Bypass Internet Requirement in Windows 11 22H2

This guide shows you how to install Windows 11 22H2 without an internet connection or Microsoft account sign-in. Normally, Windows 11 Setup forces you to connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). This workaround uses a hidden command prompt to bypass that requirement, letting you create a local account and finish setup offline. You’ll need a Windows 11 22H2 installation USB or ISO, and a keyboard.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 22H2 installation USB drive or ISO file (mounted or burned to a USB).
• A PC that meets Windows 11’s minimum hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage).
• A keyboard to type commands during setup.
• Administrator-level access to the BIOS if you need to adjust boot order (usually not required).

Step-by-Step

1. Boot from the installation media. Insert your USB drive or boot from the ISO (via a virtual drive or a bootable USB). Restart your PC and press the key to open the boot menu (often F12, F10, or Esc). Choose your USB drive or the drive containing the ISO.
2. Start Windows Setup. When the Windows Setup window appears, select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, then click Next.
3. Click “Install now”. On the next screen, click the Install now button. If you have a product key, enter it; otherwise, click I don’t have a product key (you can enter it later).
4. Choose the edition and accept the license. Select the Windows 11 edition you have a license for (e.g., Home or Pro), click Next, then check the box to accept the license terms and click Next.
5. Select “Custom: Install Windows only”. When asked for the installation type, choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
6. Partition your drive (if needed). Select the drive where you want to install Windows. You can delete, format, or create partitions here. If you’re unsure, just select the primary drive and click Next. Windows will create the necessary partitions automatically.
7. Wait for files to copy. Setup will copy files and restart your PC automatically. When it restarts, it may boot to the USB again—if so, remove the USB drive or press any key when prompted to boot from the hard drive.
8. Reach the OOBE screen. After the restart, you’ll see the “Let’s get you connected” screen (or similar) that asks you to connect to a network. This is where the bypass happens.
9. Open the command prompt. Press Shift + F10 (or Shift + Fn + F10 on some laptops) to open a Command Prompt window. This works even on the network screen.
10. Type the bypass command. In the command prompt, type the following exactly and press Enter:
    start ms-cxh:localonly
    This command launches the Windows 11 setup in a special local-only mode that skips the internet and Microsoft account requirements.
11. Close the command prompt. After running the command, close the Command Prompt window (type exit and press Enter, or click the X).
12. Proceed with setup. The OOBE should now skip the network connection screen and take you directly to the “Who’s going to use this PC?” screen. Enter a username for your local account.
13. Create a local account. Type a username, then click Next. You’ll be prompted to create a password—you can leave it blank if you want, but it’s safer to set one. Then click Next.
14. Finish setup. Follow the remaining prompts (privacy settings, etc.) to complete the setup. Windows will finish installing and take you to the desktop.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the command wrong. The command is start ms-cxh:localonly—make sure there’s a space between “start” and “ms-cxh:localonly”, and the colon is after “ms-cxh”.
• Pressing the wrong key for Command Prompt. On some laptops, you need to press Shift + Fn + F10 or Shift + F10 depending on the function lock. Try both if the first doesn’t work.
• Booting from the USB again after restart. If your PC boots back into the USB installer, remove the USB drive before restarting, or press any key when the “Press any key to boot from USB” message appears to skip it.
• Using the command on the wrong screen. The command works during OOBE, but if you’ve already connected to a network, you might be past the point. You can still use it to skip the Microsoft account sign-in, but the network screen may reappear later—just close it.
• Forgetting to close the Command Prompt. If you leave it open, it might interfere with the setup. Close it before continuing.

Tips

• Use a wired connection if you can. Even though you’re bypassing the requirement, having an internet connection later will help with updates and drivers. You can connect after setup.
• Create a local account with a strong password. Even if you plan to use a Microsoft account later, a local account with a password is more secure than a blank one.
• Keep the command prompt shortcut in mind. The same Shift+F10 trick works in many Windows setup screens, so you can use it to open Command Prompt for other troubleshooting.
• If you’re installing on a virtual machine, you can also disable the network adapter in the VM settings before booting, which sometimes skips the network requirement without the command.
• After setup, you can still switch to a Microsoft account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead” if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting

• Command Prompt doesn’t open. Try pressing Shift + F10 again, or use Shift + Fn + F10. If it still doesn’t work, check if your keyboard has a function lock key (F-Lock) and toggle it.
• The command doesn’t do anything. Make sure you typed it correctly and pressed Enter. If nothing happens, try typing oobeypassnro (without quotes) and press Enter. This is an older command that also works on some builds.
• The network screen still appears. After running the command, you may need to click the “Back” arrow on the network screen to return to the previous screen, then continue. Or, close the Command Prompt and restart the PC—the bypass should persist.
• Setup freezes or crashes. This is rare, but if it happens, restart the PC and boot from the USB again. You may need to delete any partial partitions and start over.
• You can’t create a local account. If the “Who’s going to use this PC?” screen still asks for a Microsoft account, run the command again, then click the “Back” button and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bypass work on Windows 11 23H2 or 24H2?

Yes, the same command works on later versions of Windows 11, including 23H2 and 24H2, as long as the OOBE interface hasn’t changed significantly. Microsoft has not removed this method as of now.

Will I lose any features by using a local account?

You’ll lose features that require a Microsoft account, like OneDrive sync, Microsoft Store purchases, and some personalization sync. You can still use most Windows features, and you can sign in with a Microsoft account later.

Can I use this method if I have a product key?

Yes, you can enter your product key during setup or skip it and enter it later. The bypass doesn’t affect product key activation.

Is this bypass legal?

Yes, it’s a legitimate workaround that Microsoft has left in place. It doesn’t bypass activation or licensing—only the internet and Microsoft account requirements during setup.

Why does Windows 11 require internet in the first place?

Microsoft wants to encourage users to create a Microsoft account, which enables cloud features and improves security. The requirement also ensures the device gets updates and drivers during setup.

What if I already have Windows 10 and want to upgrade to 11 22H2 offline?

You can use the same method by running the setup from the ISO inside Windows 10. During the upgrade process, you’ll reach the OOBE after restart, and you can use the Shift+F10 command there as well.

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