during installation.
Microsoft defends the decision by saying some local account workarounds led to incomplete device configuration and setup errors, and that forcing a Microsoft account ensures consistent synchronization of system services such as OneDrive and Office integration. Critics counter that the change erodes user choice and increases dependency on the Microsoft ecosystem, while raising new privacy concerns for those who prefer to remain offline.
As a minor concession, the company added a new option to customise how the user profile folder is named when an online account is used, addressing a long-standing annoyance caused by automatic folder names derived from email addresses. Still, the broader removal of straightforward local account setup has drawn strong reactions from power users, IT administrators and privacy advocates.
Experts note that technically skilled users and administrators can still deploy Windows 11 without linking an online account by using tools and methods such as Rufus, Ventoy, unattended setup scripts or custom ISO images that automate local account creation. These alternatives require extra steps and technical know-how, meaning average users in Pakistan and elsewhere will likely be pushed toward creating Microsoft accounts during setup.
The move fits a wider strategy to bind Windows more closely to cloud services and subscriptions, a trend that mirrors other major platforms. For Pakistani organisations and home users who frequently reinstall systems in low-connectivity environments or who manage devices without internet access, the removal of easy local account setup complicates established workflows and may increase administrative overhead.
While Microsoft cites reliability and security benefits, many in the community view the change as narrowing user control. For now, the focus on online sign-in and the blocked OOBE workarounds mark a clear shift in how Windows 11 installations will be managed going forward, with implications for privacy, offline use and system administration.
