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Kinda related: back on Windows 7 I did add my MS account to Credentials Manager out of pure curiosity. But there was nothing else that could be done beside storing login and password. Even Windows Live applications bundle hold login data separately from Manager.

So I removed that account but when W10 was released, it was offered during initial setup of upgraded system. Windows still stored information about that account somewhere.

And yes, there are system tools still present today in W11 that allows users to create additional local accounts beside the default one set during installation - that's mmc snap-in (terrible name) local users and groups or net user for console. But I totally get it and support: people don't want to be forced for an online account out of the box, for a local workflow.

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You don’t have to login with the online account. Before you install:

- Disable the network cards in the BIOS

- Install

- When prompted to setup the network press Shift+F10

- Type: start ms-cxh:localonly

- Setup the local account

- After install completes re-enable the network cards in the BIOS

Nothing could be easier. Truly the most user-friendly OS.

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Microsoft is even trying to get Windows IoT / Embedded to be MS accounts vs local. The same method for disabling ease of local user accounts are being enabled there.

Windows IoT still forces all the useless trash to be installed ... such as XBox game bar. I have to spend every few months going through the means to disable this trash via the registry so it can be automated in air-gaped systems.

Original Window Embedded, pre-IoT branding, allowed full customization. Now it is near equivalent to standard desktop.

You have to pay me to use Windows OS ... even with gaming.

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You do not need to disable network interface cards. Just do not connect a network cable and do not connect to a wifi ssid.

You also do not need to supply a password for the new local user account. It will now automatically login and have local admin rights.

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There is easier method. Set up local account during creating Win bootable install device via Rufus. During actual Win install it skips all steps about crating local account. Done.
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If you have Pro edition you don't have to do any of that.

Click "Sign in options"->Domain Join Instead

That's it, it''ll have you create a local account.

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