Skippin’ the internet setup in Windows 11 might seem like a tiny thing, but it actually saves you heaps of hassle, especially if you just wanna get into the OS without fussing over Wi-Fi straight off the bat. During setup, Windows really pushes you to connect to a network right away, but there’s a way around it—kind of a cheeky little hack that can come in handy. Here’s how to do it without losing your mind.
How to Skip Internet Setup in Windows 11
The trick is to get to the network connection screen, then use a quick shortcut to open up a command prompt, which lets you bypass this bit. It’s not always dead simple, and sometimes Windows throws a tantrum, but on some setups, it works a treat. Just remember, on certain hardware, you might need to give it a couple of tries or reboot a few times before it works.
Step 1: Start the Setup
Turn on your device and follow the prompts – select your region, keyboard layout, all that. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just get to when it asks for a network connection.
Step 2: Get to the Internet Connection Screen
This is the stage where Windows 11 typically insists you connect, showing a list of Wi-Fi networks. You’ll see the ‘Sign in to network’ screen or similar, and it’s a real pain if you wanna skip. Basically, Windows’ way of saying, “You need internet for this, mate.”
Step 3: Open Command Prompt Shortcut
Here’s the weird part. Hit Shift + F10—that shortcut opens the command prompt right there on the setup screen. On some machines, it might not work straight away or might need a restart or two. But if it does, bingo! You’ve got a command prompt open without completing setup first.
Step 4: Run the Bypass Command
Type in this command: OOBE\BYPASSNRO and hit Enter. That’s supposed to tell Windows to skip the network check. Weird as it sounds, it does the trick. The idea is to tell Windows you’re not ready for online stuff—yet.
Some people have found that on one setup, this command completely bypasses the internet requirement. On others, it only partially works—sometimes it needs a reboot or a second go. Windows can be pretty unpredictable with this hack, so don’t lose faith if it doesn’t work immediately.
Step 5: Reboot and Carry On
Once you run the command, close the command prompt, then restart your PC or let it reboot itself. When it starts back up, you should be able to continue setup without being pushed to connect to Wi-Fi. Now, you can set up a local account or skip signing in altogether.
Be aware, sometimes after this, you might need to go back into setup or run the command again if it gets borked. Typical Windows behaviour—making things tricky.
Tips for Skipping Internet Setup in Windows 11
- Write down that
OOBE\BYPASSNROcommand — might come in handy a few times. - If it doesn’t work straight up, try rebooting or doing the shortcut again. Sometimes persistence is key.
- Consider setting up a local account if you’re avoiding online sign-in for privacy or just quick setup. You can switch to a Microsoft account later if you want.
- Remember, you can always jump online later via Settings > Network & Internet.
- Good ol’ patience helps—sometimes setup takes an extra minute or two when fiddling with bypass hacks like this.
FAQs
Why would I want to skip the internet setup in Windows 11?
It’s handy if you’re on a dodgy or limited internet, or just want to speed through the setup without mucking around with Wi-Fi. Also, some folks prefer to set things up manually or later—especially if they’re re-imaging heaps of machines.
Will skipping the internet setup affect my device’s performance?
Nah, not at all — it just means you won’t get online features straight away. You can still use Windows perfectly offline. Performance stays just right.
Can I switch to a Microsoft account later?
Yeah, no worries. Just connect to Wi-Fi later, then head into Settings > Accounts to add or switch to a Microsoft login.
Is it safe to do this hack?
Yep, as long as you don’t run dodgy scripts from dodgier sources. The command itself is pretty harmless, just telling Windows to skip the network screen.
Can I get updates if I skip the internet?
Not right away. You’ll need to connect later, then Windows will prompt you for updates.
Summary
- Start the Windows setup.
- Wait until you reach the network connection screen.
- Press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt.
- Type
OOBE\BYPASSNROand hit Enter. - Reboot, and you should be able to continue without plugging in Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
This little hack can save ya a bunch of time, especially when setting up a few computers or just want to avoid those endless Wi-Fi prompts. It’s kind of a cheeky workaround, but it does the job. Just keep in mind, sometimes it takes a couple of goes or reboots to get it right, and Windows might throw a wobbly if you’re not quick enough. Hope this helps someone save a bit of grief—it can be pretty frustrating having to deal with Windows’ setup process just to skip the internet step.