Installing Windows 11 Offline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft says that users need to be connected to the internet in order to install Windows 11. This is because you have to sign in to your Microsoft account during the installation process in order to get important system updates and new features. This can be hard to do, though, if you want to use a local account or are somewhere without a network.

We have given you four options to help you with this: how to sign in with a local account, how to activate Windows without a network, how to use a cellular hotspot as a temporary network, and how to put off updates until you can connect to the Internet again. Following these steps will make it easy to install and set up Windows 11 when you're not online.

1. Create a Windows To Go USB to Install Windows 11

A reliable and powerful disk manager called AOMEI Partition Assistant can help you install Windows 11 without internet. Its "Windows To Go Creator" feature is designed for users who need a Windows 11 environment but don't have an eligible device. What's more, it allows you to create a portable USB not only for Windows PC but also for Mac computer.

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Step 1. Connect a USB drive larger than 13GB and download Windows 11 ISO file on your current computer.

Step 2. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Then click "Tools" >  "Windows To Go Creator" on the top interface.

Step 3. Choose "Create Windows To Go for personal computer" and click "Next". If you want to boot Windows from USB on Mac, just tick the second option.

Step 4. Choose the first option and click the folder icon to select Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded before manually. After that, click "Next" to continue.

Step 5. Select the prepared USB drive as your target drive and click "Proceed".

Step 6. Read the warning about all data will be erased carefully, and then click "Yes" to start creating.

After that, any time when you need to use Windows 11, you can boot the computer from this Windows 11 To Go device.

This multifunctional also supports these functions:

1. Partition Management: AOMEI Partition Assistant enables you to resize, move, merge, and delete partitions with ease. You can also convert partition types, align partitions like 4K Alignment for SSD to enhance system performance, and create new partitions without losing data.

1. Disk Partitioning: The software allows you to create, delete, and format partitions, as well as convert between MBR and GPT partition styles, which is particularly useful for newer UEFI-based systems.

2. Disk Cloning: If you are planning to upgrade to a better disk, you can also use it to clone your entire disk or a designated partition. With it, you can quickly transfer the data to the new disk without reinstalling Windows or applications.

3. Disk Cleanup and Drive Space Expansion: The software can even help you clean up accumulated and hidden junk files, including temporary files, cache, and system restoration points, freeing up storage space on your computer.

2. Bypass OOBE Internet Requirement

If you type OOBE \BYPASSNRO in the Command Prompt, you can skip the "Let's connect you to a network" screen. Bypassnro.cmd, which is in the System32 folder, is used to change the Windows registry. (a CMD script that already exists).This lets you set up Windows 11 even if you're not online.

Step 1. Remove the Internet connection and boot your computer using Windows installation media. Skip to Step 7 if you are on the "Let's connect you to a network" screen.

Step 2. Choose your preferred language, time zone, and keyboard layout when the "Windows Setup" dialog box displays, then click "Next." Click "Install Now."

Step 3. Enter your product key. If you don't have a product key, click the "I don't have a product key" link or check the following post.

Step 4. Then, select the Windows 11 version to install. To accept the terms, check the box and select "Next."

Step 5. Select "Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)" to choose the installation drive and hit "Next." After Windows installation, restart your computer.

Step 6. In the setup screen, select your region and keyboard layout.

Step 7. When you enter "Let's connect you to a network," press "Shift + F10" to launch the Command Prompt. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press "Enter."

Step 8. Click "I don't have Internet" when you return to the "Let's connect you to a network screen." option. Go ahead and select "Continue with limited setup."

Step 9. Accept the "License Agreement" before creating your local user account.

Step 10. Add security questions to recover your local user account when you forget the password. 

3. End Network Connection

To skip the network connection requirement of Windows 11 setup, you can kill or end the network connection via Task Manager or Command Prompt:

Option 1. End Network Connection via Task Manager

Step 1. In the "Let's connect you to a network screen" screen, hold "Shift + F10" to open the Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type taskmgr and hit the "Enter" key to launch Task Manager, or you can use the "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" shortcut keys.

Step 3. Click "More Details" to expand Task Manager to the full version. Navigate to the "Network Connection Flow" tab under "Processes." 

Step 4. Right-click it and choose the "End task" option. When this process is finished, type exit in the CMD and quit.

Option 2. Kill Network Connection via Command Prompt

Step 1. When you are in the "Let's connect you to a network" screen, hold "Shift + F10" to bring up the Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type the taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe and hit "Enter" to begin.

4. Skip Internet Requirement via Alt + F4

We all know that pressing "Alt + F4" can close windows or open apps on your desktop. So, if you have nothing better to do, this is one way you can try your luck. Hold down "Alt + F4" on the "Let's connect you to a network" screen to close the window that you need for the Internet connection.

Conclusion

Because you need to sign in to a Microsoft account, installing Windows 11 without an internet connection can be hard. You can install and set up Windows 11 without a network, though, if you have the right tools and know-how. These steps will help you get Windows 11 up and running even when you're not connected to the internet. They include making a Windows To Go USB, getting around the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) requirement, stopping network connection processes, and using keyboard shortcuts to skip necessary steps. You can keep flexibility and control over the installation process by following these steps, no matter how you connect to the internet.

FAQs

1. Can I install Windows 11 without an internet connection? Yes, it is possible to install Windows 11 without an internet connection using various methods such as creating a Windows To Go USB, bypassing the OOBE internet requirement, ending network connection processes, or using the Alt + F4 shortcut.

2. What is the "Windows To Go Creator" feature in AOMEI Partition Assistant? The "Windows To Go Creator" feature in AOMEI Partition Assistant allows you to create a portable USB drive with Windows 11. This enables you to run Windows 11 on any compatible device without requiring an internet connection during installation.

3. How does the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command help during Windows 11 installation? The OOBE\BYPASSNRO command helps bypass the "Let's connect you to a network" screen during the Windows 11 installation process. This allows you to proceed with the setup without needing an internet connection.

4. What should I do if the "Let's connect you to a network" screen appears during setup? You can press "Shift + F10" to open the Command Prompt, then use commands like taskkill or OOBE\BYPASSNRO, or you can use the Task Manager to end the network connection process, or simply press "Alt + F4" to close the network requirement window.

5. Is it possible to use a local account instead of a Microsoft account during Windows 11 installation? Yes, by bypassing the internet connection requirement and following specific steps during the setup, you can create a local user account instead of signing in with a Microsoft account.