Windows 11 Pro will soon require a Microsoft Account

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During the initial setup phase, Microsoft says it will need an internet connection and a Microsoft Account. You won't be able to avoid Microsoft Accounts by creating a local user account during setup if the changes mirror the requirements Microsoft added to Windows 11 Home last year.

Microsoft has been pushing Windows users to use a Microsoft Account since Windows 10, and this new change to Windows 11 Pro won't sit well with many hoping to avoid Microsoft's data and telemetry gathering in Windows.

Similar to Windows 11 Home edition, Windows 11 Pro edition now requires internet connection during the initial device setup.

The change will likely be rolled out to Windows 11 Pro in the coming months. Windows 11 Pro users have been able to avoid a Microsoft Account by setting up a local user account instead.

Fresh installations of Windows 11 Pro will require a Microsoft Account and internet connection, and those hoping to avoid that will have to use a dummy Microsoft Account to create a local one afterwards.