That's preferable to Windows 11 *requiring* a cloud account in my book.

hu3 · 2025-03-04T05:55:29 1741067729

I installed Windows 11 last year without cloud account.

Maybe because it's Pro version? I don't remember doing any incantation but it's possible that I didn't connect internet during installation.

tannhaeuser · 2025-03-04T07:11:40 1741072300

It's not possible using the current install process, not even on Windows Pro (tested with a fresh install on a notebook that had a Windows 10 Pro OEM license registered/activated like is typical). The various hacks to trick the process don't work anymore.

hu3 · 2025-03-04T20:24:35 1741119875

Ouch. The only reason I use Windows is because as a consultant clients make me use a bazillion different VPNs which often works better/only in Windows.

Otherwise I would use something like Xubuntu.

So it's sad to know that my next Windows machine will require a Microsoft cloud account.