Bypass internet connection to install Windows 11

[theSEMAR]

Windows 11 requires an internet connection to finish the initial setup (out-of-box experience (OOBE)) for the Home and Pro editions starting version 22H2, but there’s a way to bypass the requirement.

Bypass Out-of-the-Box-Experience (OOBE) Internet Requirement:

- In the "Let's connect you to a network" screen, press Shift+F10 to launch cmd

- Type the following command: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
note: it's blackslash "\" and not slash "/"

- After successful execution, the system will restart and restart the OOBE session box, when you reach the "Let's connect you to a network" screen, click "I don't have Internet", continue to click "limited setup", accept the license agreement and continue to create a local user account.

[RobertX]

Or, if you have Rufus, you can configure your ISO to not have annoying shit because it provides a list of stuff to bypass before writing to the stick.

[dueda]

I tried Rufus on many occasions, with many versions of Windows and a bunch of thumb drives. Almost always got a fail and a dead usb drive.

[BaLuX]

I think disconnecting your computer from the Internet also works.

[RobertX]

You need to make an unattended install of your Windows 11. To do this, you make an "answer file" that Windows setup uses to direct its installation. It's an XML file.

An example is this:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="https://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="https://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <OOBE>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
                <ProtectYourPC>3</ProtectYourPC>
            </OOBE>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="https://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="https://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <DynamicUpdate>
                <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
            </DynamicUpdate>
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/INDEX</Key>
                            <Value>1</Value>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <UserData>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
                <ProductKey>
                    <Key></Key>
                    <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
                </ProductKey>
            </UserData>
        </component>
    </settings>
</unattend>

Save the file as: autounattend.xml and put it on the root of the Windows image.

It even works on VirtualBox in case you doubt my words.

EDIT: If you want to configure the unattended install using a program, there is NTLite (https://www.ntlite.com/). When you save changes and decide to copy over the image/directory, make sure you copy the XML file and put itin the autounattend.xml file to the root of the Windows install files as well.

For example, if "D:\Windows 11 Install" was moved, copy the autounattend.xml file along with it.

The free version of NTLite is good enough for most cases, I never found a need to use the full version.

AND yes, you do need to use the name autounattend.xml!

EDIT: More information here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/window...s-overview

[CaptButler]

I tried Rufus on many occasions, with many versions of Windows and a bunch of thumb drives. Almost always got a fail and a dead usb drive.

I can easily believe that--over the years, Windoze has developed into a real thumb drive killer.  That's why you should never, ever do a "full format" of a usb in Windoze, it will absolutely permabork it.

[RobertX]

Strange, I never had such problems.

[theSEMAR]

I think disconnecting your computer from the Internet also works.

no you can't. original/untouched ISO of windows 11 22H2 will ask you to connect internet to continue setup process.