This may not still be true, but previously if you disconnected or removed the NIC during installation, after some haranguing you could setup a local account. (Note that this is still obviously bad, but if you need a solution, it might provide one.)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

You actually have to exit the setup menu(f2 iirc), run a specific command, and then it will let you make an offline account.

If you don't have a NIC, it will make you get an internet connection before proceeding. That was my experience on my laptop. What had happened was that for whatever reason, my wifi card wouldn't work with the amd motherboard in my laptop (it wasn't cnvio, and it was the same issue with ac 7265 and an ax210). So I had to resort to that to install windows.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Ah, fair enough.

I haven't used, or especially installed, Windows in years. Wasn't sure if what I described was still the case. Good to know there's still a way, though, in case I get desperate!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's really not that hard to use a local account. When it askes for a Microsoft account just hit SHIFT+F10 then type in the command "oobe\bypassnro" and the pc will reboot. Now just don't let the computer connect to internet, and when it askes for internet hit "I don't have an internet connection" and then it will let you continue with a local account.

....I admit though... as I typed that out its pretty annoying lol Not hard, but like... just annoying.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

I was actually wondering, when the previous commenter referenced the setup menu, if the shift+F10 thing still worked. I know it brings up the command prompt in the install interface, but in case you didn't know, it also brings up the command prompt in general use Windows. (Or it used to. Again, I'm very out of date on the subject.)

I think "not hard, just annoying" means that anything tech related is out of reach for most people, unfortunately. Plus, to be honest, most people probably won't care about or see a problem with Microsoft forcing an online account on them. I'm happy they're happy, but their privacy ends not with a bang, but a whimper.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

That is good information to have!

Just as a matter of interest - and especially relevant given your username - I received a new BeeLink S12 Pro Mini PC just last night and it still comes with this sticker attached (provided with apologies for my poor photography skills):