Windows 11 setup without internet has become a bit of a puzzle lately. As someone who often installs operating systems on virtual machines or fresh PCs, I’ve run into this frustrating wall: Microsoft now requires an internet connection during setup, even for Windows 11 Pro. And if you’ve ever been stuck in a no-Wi-Fi environment (or just want to skip signing in with a Microsoft account), you’ll understand why that’s a problem.
So, can you still install Windows 11 without internet? The short answer: yes. In this guide, I’ll walk you through three practical methods I’ve personally tested to bypass the online requirement and complete your Windows 11 setup offline, with zero Microsoft sign-in drama.
Windows 11 Setup Without Internet Using Command Prompt
During the Windows 11 setup without internet, you may encounter a requirement to connect to the internet or sign in with a Microsoft account, which can be inconvenient in certain situations. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward method to proceed without an internet connection using the Command Prompt. This method ensures you can bypass network requirement Windows 11 effortlessly during setup. Here's how you can do it:
Step 1: When you’re at the network connection screen or stuck on the Microsoft account sign-in screen, press Shift + F10 on your keyboard. This opens up the Command Prompt window.
Note: If Shift + F10 isn’t working for you, ensure it’s enabled in your BIOS settings.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type the following command exactly: “OOBE\BYPASSNRO”. Then press Enter.
Step 3: Your computer will automatically restart and bring you back to the setup screen.
Step 4: This time, you should see the “I don’t have internet” option. Click it to move forward.
Step 5: Next, select “Continue with limited setup”.
Step 6: From here, go ahead and create your local account by entering a username, password (optional), setting your security questions, and choosing your privacy settings.
This process allows you to install Windows 11 without internet easily. It has worked without fail for me every time I have tried it on any of my PCs.
Windows 11 Setup Without Internet Using Pre-Configured ISO
If the command prompt method didn't work out the best for you, then I can assure you that this one will 100 percent work, as this is what most of the professionals use. This method is perfect for creating a Windows 11 setup offline without interruptions.
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO file from the official Microsoft download page. Select the version you need, confirm the language, and save the file to your PC.
Step 2: Download the Rufus utility from the official site. Open the application, insert a USB drive, and ensure it has sufficient space.
Note: Rufus will reformat the USB drive, so back up any important data first.
Step 3: In Rufus, click Select to choose the downloaded Windows 11 ISO file. Confirm the USB drive is correctly selected, then click Start to create the bootable media.
Step 4: A new window should pop up in that window, select only the option to remove the requirement for an online Microsoft account.
Step 5: Boot your PC using the USB drive. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows 11, you should be able to bypass the internet requirement with ease now.
Open Extracted Files & Work Offline with WPS Office
After finishing the Windows 11 setup without internet, I needed to get back to a few urgent files, mainly a budget spreadsheet and a presentation draft I’d saved locally. Like many, my first instinct was to reach for Microsoft Office. But it reminded me, once again, how clunky it can feel when you’re offline, not to mention the licensing issues on a fresh install.
That’s when I opened WPS Office. No sign-in, no delay, it launched instantly. I was able to edit the Excel file, skim through the PowerPoint slides, and even annotate a PDF, all without any hiccups. It handled every format I threw at it, and because it’s so lightweight, my system didn’t even flinch. Honestly, WPS saved me that day, I was able to make a few last-minute edits and send them off the moment I got reconnected. It just worked, exactly when I needed it to.
Here are some of the reasons why i believe WPS Office is a must-have on your Windows 11 system:
Work on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files seamlessly, even without an internet connection.
Access core features instantly without requiring a sign-in.
Fully compatible with both Windows 11 Home and Pro editions.
Leverage WPS AI for tasks like summarizing or formatting whenever you're back online.
FAQs
Q1: Can I install Windows 11 Home without an internet connection?
Yes, you can! There are workarounds like using the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command or pre configured ISO files to bypass the requirement.
Q2: Why does Windows 11 require the internet during setup?
It’s mainly because Microsoft wants to encourage users to sync their data with the cloud and use a Microsoft account for setup.
Q3: Will skipping the internet affect system updates later?
Not at all. Once you connect your system to the internet, you can download and install updates as usual.
Q4: Can I convert my Microsoft account to a local account after setup?
Absolutely! Just head to Settings, go to Accounts, then Your Info, and choose the option to "Sign in with a local account instead."
Optimizing Your Offline Experience
Setting up Windows 11 without internet is entirely possible with the right approach, whether it’s a Command Prompt bypass or a preconfigured ISO. I’ve used both successfully depending on the situation.
And once you're in, WPS Office is my top pick for getting straight to work, offline, stable, and fast. I’ve relied on it time and again when I needed to work with documents before getting back online.
