Can I force a Local Account in laptops?

Hello!

I noticed that some laptops will not allow you to create a local account once connected to Wi-Fi. They only have the option to create a Microsoft Account at first configuration (OOBE). I could not figure out how to create a local account and it was one of my customer's laptop, so I didn't like to use my Microsoft account, even temporarily. I had no other option than to reset Windows 10 and configure it again, this time without connecting to Wi-Fi. Is there any other workaround? How can I force a local account if I have been connected to the Wi-Fi? I would not like to use a Microsoft account and then switch to local. I want to create a local account from first login! Is this possible?

Thank you!

PS: If this has been asked before please point to the appropriate thread.

spapakons said:

I noticed that some laptops will not allow you to create a local account once connected to Wi-Fi...

It's a bug. It doesn't come up much, because the combination to produce this bug is relatively rare: 1809 Pro + Network connection while setting up OOBE for first time. The bug is only in Pro, 1809 Home works normally, as do all editions of 1903 (and all versions before 1809). See this thread for the bug and a workaround (use a non-existent phone number like 1234567890, then the next screen saying the number is wrong has the local account option).


Clean install without using either a MS account or a phone number

Yes, I try to avoid connecting to the internet before OOBE is complete, but it was one of my colleagues who didn't know and fall to the trap. I was wondering if you can then go to a local account. I guess the only solution is to switch off the router, so Windows cannot find an internet connection and suggest creating a local account instead. This could be done at home, but at work this would mean to switch off the corporation router, not really an option.... Thank you for your help, I'll mark it solved.

spapakons said:

... it was one of my colleagues who didn't know and fall to the trap. I was wondering if you can then go to a local account...

Yes, you can. Give it a phone number instead of am email address, making sure you use a number that won't work, 1234567890 is a good one to use. The next screen says you can't use that number and has the option to use a local account.

spapakons said:

and it was one of my customer's laptop, so I didn't like to use my Microsoft account, even temporarily.

If it is a "customer's" laptop, I would not be creating any account on it at all, unless they specifically requested it, and they provided the specific username and password they wanted on it. To set up a computer for someone else, I use the Audit Mode of Windows setup. After the reboot during Windows setup at the OOBE screen, press CTRL + SHIFT + F3 to enter Audit Mode. When you are done setting everything up, use the Sysprep window to select OOBE at next boot and the shutdown option. This will delete the temporary admin account you were logged into in Audit Mode and set the computer up as if no account was ever created.

NavyLCDR said:

If it is a "customer's" laptop, I would not be creating any account on it at all, unless they specifically requested it, and they provided the specific username and password they wanted on it. To set up a computer for someone else, I use the Audit Mode of Windows setup. After the reboot during Windows setup at the OOBE screen, press CTRL + SHIFT + F3 to enter Audit Mode. When you are done setting everything up, use the Sysprep window to select OOBE at next boot and the shutdown option. This will delete the temporary admin account you were logged into in Audit Mode and set the computer up as if no account was ever created.

Thank you for this info, but as long as I put USER as username and no password hardly anyone bothers to change it. If they like to change it, I would happily guide them. Most customers want a computer ready for use, they do not want to bother replying to the OOBE screen and they are likely to complain if they are stuck somewhere and do not have a clue what to do.

Installing Windows 10 in old AMD 64 computers:

Hello!
I recently encountered a couple old computers (laptop and desktop) with AMD Athlon 64 or similar CPU. To save you frustration, I have to say that I could not install Windows 10 directly on them. They had some issues at the initial configuration - OOBE stage and I could not complete installation and see the desktop. So I installed Windows 7 instead and then I upgraded to Windows 10 without any issue! Run Aida64 or Speccy to see if the CPU supports the CMPXCHG8B and CMPXCHG16B instructions. If it does, you can install Windows 8/10 64-bit, otherwise you can install Windows 7 64-bit but not Windows 10 64-bit. So if you need Windows 10, you have to install Windows 7 32-bit and then upgrade to Windows 10 32-bit. Of course make sure you can find drivers for 64-bit before attempting to install them.

I hope that helps.