WIn 10 pro to win11 pro via rufus

Question

Hi, Starting to think (and dread) to move from Win10 pro x64 to Win11 pro on Optiplex 5000. Really do not want a MS account and login to use my PC. Rufus seems an idea which have read up on here.  Is this option at all? take it need the win11pro ISO and to preserve the activation key after Rufus restes op sys?. Pointers welcome please With thanks Douglas

Chino de Oro · Accepted Answer

@Douggieuk , it can be done and working as you prefer.  Follow this detailed instruction guide. * For the USB installer preparation, download Win 11 24H2 ISO to a working system.  Download the latest Rufus to your working system.  Run Rufus, verify that the USB drive is the device, verify that the boot selection is the Win 11 24H2 ISO you had downloaded.  Leave the rest as default values and select Next.  There should be Windows User Experience screen popup, check box the following:  Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account, and Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption.  Select Next and the creating of Windows installer should start. * For Windows installation, first disconnect the ethernet cable from your PC.  Second, access BIOS settings and set to default values, then verify to enable UEFI boot mode, Secure Boot is ON, TPM is ON.  Next, plug in the USB installer and restart your PC.  Instantly keep tapping on F12 to access one time boot menu.  Select the USB drive in UEFI boot group.  Follow and confirm the process to install Windows 11.  On some systems, the selection of boot drive is blank, you must prepare RTS driver separately to load driver in this case.  After selecting the boot drive, your system will install Windows.  When it get to the screen to sign in Microsoft account, just select I don't have internet (lower, in the bottom of your screen) and a new option provided for you to create user name (for your local account).  On the next screen to create password, you can hit Enter key to leave it blank.  That will allow your system to boot straight into Windows without any sign in.  On the next Privacy screen, uncheck all 6 of them (to protect your privacy) and allow the installation to complete. After Windows installation is complete and the first Windows screen is ready, select option in system tray to remove USB drive.  Select to open settings and disable One Drive from start up every time the computer starts.  Then use Disk management to create, add any additional HDD/SSD you have.  Select Settings and go through each category to customize your Windows appearance and settings including time zone.  Rename the computer name from default name to something unique to you.  Restart the PC as a requirement after name change.  Plug in a USB or external drive that was prepared with your system drivers.  Start to install the chipset driver first, restart and install Intel ME driver next.  Remove the USB or external drive then reboot system. Now, you can connect your ethernet cable.  After about 10 seconds, the icon should change, indicating you are online.  Right click on select network and internet settings.  Change the network Properties from Public to Private network, and your computer should be in your home network. Run Windows settings and verify if your system is activated, time and location are correct (run Sync if needed).  Finally, run Windows update and install all remaining drivers, checking in Advance to install all optional updates as well. Next is to install your apps, browsers, and any additional drivers for your peripherals and devices. Note that, when needed, you can log in to any Microsoft account and/or Google account.  After the session is finish, you can log out and your PC is back to local account again.

Chino de Oro · Accepted Answer

No, you must extract the driver first.  But, you can choose either to put the Intel RST extracted folder on a separate USB drive or on the same Windows installer USB.  Then, it must be plugged in to the machine prior to running Windows installation. Hopefully this instructions will help.  Go to Dell drivers support page for your system.  Download the Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Driver-and-Application_8J2F4_WIN64_19.5.1.1040_A02_04.EXE driver.  Double click the downloaded file to run, then select EXTRACT (not INSTALL).  Browse and create a new folder and name it Intel RST for example, to hold the extract contents.  Copy that extracted RST folder to USB drive of your choice and use it during Windows installation.  At the screen to select boot drive, select to load driver and browse to the driver directory, for example:  X:\INTELRST\production\Windows10-x64\15063\Drivers\VMD, then click on option to install.  The screen should be refresh with your system HDD/SSD identified by Disk 0, Disk 1, and so on. After the screen refresh with all the drives, select every partitions on all Disks and delete them, except for your USB drive.  Then, select unallocated space Disk for your boot drive to select and to confirm your Windows installation.

ejn63 · Answer

It should be sufficient to do the upgrade offline (disconnect completely from the Internet).  That's generally how one does a Windows 11 install using a local account.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi I run Tiny11 with no Microsoft account, on TWO laptops.  I did use Rufus for the install. No actual internet required, BUT be aware that the BitLocker key cannot be put into your MS account, and so encryption will, likely, not be happening. Hope this helps... https://www.elevenforum.com/search/638852/?q=install+w11+pro+with+a+local+account&o=relevance

Douggieuk · Answer

Many thanks for this. Will look up Tiny11, not heard of this. The elenforum looks a useful source of into too, not found that yet! I was unsure if setting up offline then when installed MS would insist on completing the setup in some reports? Last time tried win 11 on new dell, after repeated attempts, dell done online repair... or tried, they informed send the pc back.  Again thnaks very useful.

Douggieuk · Answer

@ejn63​  Ok thanks will try this, always thought that when went online it would insist on an account Thanks

anne_droid · Answer

@Douggieuk​  Because you are using a LOCAL account, you may get prompted for 3 memorable pieces of info... First School Oldest Cousin Childhood Nickname for password recovery, as it wont be recoverable from any online source. https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/22/tiny11_builder_update/ https://www.howtogeek.com/836157/how-to-use-windows-11-with-a-local-account/

Douggieuk · Answer

Hi, Great stuff! Thanks so much for taking the effort to do this, great guide. At moment downloading latest apps/programes etc to usb for install later- seprate USB from the Win11 iso! Thanks again you have given me more confidence. Will  Acronis the current disk to SSD in case!

Douggieuk · Answer

@Chino de Oro​   Thanks, can I pester for one more bit of info please? : he selection of boot drive is blank, you must prepare RTS driver separately to load driver I have unzipped the Dell driver to a spare drive wchih I cana dd to the USB ISo/install. Is this correct? If asks for this then i reun the setup? Will be on same driectroy as rest of programs Thanks this is so good of you to help DOug

Douggieuk · Answer

@Chino de Oro​  Thank you again. very comprehensive answer and help. Thisnk am doing the right thing now. I did look for this but hard to parse the correct search string. progress this next week. Many thanks and good of you  to spend time helping

austren4 · Answer

Yes, Rufus works to install Win11 Pro without a Microsoft account. Use the Win11 Pro ISO, create a bootable USB, and pick 'Offline account' during setup. Activation key should stay if upgrading.

Douggieuk · Answer

@austren4​  Hi Thanks for reply. Looks good, nice to get reassurance from you too, appreciate it

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