Create a local account when installing Windows 10 (1909 and later)

Since Windows 10 1909, it is no longer possible to create a local account when installing Windows 10. Indeed, Microsoft now requires the creation and use of a Microsoft account to log in to Windows 10.

In this tutorial we will see how to create a local account instead of a Microsoft account when installing Windows 10.

Preamble: local account vs. Microsoft account

Windows 10 supports two types user account:

• an account local, which is not connected to any Microsoft online service.
• an account Microsoft, which is connected to many Microsoft services such as Office 365, OneDrive and provides extended functionalities such as synchronization of settings, downloading of applications through the Microsoft Store …

If you are committed to respecting your privacy, a local user account is preferable. Indeed, by using a Microsoft account, a good amount of your personal data is collected by Microsoft.

Turn off telemetry and tracking on Windows 10

Before Windows 10 1909, it was possible to create a local account when installing Windows 10. An option “Offline account” allowed the use of a local account rather than a Microsoft account:

Unfortunately, since Windows 10 1909, this option is masked, making the creation of a local account impossible :

Only theFamily edition Windows 10 is affected by this change: it no longer has the option “Offline account” to create a local account.

On the other editions (Professional, Company…), it is always possible to create a local account.

To work around this limitation, there are many solutions :

• Disconnect your computer from the Internet. To do this, unplug the Ethernet cable or do not enter the security key of your Wi-Fi connection when Windows 10 asks you to do so.
• Enter an incorrect phone number several times. The Windows 10 installer will automatically switch to creating a local account.
• Create a local account AFTER installing Windows 10 then delete the Microsoft account.
• Temporarily deactivate the network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) on which the Internet access is located. In the absence of an Internet connection, Windows 10 will then offer you to create a local account. It is this solution that I offer you here! ?
  

Create a local account when installing Windows 10

1. Run the Windows 10 installation until you get toconfiguration screen. You can achieve this by:
   
2. Continue to the screen Sign in with Microsoft. As you can see, there is no longer the option “Offline account”.
   
3. Open a Command Prompt by pressing the keys ⇧ Maj + F10.
   
4. Open the “Network Connections” window by entering the command control netconnections then Enter.
   
   
5. Disable Internet access by right-clicking on your network connection> Deactivate.
   

   Internet access is now disabled.

   
6. Return to the “Microsoft Account” window by pressing the keys Alt + Tab ↹.
   
   
7. Click on the button following.
   
8. The message “An error has occurred (OOBEIDPS)” is displayed. Click on Try again or Ignore.
   
9. There you are, you are now on the screen that allows you to create a local account!
   
10. Before continuing, reactivate Internet access: do Alt + Tab ↹ to return to the “Network connections” window then reactivate the network connection.
    
11. Close the “Network Connections” window.
12. You can now create your local account and continue installing Windows 10. ?
    

✓ Congratulations! You have successfully created a local user account when installing Windows 10 1909 or later. ?