Microsoft Windows news

Microsoft is closing a loophole that allowed users to bypass its Microsoft Account (MSA) and internet requirement when setting up a Windows 11 device. In its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build, the company has removed the long-used “bypassnro” command — a backdoor that let users complete the out-of-box setup offline and without linking a Microsoft account. This change, first reported by Windows Central, signals that Microsoft is no longer tolerating workarounds. The company claims the removal of the bypass script is intended to “enhance security and user experience,” forcing all new installations of Windows 11 to exit setup with both internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account in place. For now, there are still more complex workarounds available, such as tweaking the registry manually during setup with the following command: reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f shutdown /r /t 0 But these methods aren’t guaranteed to last, and Microsoft may patch them out soon. The move comes as Microsoft increases pressure on users to fully adopt its Windows 11 ecosystem, phasing out Windows 10 support by October 2025 and limiting installation options for users who don’t meet its strict hardware and setup requirements. If Microsoft moves forward with removing even the registry-level workarounds, users may be left with no official way to install Windows 11 without logging in or creating a Microsoft account. Read more in our articles including "Microsoft to Shut Down Popular Windows 11 Account Bypass, Forcing Online Setup for Everyone" and "Microsoft Officially Ends Support for Windows 10".