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Microsoft is taking a firmer stance regarding the setup of Windows 11 devices, mandating that users connect their devices to the internet and log in with a Microsoft account. In its latest Insider Preview build, the company has announced the removal of a commonly used bypass script that previously allowed users to complete the setup process without adhering to these requirements.
As outlined by Windows Central, while an internet connection has been a prerequisite for Windows 11’s setup, users had a means to bypass this requirement using the bypassnro command, particularly beneficial for IT professionals and users who prefer not to associate their machines with a Microsoft account.
The rationale provided by Microsoft for this change centers around security enhancements:
Removing the bypassnro.cmd script aims to improve both the security and user experience of Windows 11. This reassures that all users complete the setup process with both internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
With the elimination of the bypassnro command in the latest beta version, it is anticipated that this change will soon be implemented in the stable release. However, current users can still enable the bypass through a registry modification performed via the command prompt during the setup process (accessed with Shift + F10) using the following command:
reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0
Nevertheless, this workaround may not be viable indefinitely, as Microsoft could impose stricter enforcement measures. Another option available is the unattended.xml automation, which facilitates bypassing the initial setup steps for mass deployments, though it is more suited for IT departments rather than individual users due to its complexity.
Source
www.theverge.com