Last Update: 10/9/26
Use this method first. If the command in step 5 doesn't work, switch to the tab.
The first screen asks "Is this the right country or region?" Pick your country (for example, United States) and click Yes.
The next screen asks "Is this the right keyboard layout or input method?" Leave US selected (or your usual keyboard) and click Yes.
When asked "Want to add a second keyboard layout?" click Skip.
You'll see "Let's connect you to a network" with a list of Wi-Fi networks. Don't pick a network. If a network cable is plugged into the computer, unplug it until step 10. Then:
On most laptops, hold Fn as well: Fn + Shift + F10. If nothing happens, click once on the blue setup screen and try again.
In the black window, type this exactly, then press Enter:
start ms-cxh:localonlystart. There are no other spaces.-) and a colon (:).Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26200] C:\Windows\system32>start ms-cxh:localonly
A new window titled "Create a user for this PC" should open within a few seconds.
If the computer restarts or nothing opens, the command is blocked on this PC. Close the black window and follow the tab from step 3.
If you see "Let's name your device", type any name and click Next. Use letters, numbers, or dashes only, no spaces, 15 characters or fewer (for example, MyLaptop).
Not every PC shows this screen. If you don't see it, go to the next step. The PC may restart after you click Next. That's normal.
In the "Create a user for this PC" window, make up your own username and password. Type the password twice, then click Next.
This account is only temporary. We'll delete it once setup is finished, so pick something simple. Just remember it until we connect.
Windows asks for three security questions. Select any question from each drop-down, type any answer, and click Next.
You don't need to remember these answers. They're removed along with the temporary account.
On "Choose privacy settings for your device", set every option to No or Off:
Scroll down to reach all of them. The button says Next until you reach the bottom, then Accept. Click Accept.
You'll see screens like "Hi" and "This might take a few minutes." Don't turn the computer off. It may restart once.
If any screen asks to check for or install Windows updates, click Skip. We'll handle updates later.
When the desktop appears:
Use this method only if the command on the first tab didn't work. You'll create a brand-new, temporary Outlook account just to get through setup.
On "Is this the right country or region?" pick your country and click Yes.
Leave US selected and click Yes. On the next screen, "Want to add a second keyboard layout?", click Skip.
On "Let's connect you to a network", click your Wi-Fi network, enter the Wi-Fi password, click Connect, then click Next. If you use a network cable, plug it in and click Next.
Coming from the first tab? Start here. Close the black Command Prompt window first.
Windows may show "Checking for updates" or offer to download updates. If you see a Skip or Not now button, click it. If there's no button, wait for it to finish.
On "Let's name your device", type any name and click Next. Letters, numbers, or dashes only, no spaces, 15 characters or fewer. The PC restarts afterward. That's normal.
If you see "How would you like to set up this device?", select Set up for personal use and click Next. Some PCs skip this screen.
On "Let's add your Microsoft account", don't type an email. Click Create one (under the email box) instead.
This account is only temporary. We'll remove it once setup is finished. Just remember the email and password until we connect.
When asked to "Create a PIN", click Create PIN and choose any easy number (at least 4 digits). Type it twice and click OK.
If asked to restore apps and settings from a previous PC, choose Set up as a new PC (sometimes under More options) and click Next.
On "Choose privacy settings for your device", set Location, Find my device, Diagnostic data, Inking & typing, Tailored experiences, and Advertising ID all to No. Scroll to the bottom and click Accept.
The next few screens try to set up extras. On each one, click Skip, No thanks, Decline, or Not now:
You'll see "Hi" and "This might take a few minutes." Don't turn the computer off. If any screen asks about Windows updates, click Skip.
When the desktop appears: