Chicago
Track Your Order
0
How to Install and Set Up Windows 11 Without an Internet Connection
- You can use Command Prompt to bypass network setup in Windows 11 when you don't have an internet connection or want to create a local account.
- Alternatively, you can open Task Manager during setup and end the Network Connection Flow process to skip the network setup in Windows 11.
Windows 11 requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account to finish setting up your new computer. However, if you don't have an active internet connection or want to use a local user account, you can follow these methods to set up Windows 11.
1. Bypass Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) Internet Requirement
You can bypass the Let's connect you to a network screen using the OOBE \BYPASSNRO command in Command Prompt. When executed, it runs an existing CMD script, bypassnro.cmd, stored in the System32 folder to modify the Windows registry. This modification allows you to complete the Windows 11 setup without an internet connection. To do this:
- Boot your computer with the Windows installation media. Skip to Step 6 below if you are already on the Let's connect you to a network screen.
- When the Windows Setup dialog appears, select your preferred language, time, and keyboard input layout and click Next. Then, click Install Now.
-
Enter your product key to activate Windows 11. If you don't have a product key, click the I don't have a product key link in the bottom-right corner. If you're upgrading from Windows 10 or an older version of Windows 11, the OS will automatically recognize and validate the Windows product key linked to your computer's hardware.
- Next, if prompted, select the edition of Windows 11 you want to install. Check the box to accept terms and click Next. Then, select Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced).
- Select the installation drive and click Next. Wait for Windows to finish installation and restart your computer. In the setup screen, select your region and keyboard layout.
- Once in the Let's connect you to a network screen, press Shift + F10 to launch the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
- Now, your system will restart and relaunch the OOBE dialog. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. When you reach the Let's connect you to a network screen, click I don't have Internet.
- Next, click Continue with limited setup. Then, accept the license agreement and proceed to create your local user account.
Also, make sure to add security questions. This will help you recover your local user account in case you forget your password. Once done, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
: BIG Windows 10 "Fall Creators" Update: New Features (Viral Tech)
2. End the Network Connection Flow Process Using Task Manager
You can bypass the "let's connect you to a network" screen by ending the oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe process. Since you already have Windows 11 installed at this stage, you can launch the Task Manager on top of your setup wizard using Command Prompt and kill the process.
This method may not always work as new Windows updates often patch such workarounds.
To skip the Windows 11 network setup using Task Manager:
- Assuming you're in the Let's connect you to a network screen, press Shift + F10 to launch the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type taskmgr and hit Enter to launch Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch it.
- Click More Details to open Task Manager in full view.
- Head to the Processes tab and use the search bar in Task Manager to find the Network Connection Flow process.
- Select the Network Connection Flow process and then click the End task button. Wait for the process to end, and then close the Task Manager.
- Type exit in the Command Prompt and hit the Enter key.
The installation process will refresh, and you'll be redirected to the setup wizard. It will show some loading animation and then proceed to the next step. Here, enter your name and password to create a local user account in Windows 11 and complete the setup.
Once you finish the setup, connect to the internet. Then, head to Settings > Windows Update and download all the critical security and feature updates. You may also notice a few missing icons after the initial setup. Windows will download these icons when you connect your PC to the internet.
