How to Install Windows 11 without Internet Connection

clint patterson yGPxCYPS8H4 unsplash scaled
clint patterson yGPxCYPS8H4 unsplash scaled

This post shows students and new users the steps to install and set up Windows 11 without an internet connection. Unfortunately, windows 11 now requires an internet connection to finish its initial out-of-box experience setup (OOBE) for the Home and Pro editions, starting with the latest Insider Preview builds.

Microsoft encourages using Microsoft’s online account when setting up Windows 11 accounts. However, during the initial setup, when Windows detects no internet connection, it will redirect you to the “Oops, you’ve lost internet connection” page.

With the current Windows 11 setup, users can skip Microsoft’s online account and continue offline with a local account. Still, after the feature is released to all builds, the option to skip a Microsoft account and create an offline account will no longer work.

You will not be able to continue without an internet connection. However, there’s a workaround to get past this page without an internet connection; the steps below will show you how to do that.

How to set up Windows 11 with a local account without an internet

As mentioned above, when setting up a new Windows 11 set up and it detects no internet connection, it will redirect you to the “Oops, you’ve lost internet connection” page and won’t continue without an internet connection.

There’s a workaround to continue without an internet connection; the steps below show you how.

If you haven’t installed Windows 11, below are some posts that will help you.

Below are the steps to get Windows 11 without an internet connection.

During the Windows Setup window, select the language to install, time and currency format, keyboard input method, and click Next.

windows 11 install on virtualbox setup

After that, click Install now button to start the installation.

windows 11 install on virtualbox install

Windows will now continue and prompt for a product key to activate Windows. If you have it, type it in the field or click the link that you don’t have a product key to continue with the installation.

windows 11 install on virtualbox enter key

Next, select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install and click Next.

windows 11 install on virtualbox select pro

After that, accept the end user license agreement and continue.

windows 11 install on virtualbox accept eula

Next, select which type of installation you want. You can upgrade the previous Windows version or install a new copy. For this tutorial, we’re installing a new Windows 11.

windows 11 install on virtualbox custom install

Next, select the Unallocated space and click Next.

windows 11 install on virtualbox drive install

Then choose the country or region you are currently located.

windows 11 install on virtualbox location

Next, choose the keyboard layout or input method for your selected location.

windows 11 install on virtualbox keyboard

Without an internet connection, you’ll be redirected to a page prompting you to connect to the internet before continuing.

On the “Oops, you’ve lost internet connection” page, press the SHIFT + F10 keys on your keyboard to open the Command Prompt.

On the Command Prompt, type the commands below:

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

After typing the command and pressing Enter, Windows setup will automatically restart with an OOBE with the option to continue without an internet connection.

Click the I don’t have internet link as highlighted below.

Next, click the link that reads Continue with the limited setup, as shown below.

Next, type in the name of your computer and click Next.

windows 11 install on virtualbox pc name

After that, choose where and how you will use the Windows device; for personal use or set up for work or school.

windows 11 install on virtualbox personal use

Next, choose Offline account if you want to set up a local account on the computer without a Microsoft online account.

windows 11 install on virtualbox offline use

Next, type and confirm your password, including security questions.

windows 11 install on virtualbox user password

When you’re all done, Windows will reboot a couple of times and complete the setup. After that, you should be able to log in with the password created above.

windows 11 install on virtualbox desktop

That should do it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to set up Windows 11 without a local account, and Microsoft online account with the latest Windows builds. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.

Posted by
Richard W

I love computers; maybe way too much. What I learned I try to share at geekrewind.com.

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