The problem with requiring internet to install Windows 11

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Agent 17 hours ago

So I am going to give a perfect example of why Windows 11 requiring internet to install is a BAD idea.

Recently I switched to intel, bought a u5 245k on prime deals along with a B860 MSI Gaming Plus motherboard.

I put the build together, download the latest copy of W11 off the Microsoft website, and proceed to install from USB. Get to the network section and says I have no internet.

Hold on, but I am using ethernet? Removed the cable and plugged back in, still nothing. Now I'm stuck and decide to install the motherboards LAN driver on the website on a spare machine. It uses the intel killer network LAN driver.

Try to run the USB driver during the install, doesn't show the files to run.... Then I'm left with the only option luckily still left. Do the CMD magic, enable local account and get into Windows desktop.

Open the USB again and I am able to download the LAN drivers and now can finally connect to the internet.

Scenarios like this is why we need local account access. I added my Microsoft account and did all the updates as soon as this was done.

Last edited by Agent; 17 hours ago

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Showing 1-15 of 28 comments

C1REX 17 hours ago

My 2 PCs have the same problem where Windows installer has no WiFi/Ethernet/Lan drivers. It was a headache in the past but it's even more of a problem now where I need to do extra steps to get into a local account offline and install drivers from an USB stick.

emoticorpse 17 hours ago

I'm not sure anyone needed an example to demonstrate why an internet connection is required for an os install. We could all kind of guess the scenarios.

That being said, I really would like to re-remind everyone that reads this that an internet connection is only required on paper and isn't really required. Key words are "isn't really required".

Do yourselves a favor and if it's worth it to stay on Windows learn to get around that brick wall, it'll make your life easier.

Vox 17 hours ago

Use Rufus to burn the iso file to usb, it removes the internet requirement, so you can use a local account.

Schrute_Farms_B&B 17 hours ago

Sorry if this comes off a bit rude, but all that drama and headache could’ve been avoided with a quick Google search. The internet requirement during the Windows 11 installation has been a known issue since day one and there are simple workarounds built right in.

Just press Shift + F10, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO.
Done. No internet required for installation.......

There are even a few other alternative methods to install Windows 11 offline if you prefer, but this one is the easiest and works every time. Honestly, it’s worth taking two minutes to look this up before jumping trough hoops.

Agent 17 hours ago

Originally posted by Schrute_Farms_B&B:
Sorry if this comes off a bit rude, but all that drama and headache could’ve been avoided with a quick Google search. The internet requirement during the Windows 11 installation has been a known issue since day one and there are simple workarounds built right in.

Just press Shift + F10, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO.
Done. No internet required for installation.......

There are even a few other alternative methods to install Windows 11 offline if you prefer, but this one is the easiest and works every time. Honestly, it’s worth taking two minutes to look this up before jumping trough hoops.

Because it was never an issue before as my previous boards defaulted to a generic LAN driver, but there are some boards that of course this won't work.

I was already aware of the bypass, it was just used as a last resort. I am just saying that these workarounds should be kept as it can make some builds impossible to install without it.

Agent 17 hours ago

Originally posted by C1REX:
My 2 PCs have the same problem where Windows installer has no WiFi/Ethernet/Lan drivers. It was a headache in the past but it's even more of a problem now where I need to do extra steps to get into a local account offline and install drivers from an USB stick.

It is more tedious than before that's for sure.

Dusk of Oolacile 17 hours ago

Your entire premise is wrong. You don't need internet access for installing either 10 or 11. When you reach account creation, you just click more options -> domain join. You don't actually need to join a domian, it's misleading. It just lets you create a local account.

Note that any edition of windows that doesn't have this option is an extreme security risk and you shouldn't be using them under any circumstances. Why would you willingly install malware? You're better off even with Windows 95.

Monk 17 hours ago

I was never aware the work arounds were going anywhere, are you suggesting they are?

If they are not, I'm kind of at a loss as to the point of the post, you didn't even post the work around for anyone if they googled the issue and this came up.

Thankfully schrute farms decided to.

Schrute_Farms_B&B 17 hours ago

Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:
Your entire premise is wrong. You don't need internet access for installing either 10 or 11. When you reach account creation, you just click more options -> domain join. You don't actually need to join a domian, it's misleading. It just lets you create a local account.

