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. ?