Microsoft is closing a popular loophole that allowed users to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.

The change has appeared in recent Insider builds of Windows 11, indicating it is likely to be included in the production version soon.

Microsoft refers to these loopholes as "known mechanisms" and is talking about local commands in this instance. You can learn all about these in our piece for getting Windows 11 installed with a local account, but suffice to say start ms-cxh:localonly is no more.

"While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use," Microsoft said.

"Users will need to complete OOBE with internet and a Microsoft account, to ensure [the] device is set up correctly."

The change is part of Microsoft's ongoing game of Whac-A-Mole with users trying to find ways of avoiding its online services. In March, it removed the bypassnro.cmd script that allowed users to get through the Windows 11 setup without needing an internet connection. That time, Microsoft said the change was to "enhance security and user experience of Windows 11."

To get the extension and stay on Windows 10, users need to choose from one of three options: they can cash in 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, sync their Windows Backup to Microsoft OneDrive, or pay an upfront fee of $30.

While the first two options may seem free, they are closely tied to Microsoft's own services. The backup option might also push some users to purchase extra OneDrive storage since, by default, only 5GB is free.

These conditions didn't sit well with consumer advocacy group Euroconsumers. The group raised its concerns with Microsoft, which it felt was violating the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). "Linking access to essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft's own services raised reasonable doubt of compliance with obligations under Article 6(6) of the DMA," it says.

In response to the group's concerns, Microsoft has decided to make the extended security updates for Windows 10 completely free in the European Economic Area (EEA): no reward points or backups required.

The ability to get free updates on Windows 10 is a pretty big deal because it is still the most widely used Windows OS, accounting for just over 53% of installs as of May 2025. That leaves millions of people without security support in just a month unless they upgrade. The cloud backup option gives users a way out without costing them any money.

The only potential issue is OneDrive. Anyone with a Microsoft account gets up to 5GB of storage for free. However, as The Verge points out, some backups may exceed this limitation, requiring users to purchase a monthly or yearly plan. At $2 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, a year of OneDrive still costs less than the $30 for a year of additional security updates, but it may still cause frustration among some customers.

The ability to get free updates on Windows is a pretty big deal because....

as The Verge points out, some backups may exceed this limitation, requiring users to purchase a monthly or yearly plan. At $2 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, a year of OneDrive

At $2 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, a year of OneDrive still costs less than the $30 for a year of additional security updates...

! wrote: ↑

2025-08-12 16:00

These machines seem to break easy or made of cheap junk, so I guess it's good nothing is actually "stored" on it locally. On the other hand, techies, will not like it.