Preferably from 2020 onwards and without the need for a mandatory product key/Microsoft account, I’ve already had a lot of headaches because of these two “casualities”!
Download the ISO directly from MS.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10iso
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
Activate using: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts
Not a contributing comment but just wanted to say:
THIS IS THE WAY
For those that needed to hear that.
Massgrave also has links to installation media, notably the LTSC versions. The IoT LTSC is especially nice since it lacks lots of the bloat.
I run this one on my T480 and it was honestly refreshing. I don’t believe the Microsoft store is even enabled by default which was a really nice change of pace from all the crap it’s usually got. Just enable what you want… how it should be but instead, “muh CoPilot”.
IoT LTSC still has some bloat (edge), the main advantage of it is that you get 10 years of security updates
Until you get this every single time:
We are unable to complete your request at this time. Some users, entities and locations are banned from using this service. For this reason, leveraging anonymous or location hiding technologies when connecting to this service is not generally allowed. If you believe that you encountered this problem in error, please try again. If the problem persists you may contact Microsoft Support
Yeah I’ve run into some issues with that page. This site has some direct links to MS servers maybe it’ll work for you.
I see, it links to https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 xD
Click MSDL not “Microsoft”
Ah, it does generate actual MS links there. My bad.
Also, I recommend using Chris Titus Tech’s winutil program to disable Telemetry and install some programs (you can even uninstall Edge and the Store, but not recommended)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10iso
For a regular install, use Rufus to make the USB media and it’ll offer a Microsoft account bypass option.
The only once that are harder to get from the official Microsoft website are Enterprise , IoT, LTSC versions. Which IMO are better then the standard home,pro,workstation etc. Also server ISOs are a bit harder to get from their.
Enterprise is just a license level, the standard install will activate it just fine. You’re right that the others are a bit harder to find, usually I go to the mydigitallife forums for those.
Well the install comes with a load less crap pre-installed as well.
All files are official Microsoft ISO files. This has everything you need including explanation and instructions how you can verify its legitimize. and how to activate windows
To bypass the forced Microsoft account you can create a unattend file and pre configure the ISO to make a local account.
To bypass the forced Microsoft account you can create a unattend file and pre configure the ISO to make a local account.
I should have done this when I set up my computer, I had to manually change it after I set up Windows 11. I don’t have anything against logging into my Microsoft account but having the actual account on the computer be a Microsoft account instead of a local account feels wrong. What if my account gets hacked, I’d just lose access to my computer!
Don’t worry, as long as you don’t use bitlocker or backup the bitlocker key it’s trivial to bypass the login on Windows or Linux.
Yes and the better option if you do want to use a Microsoft account. Just login to the apps like onedrive on the local account.
Literally the only reason I log in at all is because I have the Master Chief Collection purchased through the Microsoft Store and Windows always picks up my Windows license once I login
Go to the download page on Microsoft’s site, change users agent to macos or iOS and safari and you can download the ISO directly.
If you are upgrading from 10 you can just mount the ISO and run the setup file. If you need to make a bootable USB use Rufus.
DISCONNECT FROM THE INTERNET AND DO NOT CONNECT UNTIL YOU ARE ON THE DESKTOP LOGGED INTO A LOCAL ACCOUNT
For local account creation, when oobe setup starts hit shift f10 and in the cmd prompt type oobe\bypassnro and press enter. When it prompts for a network connection choose I don’t have internet.
+1 to this, you don’t have to activate. You get an activation watermark at the bottom right hand corner, not a big deal
Just use the Microsoft Activation Scripts. Microsoft literally tells you to use them if there’s a problem with your product key.
You can download certain iso files directly from windows:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/
Edit: also cant you skip account creation and license key on every version? literally skipped those yesterday on an OEM preinstalled win 11
Disconnect the network to force it to do local account creation.
They “fixed” that now though.
But
Shift + F10 to open CMDcd oobe bypassnroThe machine will reboot and let you skip network setup. But do not connect to a network yet!
If you do connect to a network. Shift+F10 again and
netsh wlan delete profile name=*WiFi SSID*And reboot.
Just get it from Microsoft. You don’t need a key. Use masgrave for activating
Microsoft bad. There I said it, so all the crazy Linux people won’t. You’re welcome!
Thank you. My fingers started to itch real badly! I use Arch by the way
OMG here’s a five paragraph comment on how that’s the wrong distro for you
Well actually the distro I’m using, EndeavourOS, has its benefits… Here’s a link to my 1 hr rant on why you should switch from Arch link
ah yes my old friend! good ol’ XcQ
We’ve been called out, but deservedly so.
Heeey ! Take that back !! We aren’t crazy, just different. Thats cool, just enjoy what ever you think is good for your mental health !
Just like some people love healthy meals and other can’t live without processed food 😏
Are we really still the crazy ones when Microsoft wants to keep a log of screenshots of your desktop?
I know a lot of people like the LTSC version but just a warning, they are slightly different then the regular home and professional versions in terms of policy settings.
This can make it more difficult to use things such as https://github.com/HotCakeX/Harden-Windows-Security
If you are someone interested in trying to harden your windows device but are not familiar enough to change all these policy settings yourself.
