I'm trying to activate Windows 11 on a PC I'm setting up for someone else. I've done this a million times before, but today it's acting up and wants me to log in with a Microsoft account to activate it. I don't want this account tied to my personal information since it's for a stranger. I created a ProtonMail email for this purpose, but it's currently locked after attempting to connect with a third-party site. I've looked up anonymous email options, but none seem to work for creating an account. Is there a way to set this up without my information being connected?
5 Answers
Why not just create an Microsoft account for him? You can plan a time for him to share the two-factor authentication code when it pops up. He should ideally have his own account anyway for ownership reasons.
You could try reinstalling with an unattended XML file. There are generators online that can help you set that up, and it should bypass the MS account requirement.
I've heard that using Rufus can help you create a Windows installer that bypasses the Microsoft account requirement. It's much easier than the media creation tool, so you might want to try that!
Absolutely! Just remember, you can also hit Shift + F10 during the install and use the command 'oobe\bypassnro' to bypass the login. This usually lets you install without an Internet connection or Microsoft account.
If you're worried about using your main email to create the Microsoft account, you could use an alias. Add something like '+temp' to your email. It'll still go to your main inbox but allows some separation.
Have you considered just putting Windows 10 on it? Sometimes it automatically upgrades to Windows 11, and you can find tons of Windows 10 keys floating around.
I get that you want to avoid making him create an account—it does sound a bit odd—but it's actually better for him in the long run.