I'm wondering if there's a way to set up my new laptop without needing to connect a Microsoft account, like my Hotmail or having to create a new Outlook account with a lengthy password. Is it possible to bypass this requirement?
5 Answers
You can actually use Rufus to bypass the Microsoft account requirement and create a local account instead when setting up your new laptop.
Another option is to set it up with a Microsoft account first, then quickly create a local user account, give it admin rights, and log out to the new account. Just takes a minute! It's strange how much time people spend figuring this out.
Recently, Microsoft made some changes. If you're not installing from USB, it might be tricky to avoid the account. There might still be workarounds though! Let me know if you discover any.
That's frustrating! I wanted to start fresh too, but Microsoft complicates things.
If you're using a cheaper new laptop that isn't in S mode, you can press SHIFT + F10 during setup, type in start ms-cxh:localonly and follow the steps to set up without an account.
You can also create your installation media using Rufus and disable the requirement for a Microsoft account. Personally, I prefer not to deal with BitLocker either; it's usually more hassle than it's worth for everyday use.
Totally agree about BitLocker! It can be a pain.
I'll have to check out Rufus, sounds helpful!
That's what I did for my gaming PC. If it malfunctions, I'll just reinstall everything. No way I'm leaving a shared machine connected to my Microsoft account!