How To Setup Windows 11 Without Internet

So, you are all set to install Windows 11 on your brand-new laptop or desktop. In the wake to ensure that everything you have is on point, you head to this website to check Windows 11 requirements. As you scroll through the information, you stumble on this piece of information – 

Now, assuming that you don’t have an active internet connection or a Microsoft account, is there any way you can install and set up Windows 11? The answer is – Yes! You can. 

Before we dive straight into the methods, we recommend that you bookmark this post on another device with an active internet connection from which you can refer to the steps. 

The Basics – How To Install Windows 11 On Your PC

Step 1 – Navigate to the Windows 11 download page.
Step 2 – Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, click Download Now.
Step 3—You will now be able to download a tool to help you create a bootable version of Windows 11 on a USB flash drive.

Step 4 – Plug in your USB flash drive and run the Windows media creation tool you have just downloaded. 

Before this, ensure that your USB flash drive has at least 8 GB of storage and that you have already taken a backup before running the tool. Once you have created the bootable media, all the existing data in the flash drive will be removed. So, you can back up your USB flash drive data on another PC, on the cloud, or on various other platforms. 

Step 5—Plug your USB drive into a PC or laptop on which you want to install Windows 11 and turn it on. You will then be taken to the Windows 11 setup screen.
Step 6 – Follow the on-screen instructions, choose the right Windows 11 version (Home, Pro, or Education, based on your key), and choose the drive where you want to install Windows 11.

Step 7—Wait for the Windows installation to complete. Your PC may restart a couple of times during this process. 

Please note: We know that things may not always turn out as we expect them, so if your Windows 11 installation has failed, you can try these fixes. Another reason you might not be able to install Windows 11 Internet is outdated network drivers or the presence of no-device drivers. 

In either situation, you can conduct some essential checks or update missing drivers using a specialist tool.

How To Install Windows 11 By Bypassing Internet Connection and No Microsoft Account

Method No. 1 – Bypass OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) Requirement

Now that we have the basics down, let’s get to what we are here for – How to configure Windows 11 when you have no internet or Wi-Fi. The first method is bypassing the internet connection by bypassing OOBE using an elevated Command Prompt. To do that –  

Step 1 – First, ensure you are not connected to the internet and go through the installation process as normal.
Step 2 – Once you reach the screen that says Let’s connect you to a network, hold the Shift key and press the F10 key. This will open a new Administrator Command Prompt window.
Step 3 – In the Command Prompt window, type oobe\bypassNRO and hit the Enter key. Your computer will immediately reboot and you will be back on the region select screen.

Step 4 – Go through the setup steps. You will now notice that as soon as you reach the Let’s connect you to a network screen, you’ll see the I don’t have internet option at the bottom right corner of the screen. Click on it.

Step 5 – On the next screen, click Continue with limited setup. You should now be able to complete the setup and create a local account.

Method No. 2 – End Network Connection By Bypassing OOBE Requirement

To skip network setup while installing Windows 11, you can end or kill the network connection with the help of the Task Manager. To do that, follow the steps mentioned below – 

Step 1 – While on the Let’s connect you to a network screen, open the Administrative Command Prompt as shown in the steps above.
Step 2 – Type taskmgr, and press Enter. Alternatively, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
Step 3 – Under Process, locate the Network Connection Flow tab and click on it. Right-click on it, and select End Task.
Step 4 – Type exit in the Command Prompt to quit the Window. 

You will be redirected to the setup wizard. You can now proceed by entering your name and creating a local account on your Windows 11 PC to complete the setup process. 

What’s the Need for the Internet to Install Windows 11?

As per Microsoft – 

Connecting to the internet when you’re setting up your Windows 10 or 11 PC ensures you get the latest features and security updates. You’ll need an internet connection to finish setting up a device running Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home / Pro.

To Sum Up – Install Windows 11 Without Internet?

Although it is a requirement, if you are in a position where you don’t have Wi-Fi or another internet medium or you don’t have a Microsoft account, you can skip the internet check by bypassing OOBE requirements. You can also end Network Connection processes using the Task Manager. 

If you found value in this post, share it with a friend in your situation. For more such content, keep reading Systweak blogs. 

Also Read: How To Remove PIN And Password On Windows PC