How to Install Windows 11 Without the Internet

Are you looking to install Windows 11 but without connecting to the internet? Whilst this might sound overly complicated, if not impossible, it’s actually rather simple. All you need to do is follow a few extra steps, which we’ve compiled in this handy blog post!

Keep on reading to find out more.

Do You Need an Internet Connection to Install Windows 11?

Windows 11 does require you to sign in with your Microsoft account to install the OS. However, if you don’t have an account or internet connection, you can bypass this by following our step-by-step guide detailed below.

How to Install Windows 11 Without the Internet

Via OOBE Internet Requirement

Utilising the Bypass-Out-of-Box Experience (OBEE) you can easily get around the internet requirement. OBEE is a command, OBEE/BYPASSNRO, which when prompted will run a CMD script found within the System32 folder to modify your Windows registry and allow you to download the OS without the internet.

To do this, first begin by booting up your PC via the Windows Installation Media and follow the on-screen instructions. When the Windows Setup pop-up appears, select your chosen language, time, and keyboard input, and then click ‘Install Now’.

Enter your product key to activate Windows 11. If you don’t have a product key, click the ‘I don’t have a product key’ link found in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

If prompted, select the edition of Windows 11 you wish to install, check the tick box to accept the terms and conditions, and then press Next. From here, select ‘Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)’.

It’s now time to choose the drive you want to install your OS on. After this, Windows will need to finish installing the OS, during which your PC will probably restart a few times.

In the set-up screen, select your region and keyboard layout, and continue to follow the on-screen instructions. Once you reach the ‘Let’s Connect You to A Network’ screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt. Here, you’ll need to type, OOBE/BYPASSNRO, and then press Enter.

From here, your PC will restart and launch utilising the OOBE dialogue. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the set-up as listed above. Once you reach the network screen, select ‘I don’t have internet’ and then ‘continue with limited setup’. You’ll also need to accept the terms and conditions in order to create a local account.

We recommend you also create security questions to add another layer of protection to your account and make recovering your data a lot easier if you forget your password. Once you’ve done this, follow the instructions on screen to complete the Windows 11 installation.

Via Task Manager

Alternatively, you can bypass the ‘Let’s Connect You to a Network’ screen by ending the oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe process. As you’ll already have Windows 11 installed, you can simply open Task Manager along with the setup wizard using Command Prompt.

Once in the ‘Let’s Connect You to a Network’ screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type taskmgr to open Task Manager. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Select More Details to open Task Manager in full view and open the Processes tab. Using the search bar, find the Network Connection Flow process. Select this and then click End Task. Wait for the process to end, and then close Task Manager.

Type exit in Command Prompt, and then hit Enter. From here, the installation process will refresh, and you’ll be redirected to the setup wizard. You’ll most likely see a loading animation and then be taken automatically to the next step. Enter your name and password to create your local account and complete the installation.

Once you’ve finished, connect to your Wi-Fi network and then go into Settings > Windows Update to download all the vital security and feature updates. You may even find there are a few icons missing after the initial installation, but Windows will download these later once you connect to the internet.