#Microsoft is removing the possibility to use a local account with #Windows.
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/03/28/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5516-dev-channel/
"We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11."
Oh, okay, but how does it improve security or user experience?
"This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account."
Ah, so it does not improve security or use experience. It in fact is making the user experience worse, as you no longer can set up Windows offline easily.
The only reason is to force more users to sign up to Microsoft account.
#enshittification
9 Comments
1smoothcriminal@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
bishoponarope@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
Microsoft is removing the possibility to use
a local account withWindowsChivera@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
I'm just on Windows until October then I'm going to try moving to Linux
infinity@infosec.exchange · 1 pts · 1y
@harrysintonen@infosec.exchange Dropping to a command prompt during installation with Shift+F10 (or Fn+Shift+F10) and running the following two commands manually still works:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
shutdown /r /t 0
harrysintonen@infosec.exchange · 1 pts · 1y
@infinity Yeah, it does for now. I fully expect Microsoft to remove that registry key or the associated functionality next.
After all not doing so would mean that users could accidentally setup the system "without working internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account".
That would be terrible for security and user experience *cough* business.
Alexstarfire@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
They keep doing an awful lot to dissuade people from upgrading from windows 10.
david_chisnall@infosec.exchange · 1 pts · 1y
@harrysintonen@infosec.exchange Does this mean that you can't finish setting up a Windows machine without an Internet connection? That's going to cause flashbacks for a lot of us who remember installing XP during Slammer and having the new install compromised before you could even try running Windows Update, so needed to install, log in, and then install updates from a CD-R before you connected the network cable.
HardlyWorgen@mstdn.party · 1 pts · 1y
@harrysintonen@infosec.exchange https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/an-even-better-microsoft-account-bypass-for-windows-11-has-already-been-discovered
harrysintonen@infosec.exchange · 1 pts · 1y
@HardlyWorgen@mstdn.party Sure, those methods might work for now. But if Microsoft follows their reasoning ("We’re removing X from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.") they will remove these methods eventually as well.
neildarlow@mastodon.me.uk · 1 pts · 1y
@harrysintonen@infosec.exchange It's a case of "If you don't run MacOS or GNU/Linux you do as Microsoft says!".
For a lot of people, brought-up in the Microsoft ecosystem this isn't a concern. In fact, after buying a machine with Windows pre-installed, creating or entering your Microsoft account credentials is likely perceived as their first customisation.