Note that any edition of windows that doesn't have this option is an extreme security risk and you shouldn't be using them under any circumstances. Why would you willingly install malware? You're better off even with Windows 95.

That’s actually not true. The “domain join” option you’re referring to only existed in older builds of Windows 11 Pro and all versions of Windows 10. Microsoft has since removed or hidden it in newer releases of Windows 11 (starting with 22H2) especialy in the Home edition. On a fresh Windows 11 install today if you don’t have an internet connectio, you’ll get stuck at the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen with no visible option to continue offline as other users have already mentioned.

And no, a Windows ISO that doesn’t show this option is not “malware” or a “security risk" by any means..... That’s just Microsoft trying to push users toward signing in with a Microsoft account. The system itself is perfectly legitimate and safe, it’s just more restrictive by design.

Bad 💀 Motha 16 hours ago

It does not need online at all. It provides local account options. You must be doing something wrong.

Be sure to select English (World) from the start. Do not use English (US)

#10

Agent 16 hours ago

Originally posted by Monk:
I was never aware the work arounds were going anywhere, are you suggesting they are?

If they are not, I'm kind of at a loss as to the point of the post, you didn't even post the work around for anyone if they googled the issue and this came up.

Thankfully schrute farms decided to.

The workaround is still freely available as - Shift + F10 then in CMD start ms-cxh:localonly

There's not much point putting it in the post as Microsoft keeps removing workarounds. One posted here is legacy and no longer works.

#11

Dusk of Oolacile 16 hours ago

Originally posted by Schrute_Farms_B&B:
Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:
Your entire premise is wrong. You don't need internet access for installing either 10 or 11. When you reach account creation, you just click more options -> domain join. You don't actually need to join a domian, it's misleading. It just lets you create a local account.

Note that any edition of windows that doesn't have this option is an extreme security risk and you shouldn't be using them under any circumstances. Why would you willingly install malware? You're better off even with Windows 95.

That’s actually not true. The “domain join” option you’re referring to only existed in older builds of Windows 11 Pro and all versions of Windows 10. Microsoft has since removed or hidden it in newer releases of Windows 11 (starting with 22H2) especialy in the Home edition. On a fresh Windows 11 install today if you don’t have an internet connectio, you’ll get stuck at the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen with no visible option to continue offline as other users have already mentioned.

And no, a Windows ISO that doesn’t show this option is not “malware” or a “security risk" by any means..... That’s just Microsoft trying to push users toward signing in with a Microsoft account. The system itself is perfectly legitimate and safe, it’s just more restrictive by design.

Sorry for hurting the feelings of your favorite gigacorporation.

#12

Schrute_Farms_B&B 16 hours ago

Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:
Originally posted by Schrute_Farms_B&B:

That’s actually not true. The “domain join” option you’re referring to only existed in older builds of Windows 11 Pro and all versions of Windows 10. Microsoft has since removed or hidden it in newer releases of Windows 11 (starting with 22H2) especialy in the Home edition. On a fresh Windows 11 install today if you don’t have an internet connectio, you’ll get stuck at the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen with no visible option to continue offline as other users have already mentioned.

And no, a Windows ISO that doesn’t show this option is not “malware” or a “security risk" by any means..... That’s just Microsoft trying to push users toward signing in with a Microsoft account. The system itself is perfectly legitimate and safe, it’s just more restrictive by design.
Sorry for hurting the feelings of your favorite gigacorporation.

So this is your entire response?
You’re not addressing any of the points I made or acknowledging that they’re accurate, just a personal jab? :D

#13

Edd 13 hours ago

Quickest solution without headaches:
This only works for Android users!
1. Connect your phone via USB to your machine
2. On your phone go to Settings -> Sonnections -> Mobile Hotspot and Tethering (the path might vary depending on the brand)
3. Activate USB tethering
Now you have internet access.
Latest Windows 11 update, 25H2, it requires you online account and all offline accounts have bees disabled. No more bypassnro and no more ms-cxh:localonly.
Check Chris Titus Tech's Youtube channel, it posted on October 10th a video with his workaround.

#14

Anti-Sauron 13 hours ago

Everything requires internet now so not even sure why people have a problem with Windows 11 and the internet, good luck getting a job without th e internet.

#15

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Date Posted: 20 Oct @ 2:33am

Posts: 28

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